In Theory?? L76 to LS3 conversion?

[Yenko68]

I'm coming to the experts since I know little about LS swaps. I just scored an 09 G8 GT 6.0 L76 with only 2k miles on it. Id like to swap this into my Nova or Camaro and I've been researching and wonder.My theory is that the L76 is a hybrid has the L92 heads so the only real difference between this and the LS3is the displacement and cam and tune. If I were to swap the cam(480 or 525hp GM cam) ,springs,DOD delete then in theory I should be running the same heads,cam similar compression and the G8 intake so couldn't I then run GM 's factory 480 or 525 hp swap harness and ECU and the motor run good? Or would the displacement difference of 6.0 (L76) compared to the the LS3's (6.2)be enough of a difference to throw the ecu off? Any ideas or facts would be appreciated

[Z06vette]

You should be able to do that, but for close to the same money you could do an aftermarket cam & spring package for your motor, and use a stand alone harness (or have your harness reworked) with your existing ecm. You'll make more power, and you could possibly do it for less $

[Yenko68]

So far the only place that I found a complete kit with everything including a new harness and ecu was MAST. I have not found any other kits yet except PACE Performance gave me a bunch of part numbers . Both kits offer the same HP numbers. Unless people sell a kit I'm not aware of where they sell the parts and offer a tune I don't know my options. Id rather not have to deal with a shop and tuner.

[TomM]

Call Bill with BP automotive, he has a solution for you, turn key. I have used him on the last 3 builds with no issues at all.....

T,

[jwcarguy]

Call Bill with BP automotive, he has a solution for you, turn key. I have used him on the last 3 builds with no issues at all.....

T,

I have used Bill @ BP Automotive too in the past, great guy
Also look at PSI Conversions for harness & pcm

I would get either a Comp "off the shelf" cam or if you can swing it, have a custom cam spec'd and ground for your exact application (ie. Pat G. , Geoff @ EPS, Martin Smallwood, etc)

I built SpiffaV8 a L76 last year and I put in a EPS cam 226/234 598/601 113+2 LSA cam, with supporting valvetrain upgrades (ie dual springs, trunion upgrade, pushrods, lifters, etc)

Jeff

[Spiffav8]

I'm coming to the experts since I know little about LS swaps. I just scored an 09 G8 GT 6.0 L76 with only 2k miles on it. Id like to swap this into my Nova or Camaro and I've been researching and wonder.My theory is that the L76 is a hybrid has the L92 heads so the only real difference between this and the LS3is the displacement and cam and tune. If I were to swap the cam(480 or 525hp GM cam) ,springs,DOD delete then in theory I should be running the same heads,cam similar compression and the G8 intake so couldn't I then run GM 's factory 480 or 525 hp swap harness and ECU and the motor run good? Or would the displacement difference of 6.0 (L76) compared to the the LS3's (6.2)be enough of a difference to throw the ecu off? Any ideas or facts would be appreciated

I have used Bill @ BP Automotive too in the past, great guy
Also look at PSI Conversions for harness & pcm

I would get either a Comp "off the shelf" cam or if you can swing it, have a custom cam spec'd and ground for your exact application (ie. Pat G. , Geoff @ EPS, Martin Smallwood, etc)

I built SpiffaV8 a L76 last year and I put in a EPS cam 226/234 598/601 113+2 LSA cam, with supporting valvetrain upgrades (ie dual springs, trunion upgrade, pushrods, lifters, etc)

Jeff

I've been driving Jeffs 68 which has basically the same engine build and it's no slouch. It's totally doable and a lot of bang for your buck!

Looking forward to seeing what you do.

[Yenko68]

I spoke with PSI and they offered a good starting point to get it running as is. I'm working with Comp cams and they had me provide them details. First they are going to give me a suggestion if I opt to run my TKO and next if I decide to run the 6L80E. I will share the specs shortly. Im torn on the 6L80E since I didn't want it but I got it as a package.

[Yenko68]

I spoke with PSI and they offered a good starting point to get it running as is. I'm working with Comp cams and they had me provide them details. First they are going to give me a suggestion if I opt to run my TKO and next if I decide to run the 6L80E. I will share the specs shortly. Im torn on the 6L80E since I didn't want it but I got it as a package. Thank you two for some feedback.

[analyte]

I have used Bill @ BP Automotive too in the past, great guy
Also look at PSI Conversions for harness & pcm

I would get either a Comp "off the shelf" cam or if you can swing it, have a custom cam spec'd and ground for your exact application (ie. Pat G. , Geoff @ EPS, Martin Smallwood, etc)

I built SpiffaV8 a L76 last year and I put in a EPS cam 226/234 598/601 113+2 LSA cam, with supporting valvetrain upgrades (ie dual springs, trunion upgrade, pushrods, lifters, etc)

Jeff

Ditto on Martin Smallwood. I worked with him on my LQ9 combo, and I couldn't be happier with it. I'll know the RW HP/TQ numbers at the end of this month when it goes for the final dyno/street tune so I'm excited.

Kerry

[Yenko68]

So here is what Comp suggests if I wanted to opt for the manual. At that point I would still need to find a tune (which I have no idea or desire to do) or tuner to make adjustments to the ecu. What do you think on the specs.?


Lenny,
You are correct, your L76 only has the DOD. Once you delete that and switch to a 3-bolt cam gear, you can run a standard kit.

I would recommend running part #54-458-11 which specs at 227/235 @.050 614/621 on 113lsa. This would give us a strong mid-range powerband with great street manners and a racey/choppy idle. It should work very well with a manual transmission as well.

The recommended spring kit is the #26925TS-KIT which comes with dual springs, tooled steel retainers, locks, seals and spring seats.
We also recommend running our #7638-16 pushrods, which are chromemoly steel construction.

The parts together would be $964.06 with free shipping and no tax outside TN.

[Jimmy Sean]

I just completed this swap in my Firebird. I bought a drop out from a wrecked G8 GT that included the throttle pedal and wiring harness. Purchased a cam kit from Brian Tooley Racing - LS3 NA Stage II cam 225/238 .612"/.585" 113+3, Titanium retainers, dual valve springs, seals and Chromoly pushrods for $700 and some change. I had Mike Norris do a mail order tune on the ECU and the harness reworked by John at Modern Vintage Systems. John bench tested everything and I'm super happy with everything so far as it fired up on the first try.

Something to think about is the oil pump. I swapped mine out for a Melling unit. Some people run the stock one but others said to swap it out, said there may be oiling issues if not using the factory oil pan.