LS9 Camshaft Installation in LS3, L99, LS7, LS2, LS6 or LS1

[Tim@Lingenfelter]

The 2009-2010 LS9 ZR1 camshaft is a perfect choice for LS supercharged or turbocharged engines. The LS9 camshaft is 211/230 @.050 valve lift and .558/.552 lift with 1.7 rockers and a 122.5 centerline.

Before the LS9 was introduced LPE used the GT7 camshaft that John Lingenfelter designed in 2001 to be the perfect camshaft for boosted LSx applications. The GT7 was 208/230 @.050 valve lift and .554/.546 and 121 center line this camshaft produced excellent power and still had great street driveablity. In 2009 GM introduced the LS9 in the C6 ZR1 supercharged Corvette engine. After comparing specifications on the camshaft and finding out how economical this is due to it being mass produced Lingenfelter discontinued the GT7 and started using the LS9 in supercharged or turbocharged applications.

The LS9 camshaft is a 3 bolt design and will use the Lingenfelter 3 bolt cam conversion kit (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L200175307&Category_Code=) if you are installing it in a single bolt application like the 2007 – 2010 LS2 or LS3. If you are installing it in an earlier LS1 or LS6 engine with the cam sensor at the back of the engine you will need a 2005 LS2 front cover (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L200010106&Category_Code=), 2005 1x cam sprocket (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12586481&Category_Code=), camshaft extension harness (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=CE-109081&Category_Code=), 2005 LS2 chain dampner. (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12588670&Category_Code=)

If you are installing this in a 2010 Camaro L99 engine you also will need to replace L99 lifters with LS3 lifters (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12499225&Category_Code=) and lifter guides. (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12595365&Category_Code=) Replace L99 front cover with a LS3 front cover (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L200010106&Category_Code=). While the heads are off you may also want to replace the L99 valves with the lighter 2.160" hollow stem LS3 intake valves (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12569427&Category_Code=), 1.59" heavy duty Inconnel exhaust valves. (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12612427&Category_Code=)

Here is a link to the LS9 camshaft in our store. (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12605527&Category_Code=)

[dallasstx]

How ironic... stuff a ZR1 cam in one of the fraternal twin's LS1 motors (see sig below) costs about the same price as doing so with the Lingenfelter GT7... after buying the necessary adaptive hardware.

The Lingenfelter GT2-3 cam is probably better for my non-boosted needs coupled with Z06 "243" heads, but it would sure turn a few heads to say you got a ZR1 cam providing the heartbeat in a LS1's aluminum block !

[tirkob1]

Would this cam work well in my sts turbod' trailblazer ss.?

[Tim@Lingenfelter]

The ZR1 LS9 camshaft would work excellent in a Trailblazer SS with a turbocharger and will still keep the low RPM torque numbers up which is important in a somewhat heavy vehicle.

[tirkob1]

With this cam would I need to go with different length pushrods?

[Jeff@Lingenfelter]

stock 7.400 pushrods are all that is necessary for a street driven TBSS with this cam. You should always double check, but we normally reuse them and they do very well.

[Magnacharged_G8]

If I wanted to put a LS9 cam on my 08 G8 GT what exactly would I need to do that? Thanks

[Tim@Lingenfelter]

The LS9 camshaft is a 3 bolt design and will use the Lingenfelter 3 bolt cam conversion kit (http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforumfiles/../mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L200175307&Category_Code=) if you are installing it in a single bolt application like the 2007 – 2010 L76, LS2 or LS3 you will need the 2005 LS2 front cover (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L200010106&Category_Code=), camshaft extension harness (http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforumfiles/../mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=CE-109081&Category_Code=) also because your engine has cylinder deactivation you will need to replace L76 or L99 lifters with LS3 lifters (http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforumfiles/../mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12499225&Category_Code=) and lifter guides. (http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforumfiles/../mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12595365&Category_Code=) This will eliminate the cylinder deactivation option.

[stevieturbo]

When setting the cam timing. Seeing as the chains do seem to stretch quite a bit. Should this be taken into account if using a new chain ?

[Tim@Lingenfelter]

We would recommend replacing the chain if the existing chain has excessive slack. When setting camshaft timing you would not alter the install degree spec for consideration of wear in the chain.

For the GM ZR1 LS9 (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=12605527&Category_Code=) camshaft we would degree the camshaft in at 121.5 CL.

For another example the Lingenfelter GT9 ZR1 camshaft (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=L210150309&Category_Code=) which is 215/247 .629/.656 121 CL we would degree the camshaft in at 121 CL. If you need to replace the timing chain we recommend the HD IWIS chain (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=SD3SR602&Category_Code=) or the IWIS C5R timing chain (http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LPE&Product_Code=HME-G68V-2&Category_Code=).

[stevieturbo]

I'm currently using a duplex chain.

With regards to the GT9 cam. What lifters are recommended ? Valve springs etc ?

I'm using Trickflow 225CNC heads with their top spec duals.

I really want to try this cam in my 402/YSi combo to give a smoother idle and better fuel economy. But the big lift concerns me with regards to my current valvetrain.
I'd be hoping to make use of 7000rpm. ( maximum ) Although normally shift around 67-6800rpm at present with 232/240 on 115LSA

Is that a realistic prospect ?

[jamesbond2509]

Does anyone have the full specs on the LS9 cam including valve exhaust and intake valve closings. That would be helpful as im planning to install next week.

[Mike_11CTSV]

LS9 - .558/.552 lift with 1.7 rockers, 221/230 duration at .050, 122.5 centerline.
GT9 - .629/.656 lift with 1.7 rockers, 215/247 duration at .050, 121 CL
LSA - .480/.480 lift with 1.7 rockers, 198/216 duration @.050

I've been considering throwing the LS9 or GT9 at my LSA, depending on if I decide to swap the springs or not.