Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!

[wickedrx7]

I might be working a deal to get a low mileage 2011 Camaro L99 pullout.  I will be running with a F-body T-56 in my FD. I have some Noob questions.
First off, I plan on doing the "LS3" conversion to eliminate AFM, VVT,and DOD which will include a cam swap of course. Seems pretty straight forward.  i have a LS1 Front cover and LS6 valley cover, can I use them?

The other big question I have is with wiring.  Will I be able to modify the Automatic harness to work with the t56?  Can you tune the PCM be used?  How hard is it to modify the harness for the swap?  I didn't do my LS1 harness back in the day but pretty confident I can do one now. 

Let me know what you guys think? 

[Dr1ft1ng0wns]

Why not be different and try and keep the vvt?

[wickedrx7]

Why not be different and try and keep the vvt?

idk, I guess I could...how would it be on the track I wonder?

[Pez]

i have a LS1 Front cover and LS6 valley cover, can I use them?

no and no.

Will I be able to modify the Automatic harness to work with the t56?

Yes, but which harness are you talking about? The L99 harness or your current LS1/6 harness?

Can you tune the PCM be used?

Which PCM? The L99 or LS1/6? Yes for both, but the LS1 would require extension of the cam, knock, and MAF sensors, add tps and iac, along with a 24x crank reluctor and 1x cam gear swap, or a Ligenfelter converter box. Would also require a DBC throttle body. Or just use the L99 PCM/harness, can convert to DBW.

How hard is it to modify the harness for the swap?

Depends on how good you are at wiring, the resources at your disposal, and ability to read schematics.

[wickedrx7]

Thanks pez, I would like to use the l99 harness and computer for it.

[Pez]

Only real issue then is that the L99 harness puts the PCM behind the driver headlight, not pass kick panel. Will require some reworking to get it out of the engine bay, if you don't want it there.

[gnx7]

You need a bunch of parts to convert away from VVT/DOD.
LS2/LS3 front cover
LS2 style valley cover
LS7 lifters, upgraded cam/pushrods
head gaskets, head bolts
That's around $1K in parts

The harness you would need to modify for the correct pinouts/pigtails that work on a T56. ie reverse lockout, VSS, reverse light.
You need to put in a new Fbody pilot bearing in the crank as well.

I would mill the heads to gain some compression back.

[spacevomit]

Why would you want to delete VVT? It's free area under the curve.

[wickedrx7]

I am not bothered with it in the engine bay, would be kinda cool if I could stash it under the passenger headlight in the RX7.  I have nothing there now.  I assume it is "weatherproof" so that shouldn't be an issue. 

So it wouldn't be that big of a deal to convert for the T56?  Then just the usual conversion for the swap?  Any other concerns about this motor/setup?

Now the questions is do I do the LS3 swap and get rid of all the AFM, VVT,and DOD?  Any thoughts on that? 

[Pez]

So it wouldn't be that big of a deal to convert for the T56?  Then just the usual conversion for the swap?  Any other concerns about this motor/setup?

You'll need to migrate the VSS signal from the auto's TCM to the ECM, add the reverse lockout solenoid circuit, then flash the ECM to a manual OS. That's it, electronically.

[quinns]

I imagine your l99 will put the cpu in a similiar spot as my ls3 out of a 2011 camaro. Which ends up pretty much right on the strut tower and there's not much harness to move it around. Ask Blake how fun it was to extend  .

I'd keep the VVT unless your planning on going super intense. It does make more power down low. There's pretty decent cam selection for it now too.

[wickedrx7]

So keep vvt, then I guess why not keep AFM too? Thoughts? I might just keep stock and then do cam down the road.

Where did Blake end up putting yours? I am not afraid to extend, it will be a pain but worth it to do it right.

[quinns]

Inside passenger footwell.

[digitalsolo]

Lots of suck.    Whole lots.

[wickedrx7]

Looks like Pez will be modifying and he will relocate my PCM... So one problem solved. 

Now what are everyone's thoughts on AFM, do I just pull the heads and get rid of it?  Looks like I might keep the VVT.  I realize cam swap and eliminating AFM would cost around 1K, would it make the engine more reliable?