skongolf

I am looking at a used L99 out of a camaro ss with 30k miles. It comes complete with harness and accessory drive and the guy is asking $6k. Seems like a good deal even though it is an L99 and not an LS3. I did reaearch what it would take to make it a true LS3 in the future but I want to know what would be a good transmissio option would be. Its going into my 1972 Chevelle wagon that has a t350 right now. Looking for a good tranny choice for all around use as this will be my daily driver.

kainedogg

iTrader: (23)

$6k is a decent deal but not for the L99, look at some of the vendors out there. I believe there are new motors out there for under 7k...true LS3's.

skongolf

Yeah, I can get an ls3 new for about $6300 but then I have to add $1400 for the harness and ecu and about $900 for the accessorie drive then tax. So yes I can get a new ls3 for around 6k but for everything I am around $9k.

kainedogg

iTrader: (23)

True. Well I guess you are back to the L99. Just delete the vvt and you are good to go. I am putting an LY6 in my '72 Chevelle with a 4l80e and Circle D 3200 stall.

skongolf

LY6 is on my short list as well but I was told an L99 or LS3 would get better gas mileage and finding an LY6 out here with realatively low miles is not easy. Have you started your install yet?

1989GTA

Personally for a street machine I would keep the VVT but delete the DOD. You need to visit the Camaro5.com forum. They are getting past 500rwhp with the VVT. It extends the torque curve. I kept it on my car. There is also the L92 route.

skongolf

I have been looking into keeping the VVT and changing the cam phaser, which I agree would be nice to keep. Just curious what you mean when you say the L92 route. Did you do a cam swap on yours? Since I will have the engine out it seems like it would be a great time to change everything I need changed.

1989GTA

"Just curious what you mean when you say the L92 route"

The L92 came in Escalades etc and does not have DOD. It does have the truck intake manifold which is easy enough to change and VVT. If you have the hood room you could keep the truck intake.

Yes, I did a cam swap with mine. I went with the TSP VVT3 camshaft. With the higher lift you do need the cam phaser kit which keeps the camshaft from advancing as far. Other wise the valves will hit the piston. With the changes I did to mine it is virtually like a L99 Camaro.

skongolf

Gotcha! Still not sure if the price is good on this motor or if its worth it. Just seems like a good deal when doing research then something else seems to pop up like considering an L92.....

1989GTA

Well, getting everything with the motor does count. Also in this day and age 30K miles is just barely broken in. Hahaha. I would say 6K is an OK price. Not a ripoff but not a steal either.

skongolf

Think I just found a bette deal on basically the same motor. An 2013 L99 with 8K miles out of an SS camaro. ECU, Harness, All accessories and flex plate for trans included. Hopefully the same price. Just need to know how much to budget for a trans.

1989GTA

That sounds better yet. I went with the 6L80 in my build. I found one for a $1000 but they usually run higher.

Saw this on another web site. This was Futral Motorsports posting.

"500-510 through an a6 but we do vvt cams for 99% of l99 cars now. Too much power under the curve lost doing an ls3 conversion."

skongolf

How did that trans fit?

1989GTA

Had to raise the transmission tunnel a little. Maybe 3/8". Otherwise no problem. It is shorter than a 4L80. Just has more girth. More and more people are going that route now that people are more familiar with how to tune them.

skongolf

Do you have a floor shift car? When you say raise the tunnel did you have to completely cut it or just modify? I would be interested to see pics.

1989GTA

I kept the column shift. It would be easy enough to go with a floor shift. You can also use paddle shifters with the 6L80 as with other transmissions.

I have a lot of pictures in this thread.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...6l80-swap.html

skongolf

Just went throught the whole build. Very cool! If I decide to pull the trigger on this L99 I hopefully wont run into the ECU problems you had. The guy who is selling the motor settled on $6000 but I pay shipping of $240. Everything is included. I probably cant get the motor put in for a few months so it will give me time to find a transmission. I am thinking at this point a built 4l60e may be my starting point.

1989GTA

You shouldn't. My problems were because I had different years between the E38 ECM and the 6L80 transmission. If you are going to use a different transmission do your research before you spend any money. Find out what is compatible with what.

kainedogg

iTrader: (23)

I am not sure how true the mileage comparison is but I got my engine complete for $1700 shipped from a seller on this board. I am still gathering parts but the car, complete engine, trans, converter, holley oil pan, mounts and harness are accounted for. Once I have anything I will do a build thread.

skongolf

An ly6 or l99 for $1700?