FU's 5.3 to L9H 6.2 thread

[FrankU]

I posted in a thread about wanting to change the cam etc on my DOD 5.3. By the time I got done with everything (parts gaskets time etc) finding a L9H 6.2 was a no brainer for me. So I waited and found a good deal on a L9H with verified miles. Yesterday we fired the L9H up with the 5.3 BB tune. Glad I made the decision to do the swap. I'm going to wait till I find a good VVT cam etc to get the retune done at BB. Texas speed has been out of 8620 cam blanks and I'm also hearing some negative responses about they're cams , but that's from internet cowboys.Can anyone post up about experience with mild VVT camshaft on a L9H both good and bad ? Thanks

AND it begins !!

 

[Foggy]

I'll be watching this as I want to do a non DOD cam in my 14, but retain
the VVT for milage/drivability.
I looked at the Gwatney performance website, but no real info on their cams

 

[mikeyss]

I just ordered a TSP VVT cam for my L9H with the normal core since the 8620 core was out of stock. It's going to be at least a month until I install it though, I'm waiting on ARH Headers and some other small parts.

 

[Foggy]

I just ordered a TSP VVT cam for my L9H with the normal core since the 8620 core was out of stock. It's going to be at least a month until I install it though, I'm waiting on ARH Headers and some other small parts.

What are the specs that you ordered on your cam???

 

[mikeyss]

What are the specs that you ordered on your cam???

Here's the specs:

 

[Foggy]

thanks.. that would be too big for me.. you will need a good tune

 

[R3cord303]

thanks.. that would be too big for me.. you will need a good tune

I did Texas Speed's Low lift Stage 2 cam in my 07 and freaking love it. I'm sure they have something like it for the 09+ engines with VVT. its 212/218 @ 550 lift. Funny enough that before doing that cam and the 2" Rough Country leveling spacers, my combined average MPG didn't change at all. I did have a custom dyno tune done, though I need it to be re done now that there's more miles on it.

 

[swathdiver]

I did Texas Speed's Low lift Stage 2 cam in my 07 and freaking love it. I'm sure they have something like it for the 09+ engines with VVT. its 212/218 @ 550 lift. Funny enough that before doing that cam and the 2" Rough Country leveling spacers, my combined average MPG didn't change at all. I did have a custom dyno tune done, though I need it to be re done now that there's more miles on it.

Time slips yet?

 

[R3cord303]

Time slips yet?

Man between covid and getting my shit wrecked at work I could go for hitting up woodburn. Im gonna try and see if the guy that tuned it would be down to go to test n tune after covid is over

 

[FrankU]

Brand: COMP Cams

Manufacturer's Part Number: 156-401-13

Part Type: Camshafts

Product Line: COMP Cams XFI SPR GM Gen IV VVT Camshafts

Summit Racing Part Number: CCA-156-401-13


UPC: 036584197560

Cam Style: Hydraulic roller tappet

Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,600-6,700

Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214

Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 228

Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214 int./228 exh.

Advertised Intake Duration: 267

Advertised Exhaust Duration: 281

Advertised Duration: 267 int./281 exh.

Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.559 in.

Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.571 in.

Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.559 int./0.571 exh.

Lobe Separation (degrees): 114

Camshaft Gear Attachment: 1-bolt

Computer-Controlled Compatible: Yes

** This is one of the camshafts I'm considering

 

[FrankU]

Here is another cam I'm considering. Both cams are very similar. This TFS cam is proven itself very worthy also:

Brand: Trick Flow Specialties

Manufacturer's Part Number: TFS-30602001

Part Type: Camshafts

Product Line: Trick Flow® Track Max® Hydraulic Roller Camshafts for GM LS

Summit Racing Part Number: TFS-30602001


UPC: 842645107092

Cam Style: Hydraulic roller tappet

Basic Operating RPM Range: 2,000-6,000

Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 216

Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 220

Duration at 050 inch Lift: 216 int./220 exh.

Advertised Intake Duration: 285

Advertised Exhaust Duration: 292

Advertised Duration: 285 int./292 exh.

Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.560 in.

Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.560 in.

Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.560 int./0.560 exh.

Lobe Separation (degrees): 114

Camshaft Gear Attachment: 3-bolt

Computer-Controlled Compatible: Yes

Valve Springs Required: Yes

 

[FrankU]

Looks like camshaft # 1 for the win for my application.

 

[91RS]

Brand: COMP Cams

Manufacturer's Part Number: 156-401-13

Part Type: Camshafts

Product Line: COMP Cams XFI SPR GM Gen IV VVT Camshafts

Summit Racing Part Number: CCA-156-401-13


UPC: 036584197560

Cam Style: Hydraulic roller tappet

Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,600-6,700

Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214

Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 228

Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214 int./228 exh.

Advertised Intake Duration: 267

Advertised Exhaust Duration: 281

Advertised Duration: 267 int./281 exh.

Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.559 in.

Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.571 in.

Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.559 int./0.571 exh.

Lobe Separation (degrees): 114

Camshaft Gear Attachment: 1-bolt

Computer-Controlled Compatible: Yes

** This is one of the camshafts I'm considering

I have this cam sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get time to install it. My tuner recommended it for me because I still want to use mine as a truck when I need to and drive it on trips, he said it's good for 50hp. I decided to go with PSI valve springs. My father-in-law bought the Gwatney Stage 1 VVT cam for his truck when they were doing a sale a few weeks ago so I'll be very interested to see how they turn out.

 

[FrankU]

That Comp cam # 156-401-13 is on back order 4-6 week wait.

Have to get onto the exhaust. The stock 5.3 exhaust Y after the cat's is a huge bottle neck (see below pictures) I know that a set of long tubes is really the way to go but been there done that too many times. See the difference where the head pipes merge ?

5.3

6.2

I was thinking of getting a 6.2 exhaust and a cat back system to let this L9H breathe a bit better.

 

[91RS]

Just get long tube headers.

 

[FrankU]

AC spark plug gap supposed to be out of the box gap of .40 all 8 were gapped at a tight .35
Verified the tight .35 with a flat then a wire guage.

 

[swathdiver]

That Comp cam # 156-401-13 is on back order 4-6 week wait.

Have to get onto the exhaust. The stock 5.3 exhaust Y after the cat's is a huge bottle neck (see below pictures) I know that a set of long tubes is really the way to go but been there done that too many times. See the difference where the head pipes merge ?
View attachment 249830

5.3

View attachment 249831

6.2

I was thinking of getting a 6.2 exhaust and a cat back system to let this L9H breathe a bit better.

Magnaflow cats and Y-Pipe is a thing of beauty and flows great. Was good for seven horsepower on my truck.

 

[ls1frc]

Any advice on best way to do the swap?

 

[swathdiver]

Any advice on best way to do the swap?

Que?

 

[ls1frc]

Que?

Was wondering how OP did the swap. Driveway with hand tools and hoist?