Swapping LS3 long block into my GT

[codebro]

I'm buying a used ls3 long block this week to resurrect my SBM. I'll be doing the labor myself to save money and getting a remote tune from Pat G. It's out of a 2012 Camaro with 12k miles.

I plan to swap everything over from my L76 including the intake, tb, coils etc. Will my oil pan/dipstick and water pump switch over easily?

Pics of the engine (won't include intake/tb/coils/water pump/oil pan):

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Here's my parts list:

- 19256623 GM Intake Manifold Gaskets
- 12630223 GM Water Pump Gasket
- 12617944 Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
- 12612350 Oil Pan Gasket
- 12610141 Valley Cover Gasket
- 12588670 LS2 Chain Damper
- 12633904 Timing Cover Gasket
- 12585673 Timing Cover Seal
- 12586481 3 Bolt Camshaft Timing Gear
- 12584922 Pickup Tube O-Ring
- 12637683 Valve Cover Gaskets
- 12635649 LS3 Harmonic Balancer
- SD3SR602 IWIS Timing Chain
- 234-2503 ARP Crankshaft Damper Bolt
- 130-2101 ARP Intake Manifold Bolts
- 99475-1 Crane Cams Valve Spring Compressor
- 134-1003 ARP Cam Bolts
- 65386 Dorman Plug
- BTR TK001 Trunion Upgrade Kit
- XTD-36L80FM36 6L80E Dipstick
- 80312 Red Line Assembly Lube
- Quick disconnects tool
- ALL10140 Allstar Performance LS Engine Lift Plate
- Balancer Installation Tool
- Permatex Ultra Black RTV Silicone
- Flexplate Locking Tool
- Homemade preluber
- 10296 Melling High Volume Oil Pump
- Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts
- 224/230 .629/.629 114 LSA +4 EPS ET Lobes
- BTR .660" Dual Springs
- BTR Titanium Retainers
- 230-7304 ARP Torque Converter Bolts
- 244-2901 ARP Flexplate Bolts
- 15251488 Auto Trans Oil Cooler Hose O-Ring

[Crazy Paul]

Yes it will all swap over easily.
The Camaro crank balancer will need to go also.

[codebro]

Yes it will all swap over easily.
The Camaro crank balancer will need to go also.

Nice, thanks! What crank balancer should I use? I figured they were the same.

[cynic783]

ls3 is a great engine you will be happy with it

[codebro]

Deleted dupe post

[codebro]

ls3 is a great engine you will be happy with it

That's what I keep hearing. Car has been down for almost 6 months and I'm anxious to get it running again.

Wondering if I should cam it first budget permitting. What do you guys think? What all would I need, just cam, springs and pushrods?

[STL_G8GT]

If it's already been down that long, I'd cam that sucker in a heartbeat!!! You could get away with stock springs with a mild cam, but if you're going to have it apart anyways... might as well put a proper (ie, some real lift) cam in it!

[Crazy Paul]

Nice, thanks! What crank balancer should I use? I figured they were the same.
The offsets are different because Camaro belts run further away from the engine block.
You can see it in the angle of the spokes and the "dish" of the Camaro pulley.
You need to run a G8 V8 pulley.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Blocks/X09PT_8C105_zpse5c02e23.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/Blocks/X09PT_8C105_zpse5c02e23.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Blocks/71129_zps064c7e69.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/Blocks/71129_zps064c7e69.jpg.html)

[codebro]

Thanks for that. Will reuse my balancer and get the arp bolt.

[fengstang]

Is there anyway to get a compression test to make sure the motor is not a lemon?

[codebro]

Way to jinx me jin. no but it's coming with a guarantee from the shop.

[codebro]

The shop offered to deduct $125 off the ls3 if they keep the balancer, valve covers and valley cover. Will the L76 valley cover be a direct swap on the LS3?

[G8 GT V8]

You'll need the LS3 valley cover. L76 valley cover is setup for DOD which your new engine does not have.

[codebro]

You'll need the LS3 valley cover. L76 valley cover is setup for DOD which your new engine does not have.

Thank you. In addition would you guys plug that valve in the L76 oil pan?

[G8 GT V8]

Thank you. In addition would you guys plug that valve in the L76 oil pan?
Not a bad idea to do, while you have it off.

[codebro]

Engine is crated and ready to ship. Should have it early next week.

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[Greg@PacePerformance]

You won't be able to use the Camaro water pump or TB either. ;)
Edit :)
Need to learn to read complete posts lol

[codebro]

You won't be able to use the Camaro water pump or TB either. ;)
Edit :)
Need to learn to read complete posts lol

Ha that's ok. :thumbsup:

Update:

Ordered a bunch of parts tonight from Amazon/Pace/BTR. Since I'm swapping parts over from my L76 I'm guessing I need the orange pickup tube o-ring? (GM #12584922) Can anyone clarify?

[Crazy Paul]

Since I'm swapping parts over from my L76 I'm guessing I need the orange pickup tube o-ring? (GM #12584922) Can anyone clarify?
Ignore the new engine designation and ignore the new oil pump maker and version.
The correct O Ring will be the one to suit the specific oilpump pick-up tube you will be using.

