LS3 Head Cam Swap - Parts List
#21
#23
Melting Slicks
These are torque to yield so pretty much like the stock GM bolts. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I would spend the extra $60 and go ARP.
Last edited by MYCoupe; 05-24-2018 at 07:37 PM.
#24
#26
Everything is starting to come together. Got cam spec'd, heads are going off to Tony Mamo tomorrow. Rick Crawford is working the intake and throttle body, I've begun ordering most of the additional parts as well.
3 bolt cam gear with LS2 chain and ls2 style chain dampener will be going on, as I'm convinced that the timing chain issue can be averted through use of the ls2 style dampener and a quality harmonic balancer.
ARP Head Bolts ordered (got a smokin memorial dat deal on ebay for $106 shipped).
I still need to order the pulley. Everyone says powerbond is good, but ATI is best. Not sure if I need to pay double for "the best" here (open to opinions though).
Still completely clueless on what to do regarding lifters. at 65,000 miles, I'm very much on the fence as to whether or not these need to be replaced on a ~500whp build. Opinions appreciated here as well.
I think I'm going to skip the oil pump for now, as it seems to be a bit of a pain in the neck to install, and if I start going down the list of "things that might not be a bad idea to replace while you're in there", it adds up to $1,000 bucks quick. I'm not trying to do this on the cheap, but I am hoping to do this for as close to $5k as possible.
Still debating on what oil I should be using with the cam as well. I currently run 0w40 castrol, but understand that a high zinc oil can benefit a cammed car. Anyone got suggestions based on experience here?
The last thing I'm considering is the z06 oil cooler that I have had laying around for a year now. I want to make keeping the car cool a priority. The car currently has the z51 stock oil cooler on it, but I think a little extra cooling capacity would go a long way at the track and in the mountains, especially on a hot day.
Thanks again to all of you guys who have been sharing your experiences and advice as I go through this process. It's really awesome that I have this kind of a resource when planning out something like this.
Daniel
3 bolt cam gear with LS2 chain and ls2 style chain dampener will be going on, as I'm convinced that the timing chain issue can be averted through use of the ls2 style dampener and a quality harmonic balancer.
ARP Head Bolts ordered (got a smokin memorial dat deal on ebay for $106 shipped).
I still need to order the pulley. Everyone says powerbond is good, but ATI is best. Not sure if I need to pay double for "the best" here (open to opinions though).
Still completely clueless on what to do regarding lifters. at 65,000 miles, I'm very much on the fence as to whether or not these need to be replaced on a ~500whp build. Opinions appreciated here as well.
I think I'm going to skip the oil pump for now, as it seems to be a bit of a pain in the neck to install, and if I start going down the list of "things that might not be a bad idea to replace while you're in there", it adds up to $1,000 bucks quick. I'm not trying to do this on the cheap, but I am hoping to do this for as close to $5k as possible.
Still debating on what oil I should be using with the cam as well. I currently run 0w40 castrol, but understand that a high zinc oil can benefit a cammed car. Anyone got suggestions based on experience here?
The last thing I'm considering is the z06 oil cooler that I have had laying around for a year now. I want to make keeping the car cool a priority. The car currently has the z51 stock oil cooler on it, but I think a little extra cooling capacity would go a long way at the track and in the mountains, especially on a hot day.
Thanks again to all of you guys who have been sharing your experiences and advice as I go through this process. It's really awesome that I have this kind of a resource when planning out something like this.
Daniel
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Navy Blue 210 (05-28-2018)
#27
Melting Slicks
I would just go with the Powerbond HB. That's what I'll be using when I do my heads/cam swap. I'm also going to use the LS2 timing chain dampener along with Iwis seamless timing chain and LS2 cam gear (switching to 3 bolt).
As for lifters with that kind of mileage you can probably get away with what you have, but since they entail head removal for replacement it would be a wise move to do so now. I think stock LS7 lifters (and new plastic guides as well) would work well for you. These can be had as a "kit" on eBay for a little over $100.
As for lifters with that kind of mileage you can probably get away with what you have, but since they entail head removal for replacement it would be a wise move to do so now. I think stock LS7 lifters (and new plastic guides as well) would work well for you. These can be had as a "kit" on eBay for a little over $100.
Last edited by MYCoupe; 05-28-2018 at 03:27 PM.
#28
I would just go with the Powerbond HB. That's what I'll be using when I do my heads/cam swap. I'm also going to use the LS2 timing chain dampener along with Iwis seamless timing chain and LS2 cam gear (switching to 3 bolt).
As for lifters with that kind of mileage you can probably get away with what you have, but since they entail head removal for replacement it would be a wise move to do so now. I think stock LS7 lifters (and new plastic guides as well) would work well for you. These can be had as a "kit" on eBay for a little over $100.
As for lifters with that kind of mileage you can probably get away with what you have, but since they entail head removal for replacement it would be a wise move to do so now. I think stock LS7 lifters (and new plastic guides as well) would work well for you. These can be had as a "kit" on eBay for a little over $100.
I thought LS7 and LS3 lifters were the same part?
