DOD Delete + LS9 Cam
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:20 pm
I buttoned up a DOD delete and cam change recently (in time to beat Hurricane Irma).
I was looking for a cam with good balance of long term valve train reliability, low valvetrain noise, and good performance for a PD blower which will go on next. I wasn't looking for the biggest power or an overly choppy idle (been there, done that). After much consideration, I finally decided on the LS9 cam with its moderate lift and conservative LSA numbers which also has proven history of making good power.
I currently have fueling spot on right thru WOT but am running conservative timing due to no availability of 93 Octane during the Hurricane Irma. From the seat of the pants, the LS9 cam on 87 Octane is significantly stronger in the midrange/WOT than the stock L77 cam tuned on 93 Octane.
Here's a quick idle vid running at 600rpm, 20 degrees of Idle advance, and 6.36 g/s Min Idle Airflow @ 600rpm. It still chops just enough to tell people you are not totally stock, even though it actually is. Backing off 2 degrees and about 30-40rpm gets it nice and choppy for those that want more.
https://youtu.be/DCpaq5IcHlc
The major parts:
LS9 Cam
Morel 6504 Lifters
Trend Performance custom ground pushrods
Engine Pro Bronze bushing and Trunnion rocker arm upgrade
PAC 1218 0.600" lift beehive springs
LS2 Chain guide
Stock LS3 chain and cam sprocket
Melling 10295 oil pump
Stock MLS head and other gaskets
LSA Harmonic balancer with ARP bolt
ARP head bolts
Random picts:
Block and pistons crowns cleaned. This short block will run another 100K miles without sweating!
DOD valley oil pillars plugged with Lingenfelter Blind Rivets (especially when using a high pressure pump),
LS9 Cam going in! I use Redline Assembly lube on everything,
The "textbook" way to install the oil pump onto the pickup tube. If you shim your oil pump housing, you almost have to do it this way. Yes the engine has to be lifted and oil pan dropped.
Melling 10295 oil pump housing shimmed into place.
Engine Pro Bronze bushing and trunnions installed (PS. One rocker is missing from the pict. I dropped it onto the concrete floor. I culled it and I ordered a new one)
Berkebile Gum Cutter --- most awesome-est cleaner on earth (except for the resulting nervous system damage from working with it!). My twitching has almost gone away though so I think I'll be fine.
My redneck pressure oiler...
"Textbook" oiling location. Push oil in until you see it come up the pushrods and rocker oil holes. I continued to push 5 quarts in. Hey look, a third pulley for the LSA blower.
I was looking for a cam with good balance of long term valve train reliability, low valvetrain noise, and good performance for a PD blower which will go on next. I wasn't looking for the biggest power or an overly choppy idle (been there, done that). After much consideration, I finally decided on the LS9 cam with its moderate lift and conservative LSA numbers which also has proven history of making good power.
I currently have fueling spot on right thru WOT but am running conservative timing due to no availability of 93 Octane during the Hurricane Irma. From the seat of the pants, the LS9 cam on 87 Octane is significantly stronger in the midrange/WOT than the stock L77 cam tuned on 93 Octane.
Here's a quick idle vid running at 600rpm, 20 degrees of Idle advance, and 6.36 g/s Min Idle Airflow @ 600rpm. It still chops just enough to tell people you are not totally stock, even though it actually is. Backing off 2 degrees and about 30-40rpm gets it nice and choppy for those that want more.
https://youtu.be/DCpaq5IcHlc
The major parts:
LS9 Cam
Morel 6504 Lifters
Trend Performance custom ground pushrods
Engine Pro Bronze bushing and Trunnion rocker arm upgrade
PAC 1218 0.600" lift beehive springs
LS2 Chain guide
Stock LS3 chain and cam sprocket
Melling 10295 oil pump
Stock MLS head and other gaskets
LSA Harmonic balancer with ARP bolt
ARP head bolts
Random picts:
Block and pistons crowns cleaned. This short block will run another 100K miles without sweating!
DOD valley oil pillars plugged with Lingenfelter Blind Rivets (especially when using a high pressure pump),
LS9 Cam going in! I use Redline Assembly lube on everything,
The "textbook" way to install the oil pump onto the pickup tube. If you shim your oil pump housing, you almost have to do it this way. Yes the engine has to be lifted and oil pan dropped.
Melling 10295 oil pump housing shimmed into place.
Engine Pro Bronze bushing and trunnions installed (PS. One rocker is missing from the pict. I dropped it onto the concrete floor. I culled it and I ordered a new one)
Berkebile Gum Cutter --- most awesome-est cleaner on earth (except for the resulting nervous system damage from working with it!). My twitching has almost gone away though so I think I'll be fine.
My redneck pressure oiler...
"Textbook" oiling location. Push oil in until you see it come up the pushrods and rocker oil holes. I continued to push 5 quarts in. Hey look, a third pulley for the LSA blower.