Does anyone have a list of parts needed to do a dry sump Cam swap on an LS3? This will be my winter project so I want to start getting parts and tools ready to make the job as smooth as possible. Most websites advertise cam kits for wet sump engines. I know there are many things the same but also know there will be differences. If anyone has any experience please let me know. Thank you.

 

It's going to be pretty much the same as a wet sump LS3. The only difference I can think is that you won't need a new cam gear as the dry sump cars already use a 3 bolt cam gear instead of the single bolt cam gear that the wet sump LS3 cars have.

 

Thanks for the info. This is for my 2010 GS M6. I'm thinking while I'm in there might as well upgrade what I can and do it right the first time. I have the BTR springs and Katech c5R Chain, just need to piece together everything else I need to keep the job moving once the motor is opened up. Any recommendations on upgrade parts?

 

I would recommend Johnson 2110R lifters and new oem lifter trays.

When I did my cam, I didn't mess with the timing chain as it wasn't necessary. I also didn't want to risk messing up the gasket. On the dry sump cars, the oil pan is part of the oiling system and part of the oil pan gasket has passages and seals the pump to the oil pan oil passages. So to change out the chain, the pump has to come off which requires the pan to be loosened enough to allow for the pump to slide off. If not careful, you can nick the gasket and potentially cause an oil leak. So not a bad idea to have an oil pan gasket on hand just in case.

I would high recommend upgrading to a better Harmonic Dampener as well. I have the PowerBond Race. There are other excellent ones as well. Just make sure it is for a dry sump car; it will be the same part number as a C6 with LS7.

And not a bad idea to pin the crank while you are at it.

 

Curious what you setup is...? I bought the car late summer and only put a couple hundred miles on it, before it was put away for winter projects. Car has 56K miles on it. I wonder if changing the chain will be necessary?

 

My car is a 2011 Grand Sport with manual trans. Was stock when I purchased it. But I installed an Edelbrock Eforce on at a about 25K miles (currently 45K miles). I have Kooks headers as well. Installed a twin disc Monster LT1-S clutch at the same time as the supercharger. Last year I replaced the lifters with some Johnson 2110R's and at the same time installed an LS9 cam. Installed a few cooling upgrades for the supercharger system such as larger heat exchanger, supercharger spacer plates, larger cooling system reservoir. I also installed a full interior insulation kit for sound and heat isolation.

Currently sitting at 560 wheel hp.

As for the timing chain, I doubt it is necessary on a low mileage car. I've done cam installs on 3 different LS powered cars typically with 30 to 45K miles. Every single one's timing chains looked brand new with no detectable wear or stretch. The first cam install I did, I had purchased a chain but when I opened the engine, it was obvious the stock chain was perfect. When I did the LS9 cam swap on my GS, the existing chain was in perfect condition as well and that was with about 15K miles with the supercharger.

I don't think it is a bad idea to change out a timing chain with a cam install, but I don't think it is necessary in most cases.

A nice upgrade (if you will be pulling the heads) would be to use head studs instead of head bolts. I installed an ARP head stud kit. The studs have more clamping force as it uses the entire length of threads of the block as well as having more even clamping force. It's a bi overkill but is a nice piece of kit.

 

Sounds like you have a nice setup. You are one of several who have told me that timing chain isn't a must as long as it's in good condition. I may just leave it alone. My car already has the ATI dampner upgrade, done before i purchased it, but I haven't dug into it far enough to see if it has been pinned or not. I may go ahead and do this while I have it off just in case I decide to boost it eventually. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

 

I have a 2012 GS M6 29k odometer. I had a Corvette mechanic do all my engine work including a Cam Motion LS3 TITAN II camshaft. I opted for the Katech C5R timing chain just because. Also, the LS2 timing chain guide design is preferred over the LS3 unit that has a spring that usually pops out of place and ends up in the oil pan. My mechanic also installed genuine GM LS7 lifters and trays, his parts source is dead reliable verified not to sell the Chinese knock-off LS7 lifters and he has installed the verified genuine GM LS7 lifters in many many LS cam builds and never had an issue.
I have not had a single issue with my drive train and i run my cammed LS3 to redline every time i drive it.

Good luck on your build and enjoy that LS3 !

 

Thanks for the info. I'll be doing all the labor, but needed some experience in what parts I will be needing and diving into. Been talking to a gentleman at BTR and has recommended the new version Stage 2 cam for my application. Pat G, also speaks highly of it. GM LS7 lifter were mentioned as well, so I'm glad to hear you are having good luck with them. I'm still on the fence about the timing chain, but I should probably do the LS2 Damper as stated. Wonder if I should worry about the cam gears as well. Do you have a link to the LS2 chain guide?

 

The dry sump cars (GS manual coupes, Z06, ZR1) already have the LS2 style of dampener so your car already has it. And I can confirm this when I opened up my engine.

 

when i swapped my cam i put a new katech chain in it. you have to remove the oil pump. i did this by loosening all the oil pan bolts to slide the pump off without hurting the gasket. worked great the 2nd time when i pulled the cam out and put the stock one back in.

 

Any special tools anyone recommends
to make life a little easier? HB install/removal tool, valve seal tool, spring compressors, ect...?

 

Plus one for the LS2 chain guide, def a good idea while your there. My thing with chains has always been their cheap enough and its extra insurance. Granted I've never really seen one fail but why not just incase. In that same breath we use to use sloppy worn out stock chains on worn out 5.3s and throw moon-boost at them and never had one break (broke alot of other stuff but never a chain).

 

Haha! Right...yeah I like to throw caution to the wind whenever possible. I see your in Charlestown. I live in Pendleton and went to College at Shepherd early 2000's.

 

Oh shoot man, small world lol, I havent been out that way in awhile but we've hit some backroads out there before. Pretty country

 

Yessir, sure is. Lots of fun roads to cruise around in the mountains. I put together a road rally this past October from Harrisonburg across 250 and back to Franklin. Alot of cool cars involved. I'll let you know when we get another together in the spring if you want to join. Thanks for the info again!

 

Yeah man for sure, I live for that kinda stuff, let me know!

 

Absolutely! Will do!