Cayman LS3 Swap
Let us know your impressions as far as streetability and tunability are concerned.
Thanks......and nice work, BTW
KW
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 119
Likes: 17
From: Lynden Washington
Maybe I missed it but what did you do for cooling ? The S has 3 radiators did you up grade them? My LS3 Cayman is running and I'm going to upgrade the cooling system soon. I'm not running hot but Washington state winters are cold at best so I'm thinking 100 degree plus A/C will tax the hell out of the factory setup.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
So - update. Car is running, first start video below. We ran into some trouble with the Ozmo controller, and due to them being out of stock - had to seek an alternative. I went with an option from Torque Rush, along with their dual MAF adapter. So now, changing away from the plan to use speed density tunes. Parts due to arrive today, and just proceeding with general reassembly and troublshooting along the way.
I'll definitely update regarding streetability / tunability once we hit that stage. Michael is right, it's not meant to be a daily by any means... so not my priority.
Cooling - running 3 radiators & the Meziers electric pump. I don't have high hopes for it keeping up on the track, especially in the Texas heat... but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. There are options for a remote mount mechanical pump - but at least in my case it means giving up my A/C. (not a big concern for the track purpose... but I did want it to be 'comfortable' for weekend cruises too)
I'll definitely update regarding streetability / tunability once we hit that stage. Michael is right, it's not meant to be a daily by any means... so not my priority.
Cooling - running 3 radiators & the Meziers electric pump. I don't have high hopes for it keeping up on the track, especially in the Texas heat... but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. There are options for a remote mount mechanical pump - but at least in my case it means giving up my A/C. (not a big concern for the track purpose... but I did want it to be 'comfortable' for weekend cruises too)
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
So the car is on the road, doing some testing now. Tuning is really proving to be a tough spot with this dual throttle body setup. Tried running MAFs, but couldn't get it to read properly. Now running a speed density tune, and its happy enough for the road. Cold starts, it doesn't want to idle. Will be sending it in to a shop for a final tune on the dyno, and hopefully resolve the idling issues as well.
Video of the car:
Sound Clip:
Video of the car:
Sound Clip:
Very cool project.
One thing you might consider is swapping over to the slightly smaller 87mm 4 bolt truck throttle bodies. A LS3/525 doesn't need anywhere near the airflow of dual 90s and will hurt drivability.
If you keep having issues with a stock ECU, it might be time to get a Holley Dominator with native support for dual DBW throttle bodies and the means to tune them for excellent drivability.
Andrew
One thing you might consider is swapping over to the slightly smaller 87mm 4 bolt truck throttle bodies. A LS3/525 doesn't need anywhere near the airflow of dual 90s and will hurt drivability.
If you keep having issues with a stock ECU, it might be time to get a Holley Dominator with native support for dual DBW throttle bodies and the means to tune them for excellent drivability.
Andrew
Thanks!
You'll likely see it a bit more often. You can find older Caymans/Boxsters with blown motors for <$10k these days. The swap is fairly straight forward if you use the stock intake... it mostly fits with minimal cutting.
Not cheap - but for a light, mid-engine car with V8 torque, it's not too bad.
You'll likely see it a bit more often. You can find older Caymans/Boxsters with blown motors for <$10k these days. The swap is fairly straight forward if you use the stock intake... it mostly fits with minimal cutting.
Not cheap - but for a light, mid-engine car with V8 torque, it's not too bad.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Very cool project.
One thing you might consider is swapping over to the slightly smaller 87mm 4 bolt truck throttle bodies. A LS3/525 doesn't need anywhere near the airflow of dual 90s and will hurt drivability.
If you keep having issues with a stock ECU, it might be time to get a Holley Dominator with native support for dual DBW throttle bodies and the means to tune them for excellent drivability.
Andrew
One thing you might consider is swapping over to the slightly smaller 87mm 4 bolt truck throttle bodies. A LS3/525 doesn't need anywhere near the airflow of dual 90s and will hurt drivability.
If you keep having issues with a stock ECU, it might be time to get a Holley Dominator with native support for dual DBW throttle bodies and the means to tune them for excellent drivability.
Andrew
The ECU - this one I've sort of regretted sticking with the GM. I've been eyeballing a standalone, inc the Holley, for the reasons you state. Originally, we stuck with the GM ECU for the OBD port to "pass" inspection. Now that we've been through that process, it definitely wasn't necessary... so may end up going back through and getting a standalone. Probably will get added for stage 2 of the build.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
And Project GatTagO has hit the nail on the head as to why we went with the dual TB. With the LS, we knew going in that swapping the intake wasn't going to be a major power addition... but it really makes that engine bay pop! Turned out to be an expensive cosmetic upgrade in the end... still worth it.
Gotcha, be cool to see one of these lighter than a race prepped C6 and rally catch people off guard.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
http://www.torquerush.com/x2.html
Tried the one from Ozmo engineering - that one died, and the company went unresponsive. Then picked up the x2 and working well.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Texas
I've had it on the road more than a few times, and it is an absolute blast to drive.