LM7 with LS3 cam (FREE CAM and parts)
07-04-2012, 06:29 PM
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LM7 with LS3 cam (FREE CAM and parts) I know many people have asked this question before but my question hasn't been answered..I'm still kinda torn
I have a 2002 5.3 in my 1983 Cutlass.. Right now I have a stock 2000 Ls1 cam stuffed in the motor and for a cruiser it runs great.. I have no complaints with performance.. The past few days I helped my friend do some engine work on his 2010 Camaro SS and in return he gave me his LS3 cam, yellow springs, timing cover and the timing set for FREE...(they have 5000 miles on them)
Now from what I understand its almost an absolute waste of time and money to invest in this swap if I was starting from scratch and I had to buy all the parts because by the time I'm all said and done for the amount of money spent I could buy a nice Gen III performance cam without the hassle of changing covers and timing sets..
SO what do ya think? I have almost everything would there be any fruitful gains? I'd have to change the Pushrods too but big deal.. LOL..
also, I understand the cam sensor is in the front now.. Because this is Gen IV setup would it be compatible with my MSD 6010? That would be my deal breaker right there if everyone else felt the swap would be a good move..
Thanks guys! Doug
I have a 2002 5.3 in my 1983 Cutlass.. Right now I have a stock 2000 Ls1 cam stuffed in the motor and for a cruiser it runs great.. I have no complaints with performance.. The past few days I helped my friend do some engine work on his 2010 Camaro SS and in return he gave me his LS3 cam, yellow springs, timing cover and the timing set for FREE...(they have 5000 miles on them)
Now from what I understand its almost an absolute waste of time and money to invest in this swap if I was starting from scratch and I had to buy all the parts because by the time I'm all said and done for the amount of money spent I could buy a nice Gen III performance cam without the hassle of changing covers and timing sets..
SO what do ya think? I have almost everything would there be any fruitful gains? I'd have to change the Pushrods too but big deal.. LOL..
also, I understand the cam sensor is in the front now.. Because this is Gen IV setup would it be compatible with my MSD 6010? That would be my deal breaker right there if everyone else felt the swap would be a good move..
Thanks guys! Doug
07-04-2012, 07:01 PM
#2
No you would need msd 6012 because of the different cam sensor...also you lm7 has a 3 bolt cam and I think the ls3 is a one bolt cam...to make a long story short I don't think it is worth the time and effort...I'm sure someone will chime in with the ls3 cam specs...at least the springs will be an upgrade and you can trade the ls3 stuff for an ls6, hotcam, or GM Asa cam and that would be worth it...
07-04-2012, 07:06 PM
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No you would need msd 6012 because of the different cam sensor...also you lm7 has a 3 bolt cam and I think the ls3 is a one bolt cam...to make a long story short I don't think it is worth the time and effort...I'm sure someone will chime in with the ls3 cam specs...at least the springs will be an upgrade and you can trade the ls3 stuff for an ls6, hotcam, or GM Asa cam and that would be worth it...
The springs I am def. going to use because mine are in need of an upgrade..
and I know the Gen IV motors need the 6012 controller because of the 58x crank gear vs my 24.. but I wasnt sure if the cam made a difference or not...
I appreciate the insight!
07-04-2012, 07:43 PM
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07-04-2012, 07:51 PM
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All you need to make it work (in conjunction with what you already have) is the cam gear for a 2005 LS2 Corvette. This has the correct reluctor for the gen 3 computer system you have now. The LS3 cam specs are very similar to the LS6 fyi.
07-04-2012, 08:10 PM
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yes thats why I was interested in trying it out.. so the 2005 LS2 has a 24x reluctor and a single bolt? most Ls2 stuff I saw was 3 bolt.. i have the stupid single bolt
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07-06-2012, 02:20 PM
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If it was an LS2 cam You'd be in business as they are 3 bolt and have the same exact specs as the 2001 LS6 cam with the cam sensor in the timing cover so You would use the LS2 cam gear also .
07-06-2012, 03:38 PM
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Yep...The GENIV cam has no (i guess you can call them) sensor teeth at the rear of the cam like your GEN III cam has. From what I've found, you can run a GENIII cam in a GENIV motor because you can find a single bolt/3bolt cam gear for the GENIV motor/cam sensor is on the front. But you can't run a GENIV cam in a GEN III engine because they only make the 3 bolt cam gear for the GENIII and the GENIV cam not having the sensor teeth at the rear.
I have this problem also. I bought a single bolt comp 220 220 cam for my 2009 5.3. But I ended up buying a low mileage GENIII 6.0. And I can't use the cam in the earlier model engine.
I have this problem also. I bought a single bolt comp 220 220 cam for my 2009 5.3. But I ended up buying a low mileage GENIII 6.0. And I can't use the cam in the earlier model engine.