[codebro]

Ignore the new engine designation and ignore the new oil pump maker and version.
The correct O Ring will be the one to suit the specific oilpump pick-up tube you will be using.

Perfect, thanks.

I need a new stock balancer. Was going to re-use but it has a big groove in it and turns out I don't think it's stock L76 balancer anyway. Anyone got a part #?

23180

[Crazy Paul]

12635649

[SpaceFrank]

Take lots of pics of the swap, if you don't mind. I'll be putting an LS3 crate motor into my GT in a couple weeks.

[codebro]

12635649

Thank you sir.


Take lots of pics of the swap, if you don't mind. I'll be putting an LS3 crate motor into my GT in a couple weeks.

Everything is arriving this week aside from the custom cam bits. With the heat we're having I'm going to take my time and work when temps are down so it will probably take till the end of September to complete. I'll take plenty of pics and post em up when I'm done.

[codebro]

Got my cam specs from Pat G. Anyone running similar? 224/230 .629”/.629” 114 LSA +4

[cynic783]

Got my cam specs from Pat G. Anyone running similar? 224/230 .629”/.629” 114 LSA +4

I ran a Pat G/EPC 224/228 .649”/.629” 112 LSA +2, made 474/450 sae trapped 116 on E85 in a manual. It's a good cam.

I'm going to a larger cam now to try to hit the magic 500rwhp NA all motor and 120 trap.

[codebro]

Cam is 3 weeks out. Also ordered BTR .660" duals with Ti retainers and 7.425" pushrods.

[codebro]

Motor arrived today... 2 more weeks for the cam.

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[codebro]

Can almost eat some cereal out of this.

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[fengstang]

looking good bro

[codebro]

Update: cam bits not shipping out until end of next week. Got all my other parts here aside from the lokar dipstick.

[codebro]

Tonight I started tearing down the frontend to get ready to pull the old motor and trans out until the rest of the parts arrive.
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I never thought it'd take this long to get a custom cam. After 6 weeks of waiting on EPS, the cam came in today. However the springs/retainers/pushrods did not. I can't say I'm too thrilled with the service from EPS. I was originally told 3 weeks and was never updated with the status until I called to ask what the deal was numerous times.

[travis gore]

^ I fell your pain. We just finished up the 404. We did not have to wait that long but we were shorted parts a few times. You will get it done

[codebro]

Well I got the motor out and new cam/springs installed. The entire process has not been too bad actually, and I do only have my small garage with hand tools. I've never done any type of work on a car as extensive as this, and by myself. Definitely invest in the lift plate and trans jack if you plan to do this without a lift. I ordered the ARP camshaft/flexplate bolts so I can put things back together next week. Should have a running car next weekend or so!!

Everything out of the way
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Removing the engine/trans
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Out and separated
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Cam/springs installed in the LS3
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SBM detailed intake
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[cynic783]

Very nice! That looks like a much easier way to remove trans/clutch than trying to do it under a car lifted on a jack stand.

Got to be a great feeling doing it all yourself.

:thumbsup:

[08orangeG8]

Looking good!

[landsarmstrong]

Fun fun fun
Looking good
Changing stuff is 1/2 the fun

[STL_G8GT]

Fun fun fun
Looking good
Changing stuff is 1/2 the fun


X2

[codebro]

I ran into my first issue today. When I bolted the trans back to the block and installed the flexplate to converter bolts, the crank wouldn't turn. I took off the transmission and bolted the converter back to the flexplate and it does not sit flat and causes the flexplate to bulge. I assume this is not normal... going to compare the old crank to the new one in a bit. Anyone faced this issue?

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[codebro]

Ok so the crank on the L76 has a depth of about 5/8" where the stock converter's snout fits into when bolted to the flexplate. My LS3 only has about 1/8". What are my options here? Do I need some type of spacer/adapter or a new converter?

I've done a bit of googling and it appears the LS3 has a pilot bearing installed from the manual setup.

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[G8 GT V8]

Sounds like you might only need to remove the pilot bearing. I think they are just tapped in with a tight fit.

[codebro]

Sounds like you might only need to remove the pilot bearing. I think they are just tapped in with a tight fit.

You're right man. Boy am I a dumbass! The damn thing will not budge so I'm gonna have to rent a puller tomorrow.

[G8 GT V8]

You're right man. Boy am I a dumbass! The damn thing will not budge so I'm gonna have to rent a puller tomorrow.
Actually, we're all learning together. I had no idea that the LS3 would have come with a pilot bearing pre-installed. Good news is that it should be a low cost and easy fix to get you back on track.

[gear7979]

Subscribed... and what did you use to hold the lifters when swapping the cam out? The pic is not that detailed to see it. I use 5/15 brake tubing and cut the flare off one end. I have a 224/228 EPS cam in mine, cam took 5 days to get from Ga. to San Antonio. I ordered direct from Cam Motion.

[codebro]

Subscribed... and what did you use to hold the lifters when swapping the cam out? The pic is not that detailed to see it. I use 5/15 brake tubing and cut the flare off one end. I have a 224/228 EPS cam in mine, cam took 5 days to get from Ga. to San Antonio. I ordered direct from Cam Motion.