#29
Pro
Everything is starting to come together. Got cam spec'd, heads are going off to Tony Mamo tomorrow. Rick Crawford is working the intake and throttle body, I've begun ordering most of the additional parts as well.
3 bolt cam gear with LS2 chain and ls2 style chain dampener will be going on, as I'm convinced that the timing chain issue can be averted through use of the ls2 style dampener and a quality harmonic balancer.
ARP Head Bolts ordered (got a smokin memorial dat deal on ebay for $106 shipped).
I still need to order the pulley. Everyone says powerbond is good, but ATI is best. Not sure if I need to pay double for "the best" here (open to opinions though)
Still completely clueless on what to do regarding lifters. at 65,000 miles, I'm very much on the fence as to whether or not these need to be replaced on a ~500whp build. Opinions appreciated here as well.
Still debating on what oil I should be using with the cam as well. I currently run 0w40 castrol, but understand that a high zinc oil can benefit a cammed car. Anyone got suggestions based on experience here?
Thanks again to all of you guys who have been sharing your experiences and advice as I go through this process. It's really awesome that I have this kind of a resource when planning out something like this.
Daniel
3 bolt cam gear with LS2 chain and ls2 style chain dampener will be going on, as I'm convinced that the timing chain issue can be averted through use of the ls2 style dampener and a quality harmonic balancer.
ARP Head Bolts ordered (got a smokin memorial dat deal on ebay for $106 shipped).
I still need to order the pulley. Everyone says powerbond is good, but ATI is best. Not sure if I need to pay double for "the best" here (open to opinions though)
Still completely clueless on what to do regarding lifters. at 65,000 miles, I'm very much on the fence as to whether or not these need to be replaced on a ~500whp build. Opinions appreciated here as well.
Still debating on what oil I should be using with the cam as well. I currently run 0w40 castrol, but understand that a high zinc oil can benefit a cammed car. Anyone got suggestions based on experience here?
Thanks again to all of you guys who have been sharing your experiences and advice as I go through this process. It's really awesome that I have this kind of a resource when planning out something like this.
Daniel
PM Sent.
#30
Melting Slicks
#31
Racer
#34
Racer
Daniel.....there's no such thing as "overkill" when it come to quality parts; especially quality MOVING parts.
Just sayin'.
KW
Last edited by KW Baraka; 06-01-2018 at 03:18 AM.
#35
Burning Brakes
I would add a cam position sensor to that list. I just had everything apart and my cps is going out. Would have been 35 seconds to replace with the motor out.
Maybe crank position sensor too but the cam seems to seems to have a shorter lifespan
Maybe crank position sensor too but the cam seems to seems to have a shorter lifespan
#36
Safety Car
GM Racing
if you want the best GM lifters get p/n 88958689 kit developed for 24hr Corvette endurance racing.good for 8,000 rpm.shop around and you can find them for $300. for the set
Last edited by irok; 06-01-2018 at 10:29 AM.
#37
sure there is. You can spend 3000 bucks on lifters and rockers. For a motor spinning 7200rpm, neither of these are going to be week points if you invest in hardware that costs a third of that. There’s a difference between spending wisely and cheaping out.
#38
Racer
But hey......your engine.
KW
#39
at this point I'm talking about the difference between morel and johhnson lifters. The same thing would apply to the YT vs Jezel Rocker setup. I don't think that picking either of the two "lesser" choices there, is cheaping out.
#40
A couple of questions about cooling.
First, GPI offers a heat shield deal on the bottom of your intake manifold that supposedly helps with heat soak around the intake air. Anyone have experience with this? Is it something worth doing? I could definitley see where it might knock a few degrees off IAT's.
Second, what do you guys think about the z51 > z06 oil cooler upgrade? I already have a z06 oil cooler laying around. Just wondering if I should sell it or install it.
Third, 160 degree t stat? Alot of people argue about these, but I see the value. It should definitely keep your AVERAGE temp for a 30 minute hpde session down. I'm not going to be running any endurance races, so I feel like this could be valuable for me.
Fourth, anyone have experience with upgraded radiator or fans? Is this overkill for my application? I realize I'm not going to be overheating with this setup and my use case, but I'd really like to minimize heat while running hard, to prevent the PCM from pulling too much timing due to IAT's.
Any other cooling suggestions?
Daniel
First, GPI offers a heat shield deal on the bottom of your intake manifold that supposedly helps with heat soak around the intake air. Anyone have experience with this? Is it something worth doing? I could definitley see where it might knock a few degrees off IAT's.
Second, what do you guys think about the z51 > z06 oil cooler upgrade? I already have a z06 oil cooler laying around. Just wondering if I should sell it or install it.
Third, 160 degree t stat? Alot of people argue about these, but I see the value. It should definitely keep your AVERAGE temp for a 30 minute hpde session down. I'm not going to be running any endurance races, so I feel like this could be valuable for me.
Fourth, anyone have experience with upgraded radiator or fans? Is this overkill for my application? I realize I'm not going to be overheating with this setup and my use case, but I'd really like to minimize heat while running hard, to prevent the PCM from pulling too much timing due to IAT's.
Any other cooling suggestions?
Daniel