LS3 engine swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Apharaoh06 · 05-04-2024, 11:17 AM

Anyone swap their L99 block for a LS3 block?

Looking at possibly doing a LS3 swap vs. a AFM/DOD delete and conversion with a stage 1 cam.

Not really looking for crazy horsepower. Just thinking about using a new GM block, which go for about 6 grand and using my l99 intake and accessories.

Would everything just bolt up to the block. Of course I know I need a new flex plate.

Reason I am considering this, is doing a AFM/DOD delete would only be a few new parts, vs a complete new short block vs. my 50k miles on my L99.

ChibiBlackSheep · 05-04-2024, 05:23 PM

Yep, had my L99 built and it blew up on the dyno.

Got a crate LS3, built that and had that installed instead of putting another L99 in there.

Apharaoh06 · 05-04-2024, 07:53 PM

Want to remove those weak lifters. They are not natural, may be durable, maybe not. Mixed reviews. Trying to keep it as old school as possible.

morepowerjoe · 05-05-2024, 07:26 AM

I think your l99 is still like new at 50k not unless you've never changed your oil or something like that. I would be a hell of a lot cheaper to build the l99 than to buy a new ls3. For $6000 you could pay someone to do your dod delete for you tuning and all. And if you do I would keep your vvt.

acutron42 · 05-05-2024, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I think your l99 is still like new at 50k not unless you've never changed your oil or something like that. I would be a hell of a lot cheaper to build the l99 than to buy a new ls3. For $6000 you could pay someone to do your dod delete for you tuning and all. And if you do I would keep your vvt.

I agree 100%! There are tried & true L99 combinations here. If you search Google: camaro5 L99 cam upgrade you will find a lot of info. It all depends on your budget & what you want.

acammer · 05-06-2024, 07:47 AM

OP - unless you're looking to go towards the max effort end of the spectrum (and your posts do not seem to indicate that) then deleting the AFM system and keeping the VVT system with a modest camshaft and quality lifters eliminates the weak point of the L99, while keeping it's stand-out feature. VVT is not failure prone, and provides a means to broaden the power curve and driveability that the LS3 does not offer. 50k miles is not high miles, and you're talking about a pretty major investment in an LS3 swap to "solve" a potential problem. You can spend less money and come away with a higher performing, more reliable result.

gtstorey · 05-06-2024, 08:11 AM

If you are going to buy an LS3 bottom end, get it, preserve it, and keep it until (if) the lifters fail. You aren't saving much of anything doing it before the lifters fail.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 05-07-2024, 04:51 PM

Guys,

Thanks for the reports, and please, in the future, just report any thread crapping and name calling.

I appreciate it. I edited one post and removed any that included quotes. Carry on...

acutron42 · 05-07-2024, 09:16 PM

Thank you SSE 4 2SS & Now back to the op. acammer nails these combos. I think the one thing to consider if you have the budget would be going a bit bigger with the cam & a higher stall tc especially with retaining the vvt. No matter what you do a great tune is a must no matter what you choose.

acammer · 05-08-2024, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

Guys,

Thanks for the reports, and please, in the future, just report any thread crapping and name calling.

I appreciate it. I edited one post and removed any that included quotes. Carry on...

Appreciate your work helping keep the site cleaned up. It's a fairly thankless job, and super important. Seriously - thank you.

InFiD3ViL · Yesterday, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

Yep, had my L99 built and it blew up on the dyno.

Got a crate LS3, built that and had that installed instead of putting another L99 in there.

Similar story for me...ok, not really. I blew my L99 driving through a flooded street, like an absolute moron. Not a good idea, especially if running an OTR Vararam intake. Snapped #7 rod.

Bought a used LS3 with 20k-ish miles, had it refreshed with a light cylinder hone, heads resurfaced, and of course all new gaskets/seals, etc...has been great since. L99 has been on an engine stand in house for 4 years now. Eventually going to have a machine shop inspect the block to see if it's still useable.

05-04-2024, 11:17 AM	#1
Apharaoh06 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Dallas Posts: 18	LS3 engine swap Anyone swap their L99 block for a LS3 block? Looking at possibly doing a LS3 swap vs. a AFM/DOD delete and conversion with a stage 1 cam. Not really looking for crazy horsepower. Just thinking about using a new GM block, which go for about 6 grand and using my l99 intake and accessories. Would everything just bolt up to the block. Of course I know I need a new flex plate. Reason I am considering this, is doing a AFM/DOD delete would only be a few new parts, vs a complete new short block vs. my 50k miles on my L99.

05-04-2024, 05:23 PM	#2
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,097	Yep, had my L99 built and it blew up on the dyno. Got a crate LS3, built that and had that installed instead of putting another L99 in there. __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

05-05-2024, 07:26 AM	#4
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,127	I think your l99 is still like new at 50k not unless you've never changed your oil or something like that. I would be a hell of a lot cheaper to build the l99 than to buy a new ls3. For $6000 you could pay someone to do your dod delete for you tuning and all. And if you do I would keep your vvt. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

05-06-2024, 07:47 AM	#6
acammer GPI Sales Consultant Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS SGM Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Weedsport, NY Posts: 2,820 View My Garage	OP - unless you're looking to go towards the max effort end of the spectrum (and your posts do not seem to indicate that) then deleting the AFM system and keeping the VVT system with a modest camshaft and quality lifters eliminates the weak point of the L99, while keeping it's stand-out feature. VVT is not failure prone, and provides a means to broaden the power curve and driveability that the LS3 does not offer. 50k miles is not high miles, and you're talking about a pretty major investment in an LS3 swap to "solve" a potential problem. You can spend less money and come away with a higher performing, more reliable result. __________________ GPI Max Package 2.0: Brodix BR7 heads/GPI porting, MAX3 cam, ST2116LSR, BSR Max Lift rockers, LS7 LSXR with 103mm TB, Vararam OTR, Mcleod RXT, G-Force/Strange 9" IRS setup with 4.63 gear. 551whp, 11.1@124mph. *Got a question about a GPI product? Feel free to shoot me a message!*

05-07-2024, 04:51 PM	#8
SSE 4 2SS Boosted Moderator Drives: Bone Stock LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Marion Tx Posts: 15,544	Guys, Thanks for the reports, and please, in the future, just report any thread crapping and name calling. I appreciate it. I edited one post and removed any that included quotes. Carry on... __________________ If the car feels like it is on rails, you are probably driving too slow. -Ross Bentley Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you. “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti If you can turn, you ain't going fast enough...

05-04-2024, 07:53 PM	#3
Apharaoh06 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Dallas Posts: 18	Want to remove those weak lifters. They are not natural, may be durable, maybe not. Mixed reviews. Trying to keep it as old school as possible.

05-06-2024, 08:11 AM	#7
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,175	If you are going to buy an LS3 bottom end, get it, preserve it, and keep it until (if) the lifters fail. You aren't saving much of anything doing it before the lifters fail.

05-07-2024, 09:16 PM	#9
acutron42 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: WNY Posts: 736	Thank you SSE 4 2SS & Now back to the op. acammer nails these combos. I think the one thing to consider if you have the budget would be going a bit bigger with the cam & a higher stall tc especially with retaining the vvt. No matter what you do a great tune is a must no matter what you choose. __________________ 2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.