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VVT delete without cam change

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Old Jan 6, 2024 | 02:27 PM
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Default VVT delete without cam change

I have a 2007 avalanche with a lmg 5.3. Water got into the engine, and that was it for that motor. I bought a 2010 lmg 5.3 to replace it. Didn't see that it had vvt until it was being installed. I used the old harness with the new motor. The new harness won't connect to the fuse box and transmission. Everything connected until I got to the camshaft position sensor, which is the last connection. Can I change the cam gear, use the old cover and use my old computer. Would that delete the vvt without changing the cam
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Old Jan 6, 2024 | 03:49 PM
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The cams are different. VVT cams are advanced in static state, then are retarded in varying amounts by the special sprocket used.
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Old Jan 11, 2024 | 09:50 AM
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Any idea what the static state ICL/LSA is?
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Old Jan 11, 2024 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by slowride
Any idea what the static state ICL/LSA is?
Someone recently posted stock cam specs somewhere else on these forums.
They might POSSIBLY show the specs you mention, but not certain....
EDIT- In Gen III Internal; "Factory LS Cam Specs"
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Old Jan 11, 2024 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by slowride
Any idea what the static state ICL/LSA is?
Cam would be 196/201 116+2 (as machined): https://www.onallcylinders.com/2018/...am-specs-more/

A while back, I tried to determine how the VVT was setup for this engines. Anyone who has more solid understanding on this feel free to jump in.

I believe the phaser is advanced 7 crankshaft , and this supposedly results 3.5 advance at the camshaft (?).
Edit: Found the article stating the park position of the camshaft: https://www.underhoodservice.com/gm-...flow-pressure/

And this seems to track, because IIRC (been awhile), if you look at the factory VVT table it starts advancing around 4k rpm and reaches roughly 7* retard right at rated peak power rpm (basically making it 0*). So if the above is accurate, then total you'd have 5.5* cam advance.

Tossing it into the 'ole @Summitracing Cam Timing Calculator (courtesy of CamMotion): https://www.summitracing.com/newsand...ing-calculator nets a 28.5* intake valve closure. This would be pretty early, and likely hinder it's ability to build power especially above 5k rpm given it's duration and lift. Also the VVE tables would be incorrect.

I don't think running it that way would cause any mechanical damage, but it'd probably not drive very well. I wouldn't recommend it.

Last edited by 68Formula; Jan 14, 2024 at 06:55 AM.
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Old Feb 17, 2025 | 08:15 PM
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Default Sooo it won’t work?

Originally Posted by 68Formula
Cam would be 196/201 116+2 (as machined): https://www.onallcylinders.com/2018/...am-specs-more/

A while back, I tried to determine how the VVT was setup for this engines. Anyone who has more solid understanding on this feel free to jump in.

I believe the phaser is advanced 7 crankshaft , and this supposedly results 3.5 advance at the camshaft (?).
Edit: Found the article stating the park position of the camshaft: https://www.underhoodservice.com/gm-...flow-pressure/

And this seems to track, because IIRC (been awhile), if you look at the factory VVT table it starts advancing around 4k rpm and reaches roughly 7* retard right at rated peak power rpm (basically making it 0*). So if the above is accurate, then total you'd have 5.5* cam advance.

Tossing it into the 'ole @Summitracing Cam Timing Calculator (courtesy of CamMotion): https://www.summitracing.com/newsand...ing-calculator nets a 28.5* intake valve closure. This would be pretty early, and likely hinder it's ability to build power especially above 5k rpm given it's duration and lift. Also the VVE tables would be incorrect.

I don't think running it that way would cause any mechanical damage, but it'd probably not drive very well. I wouldn't recommend it.


so am I reading this right there is no way a vvt engine works in a non-vvt truck without a cam swap? The vvt delete kits with a single bolt cam sprocket don’t time it correctly? I’m putting a 2011 engine in a 2007.5.
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Old Feb 18, 2025 | 04:53 AM
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Default Get it figured out?

Originally Posted by lasell07
I have a 2007 avalanche with a lmg 5.3. Water got into the engine, and that was it for that motor. I bought a 2010 lmg 5.3 to replace it. Didn't see that it had vvt until it was being installed. I used the old harness with the new motor. The new harness won't connect to the fuse box and transmission. Everything connected until I got to the camshaft position sensor, which is the last connection. Can I change the cam gear, use the old cover and use my old computer. Would that delete the vvt without changing the cam

did you cam swap it? Or did you find a vvt delete kit that worked?? Thank!
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Old Feb 18, 2025 | 05:52 AM
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The cam in a VVT engine is ground differently than a standard cam. As explained above, if you simply swap the sprocket and front cover, you're going to have an engine that falls on it's face above 4K RPM. Swap the cam, sprocket, and front cover and it will work.
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Old Apr 16, 2025 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by sideburns31
did you cam swap it? Or did you find a vvt delete kit that worked?? Thank!
my question is, what would happen if someone swapped a vvt engine into a non vvt vehicle, completely left it alone, never opened it up or changed anything, and left the cam phaser unplugged.

Sure, it may not make top end power above 4000, but it’s not like these things make a ton of power up there in stock form with vvt enabled anyway.

is there any reason that wouldn’t work?
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Old Jun 23, 2025 | 01:55 PM
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I can chime in on this to add to this thread for future searches. I just got done battling a situation in a 2009 Sierra 2500HD with an LY6 where when hot, the phaser would retard fully and get stuck and not start until it cooled down. I installed a new VVT sprocket and cam actuator and solenoid. Still did it. Unplugged the actuator solenoid, still did it. So I installed a phaser locking block, deleted the VVT in the PCM and it now runs but has virtually no power. I assume it's because the cam cannot vary itself and this is not the correct application of a locked phaser. The most likely reason for the phaser malfunction is inadequate oil pressure at the end of the cam. The truck will be used as a yard truck operating the rest of it's life offroad and flat surfaces.
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