Cam Comparison LS3-LS9

[L92 OLDS]

 

[Texas82GP]

You won't need push rods. You won't need lifters. You won't need valve cover gaskets. You don't need a cam retainer plate. All you need is a cam, cam gear, matching valve springs and a timing cover. It is possible (I wouldn't) to reuse the timing cover gasket, like you, I believe the cover comes with a gasket and bolts. This is assuming you leave the heads on and do the 'Russian Roulette' style cam swap. This is what we did on my brother's 20k mile L96 6.0. Everything was like new. I think I saw in another thread you picked up the LS3 accessory drive. You will need a balancer if it didn't come with one as the pully depth is shallower than the truck.

 

[Dinosport]

Add up what you will have into the VVT delete, non VVT cam with pushrods and springs. Then compare it to the Texas Speed VVT 1 or 2 kit. I bet you'll be within a couple hundred dollars. Maybe I asked this already but why delete VVT? Especially if you're worried about losing power down low....Just sayin.

I do know the benefits of vvt but I don't have the ecu that will control the vvt. I probably am gonna go carb actually. Again I highly sweat by efi but I'm probably gonna go carb. I just want to keep it as simple as possible. I know for sure I'll be gathering parts slowly for a future make over but I want it to run on the mean time.

 

[Dinosport]

You won't need push rods. You won't need lifters. You won't need valve cover gaskets. You don't need a cam retainer plate. All you need is a cam, cam gear, matching valve springs and a timing cover. It is possible (I wouldn't) to reuse the timing cover gasket, like you, I believe the cover comes with a gasket and bolts. This is assuming you leave the heads on and do the 'Russian Roulette' style cam swap. This is what we did on my brother's 20k mile L96 6.0. Everything was like new. I think I saw in another thread you picked up the LS3 accessory drive. You will need a balancer if it didn't come with one as the pully depth is shallower than the truck.

I have a corvette set up. Don't remember what year butnit looks similar to the set up on an ls2 gto. I was planning on trying the Russian roulette method. Lol what have you to lose worst case you have to take the head off anyway.
Thanks for all the input guys. I'll stick with the ls3 cam. Either one will cost me about the same so I figured I would ask to see what opinions I got on them. The slightly higher lower end will probably be better for me. I doubt the motor will see anything above 5500 very often. Well maybe once or twice maybe lol.

 

[Texas82GP]

I saw where a guy used telescoping magnets to aid with the 'Russian Roulette' approach to hold the lifters up from above. You shouldn't need that on a 20k mile motor but be ready to go right back in with the replacement cam when you do the swap.

 

[Dinosport]

I saw where a guy used telescoping magnets to aid with the 'Russian Roulette' approach to hold the lifters up from above. You shouldn't need that on a 20k mile motor but be ready to right back in with the replacement cam when you do the swap.

You know I was actually thinking that about the magnets but never seen that anybody posted using magnets. I have a truck full of them being a Matco dealer.

 

[pmoore4321]

Is the engine in the car already? If not, why play Russian Roulette? Just flip the engine over on the stand.

 

[Texas82GP]

Is the engine in the car already? If not, why play Russian Roulette? Just flip the engine over on the stand.

Because I lack imagination. Great, common sense idea.