I used 5/16" wood dowels (from Walmart) cut to 24" so I think your tubing would be fine. Yeah I don't know why mine was so delayed, it took over 6 weeks to get it I was about to go nuts lol. I should have ordered direct too. Funny thing is my cam arrived from cam motion before the other bits cam in from BTR. Not going to bash EPS but I learned my lesson.

Do you have the L76 or LS3? Cam specs are about the same, how do you like it?

[codebro]

Anyone know where this plug goes that's right near the starter?
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[codebro]

Tomorrow I will pull the header and starter again to route the wires so it's behind the heat shield and figure out where that dang plug goes. I is a noob. Hoping to have everything buttoned up tomorrow. I bought a new battery so I can get get it flashed back to stock and send it off to Pat.

[travis gore]

Anyone know where this plug goes that's right near the starter?
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I think that is the Oil level sensor located on the pan.

[travis gore]

Tomorrow I will pull the header and starter again to route the wires so it's behind the heat shield

when you pull the starter double check that the nut is tight on the ground of the starter.

[codebro]

I think that is the Oil level sensor located on the pan.

Spot on thanks bud. After removing the starter 5 times my arms are quite fatigued!


when you pull the starter double check that the nut is tight on the ground of the starter.

Thanks, it's nice and tight. Going to finish up the front end tonight and hopefully pull the tunes out.

[gear79]

I used 5/16" wood dowels (from Walmart) cut to 24" so I think your tubing would be fine. Yeah I don't know why mine was so delayed, it took over 6 weeks to get it I was about to go nuts lol. I should have ordered direct too. Funny thing is my cam arrived from cam motion before the other bits cam in from BTR. Not going to bash EPS but I learned my lesson.

Do you have the L76 or LS3? Cam specs are about the same, how do you like it?
Man I am not getting notifications like I'd like, sorry for the delay. I have the L76, and I love my cam. I have a build thread on the other board, maybe I should move it over here. Seems there is much more traffic this side of town then there lol.

[codebro]

Tonight I got the front end back together and tried to pull the stock tunes with my autocal and instead got the $0281 error. :uhm:

[-Ray-]

Better call Pat G.

[08G8V8]

You sure you got all the grounds re-installed? I was getting the same error code when I started using the Autocal and this is what Pat said, probably a ground. Mine actually turned out to be the plugs on my OBD port weren't making a good connection with the Autocal cable. But I would bet one of your grounds is probably not good.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[codebro]

You sure you got all the grounds re-installed? I was getting the same error code when I started using the Autocal and this is what Pat said, probably a ground. Mine actually turned out to be the plugs on my OBD port weren't making a good connection with the Autocal cable. But I would bet one of your grounds is probably not good.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the tip. I have a few wires unplugged up front but all the grounds are hooked up properly i believe... but I'll check again tonight, as well as for blown fuses. I assume I should be able to read the tunes even with the "Contact Dealership / Service soon/ airbag fault / etc" messages in the DIC?

I'll plug the autocal into my other g8 tonight and see if I can read its tune to make sure it's not a config issue. I installed the software from their website and ran the firmware update etc, formatted data/configs, and programmed it for e38/t43 pids.

[codebro]

:thumbsup: It was the ground. I forgot the main cable lol.

[08G8V8]

Glad you found it right away and was a simple oversight.

[codebro]

Well guys, I'm almost done! Just gotta fill the fluids, install the tune, prime the engine and fire it up.
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:oops: I lost one of the transmission cooler line clips so I ordered a couple from the dealership. Pretty pricey part for being basically a paper clip haha.

[travis gore]

I hate those little clips. Good to hear that you are almost there

[gear79]

Damn, I have like 50 of those in my tool box too.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[codebro]

I just completed the initial start. Mannnn it's so loud!! Anyways I have a shitload of codes being thrown. Next step, fix the codes!

DTC P0107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0351 Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit
DTC P0352 Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit
DTC P0353 Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit
DTC P0354 Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit
DTC P0355 Ignition Coil 5 Control Circuit
DTC P0356 Ignition Coil 6 Control Circuit
DTC P0357 Ignition Coil 7 Control Circuit
DTC P0358 Ignition Coil 8 Control Circuit

[codebro]

Also I should note that the fuel being used is 7 month old 93 octane.

[codebro]

Ahh shit my bad. Codes were from when I was priming the engine without coils/plugs/injectors hooked up. I cleared the codes and things are fine now!

[SpaceFrank]

Nice! Congrats on getting it running.

[codebro]

Nice! Congrats on getting it running.

Thank you sir! It's been a loooong time coming but feels great to DIY. Hoping to see yours up and running soon, keep us posted!

[codebro]

Here's a start up video. I couldn't have done it myself without the help and knowledge gathered from this community. Thank you guys!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGGsdGgf1SA

[-Ray-]

Sounds great. Good job!

[travis gore]

Sounds good!

[Kaos]

Very nice! Congrats on the DIY!

[BigTony08]

Very nice! I spent a few hours last night researching stroker kits and LS3s.. maybe someday, ha.

Good to hear it worked out for you!