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Author Topic: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!  (Read 4085 times)

Offline wickedrx7

Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« on: February 24, 2014, 09:24:26 PM »
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? 

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7

Offline Dr1ft1ng0wns

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2014, 10:53:50 PM »
Why not be different and try and keep the vvt?
87 se, roller cam 350, t56, 8.8 IRS
http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=41
89  Honda civic SI/Gs-r (B Series)
83 K5 Blazer on 37's
01 Civic DD
89 Chevy Crew cummins 24v powered on 37's

Offline wickedrx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2014, 11:08:29 PM »
Why not be different and try and keep the vvt?

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

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7

Offline Pez

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2014, 10:49:56 AM »
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.
FC/FD plug and play wiring harnesses, LSx swap AC systems, LSx swap power steering lines.

Offline wickedrx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2014, 11:00:53 AM »
Thanks pez, I would like to use the l99 harness and computer for it.

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7

Offline Pez

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2014, 11:22:42 AM »
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.
FC/FD plug and play wiring harnesses, LSx swap AC systems, LSx swap power steering lines.

Offline gnx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2014, 11:43:31 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2014, 11:59:12 AM by gnx7 »
'93 FD: 441ci/AllPro LS7 heads/intake en route, T56 Mag, 8.8" IRS, HolleyHP, DavisTechTC 10.32@137mph cats/full exhaust. 165mph 1/2 mile (old LS7)
'93 FD LS9 turbo, T56 Mag, Samberg 8.8" solid axle, 9.35@163mph 197mph 1/2 mile
`69 Chevelle: alum 5.3, GTS76 turbo, ChiseledPerf A/W, T56 Magnum,Ford 35 spline 9".CTS-V interior http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=18234.0
old yellar....440rwhp/FD sold but not forgotten: http://www.ponycars.net/scc.htm
I sell new T56 Magnums/McLeod clutch/T56 rebuild kits/Holley EFI/FIC injectors and all BrianTooleyRacing parts.  norcalmotorsport@gmail.com

Offline spacevomit

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2014, 11:50:08 AM »
Why would you want to delete VVT? It's free area under the curve.

Offline wickedrx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2014, 11:52:30 AM »
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? 

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7

Offline Pez

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2014, 11:58:10 AM »

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.
FC/FD plug and play wiring harnesses, LSx swap AC systems, LSx swap power steering lines.

Offline quinns

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2014, 02:45:22 PM »
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  :yay:.

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.
1993 Rx-7 Base LS3 TR6060 Ronin 8.8
1997.5 Hummer H1
2006 Hummer H2 SUT

Offline wickedrx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2014, 03:07:47 PM »
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.

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7

Offline quinns

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2014, 04:23:39 PM »
Inside passenger footwell.
1993 Rx-7 Base LS3 TR6060 Ronin 8.8
1997.5 Hummer H1
2006 Hummer H2 SUT

Offline digitalsolo

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2014, 05:12:45 PM »
Lots of suck.    Whole lots.
Blake MF'ing McBride
1988 Mazda RX7 - Turbo LS1/T56/ProEFI/8.8/Not Slow...   sold.
1965 Mustang Coupe - TT Coyote, TR6060, modern brakes/suspension...
2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Gen V LT4/TR6060, upper/lower pullies, headers, tune.
2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance - Stock...ish.

Offline wickedrx7

Re: Might get an L99- Need some advice, Noob questions!
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2014, 10:41:42 PM »
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? 

1993 Touring, 2012 L99, T-56, Ronnin 8.8, Ohlins, Speedhut, Samberg and lots of custom parts
Build Thread - http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19354.0
Pictures - www.flikr.com/wickedrx7