L96 vvt cam swap
01-28-2017, 12:42 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
L96 vvt cam swap
Ok everyone, I realize that I am not a camaro guy, but I come seeking wisdom. Can't find much on truck forums thats helpful. I have installed a tsp vvt-1 cam in an l96 6.0 (2011 2500hd). This is a stage 1 cam for an l99 which is why I have come here to find answers. I have obviously retained the vvt. I know there are mixed feelings on that, but its a 7k lb vehicle not a drag car and its my DD. The vvt cam I bought was recommended by tsp after I told them what I was doing. Just wanted a little pep in my step, and only went through with it because I ate the stock cam with a bad lifter. No other damage noted. Specs on this cam are .224/.227 .629/.629 on 113 lsa. I may be a digit off on lsa but im fairly certain (at work and dont have itnin front of me). I put a set of dual springs in rated to .650. Stock 823 heads. Everything I'e read says lift kills vvt motors. Can anyone weigh in.
Last edited by Wingstrat28; 01-28-2017 at 12:43 AM. Reason: Spelling error
01-28-2017, 08:19 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Okemos, MI
Posts: 9,479
Re: L96 vvt cam swap
AFAIK, the problem with high-lift cams in the VVT motors is that the pistons can contact the valves.
There are two available solutions: delete the cam phaser system entirely, such that you no longer have VVT at all, or install a cam phaser limiter, which retains VVT but narrows its effective operating range in order to avoid piston-to-valve interference. With the phaser limiter, some hyper-aggressive cams are still going to be too much.
Personally, I'd opt for the phaser limiter. Even limited, VVT improves efficiency and broadens the torque curve. You need to consider your priorities and decide whether you care more about peak power or power under the curve.
There are two available solutions: delete the cam phaser system entirely, such that you no longer have VVT at all, or install a cam phaser limiter, which retains VVT but narrows its effective operating range in order to avoid piston-to-valve interference. With the phaser limiter, some hyper-aggressive cams are still going to be too much.
Personally, I'd opt for the phaser limiter. Even limited, VVT improves efficiency and broadens the torque curve. You need to consider your priorities and decide whether you care more about peak power or power under the curve.
