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VVT retrofit?

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Old 05-13-2011, 02:17 AM
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Default VVT retrofit?

Has anyone swapped VVT onto a motor that originally didn't come with it? Would it be as easy as making sure it's got the 58toothRW and swapping the timing cover/cam phaser assembly and rocking? I can't find anything in search but my search fu may be weak.
Old 05-13-2011, 02:24 AM
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I dont see why it wouldnt. I took the vvt stuff apart when I put an after market vvt cam in my vvt equiped engine. You can remove vvt by replacing the cam, cam sprocket and timing cover so why not add vvt by adding those same items off a vvt engine? The vvt gets its oil pressure from the 2nd cam journal which I dont think that oil hole is any different then any other ls engine. VVT engines do have a higherflow/pressure oil pump to keep up with the bigger need of oil.
Old 05-13-2011, 11:36 AM
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I've got a complete VVT setup off my 09 L92. Cam cover, water pump,oil pump,stock cam, springs, push rods, oil pan and pickup. 4000 miles on the engine.
PM me if you need something.
Old 05-13-2011, 03:53 PM
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I agree with what tiresmokinV8 said. I can't see why it wouldn't work with the 58 reluctor and the correct PCM and harness. I've also got the VVT cover with cam sensor, stock VVT cam, VVT cam phaser and bolt, valve springs, and pushrods from my >3000mile LY6. If JIMB can't help you out, let me know if you need any of these parts and I can hook you up.
Old 05-13-2011, 07:36 PM
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Thanks for the parts options guys!

What ecm does the vvt need?
Old 05-13-2011, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by iansane
Thanks for the parts options guys!

What ecm does the vvt need?
No problem. I'm sure a few options would work, but one out of an 07 and up 6.0L (LY6/L96) truck or van would probably be one of the more common ones to come across.
Old 05-13-2011, 10:20 PM
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Is that still the two connector ecm? (The green/blue?) or is that the newer style three connector ecm?
Old 05-13-2011, 10:42 PM
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It'll be an E38 ECM like this

Old 05-13-2011, 11:42 PM
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If the vvt set up is so great why are you guys trying to unload your vvt parts? I have all my vvt parts too, since I decided to not use it on my LY6. I'm not saying it's bad, but the people in the know are keeping it a secret.
Old 05-13-2011, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by futureuser
If the vvt set up is so great why are you guys trying to unload your vvt parts? I have all my vvt parts too, since I decided to not use it on my LY6. I'm not saying it's bad, but the people in the know are keeping it a secret.
I don't recall saying it was great? I bought my LY6 because it came equipped with L92 heads; not for the VVT. My LY6 is also carb'd, so there is no chance of me using the VVT stuff. I've had this stuff sitting here for well over a year and I know I'm never gonna use it. Just trying to help another member who seems to be interested in using it.
Old 05-14-2011, 03:34 AM
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Im keeping the vvt in my swap. TSP has gotten great results with their aftermarket vvt cam which is why I went with them, VVT wont provide as much HP at the top end but will make more hp and tq down low as well as much more under the curve which is what I wanted in a street vehicle.

Like mentioned already the 06+ e38 which came in the trucks with the ly6 and l92's or like Im doing '10+ e67 ecu, Runs vvt in the '10+ Colorado 5.3, has a class 2 serial data output so I can run my stock gauges which the e38 does not. And the e67 gets its speed reading right off a vss sensor unlike the e38 which needs a tcm. If running an auto with a tcm then you're fine with a e38 since it uses the vss to tcm which converts it to another signal which the e38 reads. Im running a t56 which I came to find out from others using the t56 and vvt running a e38 that their speedo wont work anymore.
Old 05-14-2011, 09:40 AM
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This is great information. Sorry to come across like such a skeptic. Initially, I wanted to keep vvt as well. When I called TSP they didn't return my call. When I called Mast, they told me to call a local tuner if I didn't want to buy their ecm. The local tuner couldn't recommend vvt so I switched.

To the person wanting to convert to vvt: Good luck and please start a thread we can follow along. Who knows, maybe one day I'll switch back.
Old 05-14-2011, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by tiresmokinV8
Like mentioned already the 06+ e38 which came in the trucks with the ly6 and l92's or like Im doing '10+ e67 ecu, Runs vvt in the '10+ Colorado 5.3, has a class 2 serial data output so I can run my stock gauges which the e38 does not. And the e67 gets its speed reading right off a vss sensor unlike the e38 which needs a tcm. If running an auto with a tcm then you're fine with a e38 since it uses the vss to tcm which converts it to another signal which the e38 reads. Im running a t56 which I came to find out from others using the t56 and vvt running a e38 that their speedo wont work anymore.
This is good info. My car isn't an auto and I obviously have no tc system yet so I guess I'm stuck with an e67 ecm then?
Old 05-14-2011, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by iansane
This is good info. My car isn't an auto and I obviously have no tc system yet so I guess I'm stuck with an e67 ecm then?
I would, You can ask Pilligenburn on here. He put a ly6 in his mid 90's firebird and used the e38 with his t56 and couldnt get the speedo to work. Thats how I found out about the e38 and its issues with communicating with a vss directly. Now if your going to run aftermarket gauges which will hook up directly to the vss then you can run the e38, however the ecu still wouldnt see a vss for some of the tables if you plan on doing some of your own tuning.
Old 02-21-2018, 01:44 PM
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Hello everyone, hope you guys can help me. so i have a 2011 suburban 5.3 and engine went bad, so i got another 5.3 engine but came off a 2009 and after installing it i realized that the 2011 has the VVT and 2009 dont. So can i just swap the timing cover? or what can i do in order to make it work??
Old 02-21-2018, 03:23 PM
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You should swap the timing cover, camshaft, timing set, and whatever lifter valley cover/AFM/DOD setup that came on your '11. They should both be Gen IV blocks but they might be outfitted with different VVT / DOD combinations. I would use as much of your '11 stuff as you can to make sure it is plug and play. That might include the pan, accessory drive, manfiolds, intake w/ injectors, and throttle body.
Old 02-23-2018, 07:18 AM
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Call Texas speed , ask lots of questions ,I love my vvt motors , but modifying them requires knowledge of things that other motors do not have , phase limiters and such , Texas speed is a wealth of knowledge .



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