2006 Envoy Denali 5.3L LH6 Cam Swap
08-21-2009, 01:13 PM
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2006 Envoy Denali 5.3L LH6 Cam Swap
Finally finished the cam swap in my Envoy. I took some pictures and have some info but didn't have time for a full "how-to" or "guide". I do have some part numbers on the parts I used for the swap and to remove DOD...
Cam Swap Numbers:
LS2 valley cover (If new, should come with gasket) - GM 12570471
LS2 valley cover gasket (If needed) - GM 12610141
Front Engine Cover Gasket - GM 12574294
MLS Head Gaskets - GM 12589226
Water Pump Gaskets - GM 12588372
LS2 Lifter trays - GM 12595365
Front Cover Seal - GM 12585673
Exhaust Manifold Gasket - GM 12617944
LS7 lifters - GM 12499225
Texas-Speed Chromoly 7.400" Pushrods - 25-7400
ARP Crank Bolt (Uses 27mm 12pt socket, tq 190 ft/lbs.) - 234-2503
Patriot Gold Spring Kit .650" lift - 8401
ARP Hex Head Bolt Kit - 134-3610
Your Choice of Camshaft - 3-bolt LS1 style for 2006 models, 2007+ will require more parts to swap to 3-bolt style
Random Stuff:
Comp Cams Dual Spring Installer works wonders
Dewalt Cordless Impact - 18v w/quick disconnect for sockets
Mobil 1 Ext. Perf. Motor Oil - 5w-30 (1) 5 quart jug, (1) single quart (cheaper at Walmart)
Mobil 1 Ext. Perf. Oil Filter - M1-107
Prestone Dex-cool
Walmart Carb Cleaner
Orileys Engine Assembly Lube
Copper Spray
Hi-temp Hi-oil resistance gasket maker
Pen magnet
light weight ratchet
short socket extension (shorter than typical extension)
PCV Bypass:
Short Neck Oil Fill tube - GM 12559505
Spectre Small Breather Filter (For Driver Side - 3/8"-1/2" or 8-12mm)- 3998
Large Breather Filter (For Pass Side - 1.75" Inside Diameter)
Engine Cover Part Numbers:
SS Engine Cover - GM 12600390
9-7x Engine Cover - Saab 12600391
(both should come with rubber grommets already installed)
SS/9-7x Cover Wing Bolt - GM 10272909
SS/9-7x Cover Bracket (should come with "half-moon" retainers installed) - GM 12601206
Depending on your setup, you might need more parts or less. For my setup, this was all I used. I removed my PCV hoses so the engine wont "suck" oil from the intake. I simply put vacuum plugs on the pass side, intake, and valley cover fittings. I could have just plugged the fittings on both valve covers and connected the valley cover to the intake fitting. I just wanted to make sure no oil got in the intake. For the DOD, I tuned it off with HPtuners and plugged up the wiring connection that was on the valley cover.
Every thing else was pretty much re-used, except for the crank pulley bolt and head bolts. the original bolts are torque to yield so get new ones from GM or upgrade to ARP. On some parts or bolts, I only re-use them once but some times they need to be replaced. For example, i re-used the spark plugs and exhaust manifold bolts, but it one is damaged or worn, I'd replace all of them instead. Always use new head gaskets as well. I sprayed them with some copper spray just in case. I left the original timing chain and oil pump since they looked good to me. Always a good idea to go with new on those two though.
Also, there is a bolt with a smooth "ball" tip on the intake manifold, unbolt it and move it to the empty hole on the driver side for the engine cover.
If you are trying to do the swap your self, I recommend you look into LS1tech or LS1howto for guides and info first. But the best option is to take it to a professional/certified shop.
Btw, I was looking at the exhaust ports on the heads and they didnt seem to look exactly like the LS6 "D" shape ports. It looked to me as if the top and bottom of the port were flat like a square. Maybe i was just tired, i dunno. :bonk:
Cam Swap Numbers:
LS2 valley cover (If new, should come with gasket) - GM 12570471
LS2 valley cover gasket (If needed) - GM 12610141
Front Engine Cover Gasket - GM 12574294
MLS Head Gaskets - GM 12589226
Water Pump Gaskets - GM 12588372
LS2 Lifter trays - GM 12595365
Front Cover Seal - GM 12585673
Exhaust Manifold Gasket - GM 12617944
LS7 lifters - GM 12499225
Texas-Speed Chromoly 7.400" Pushrods - 25-7400
ARP Crank Bolt (Uses 27mm 12pt socket, tq 190 ft/lbs.) - 234-2503
Patriot Gold Spring Kit .650" lift - 8401
ARP Hex Head Bolt Kit - 134-3610
Your Choice of Camshaft - 3-bolt LS1 style for 2006 models, 2007+ will require more parts to swap to 3-bolt style
Random Stuff:
Comp Cams Dual Spring Installer works wonders
Dewalt Cordless Impact - 18v w/quick disconnect for sockets
Mobil 1 Ext. Perf. Motor Oil - 5w-30 (1) 5 quart jug, (1) single quart (cheaper at Walmart)
Mobil 1 Ext. Perf. Oil Filter - M1-107
Prestone Dex-cool
Walmart Carb Cleaner
Orileys Engine Assembly Lube
Copper Spray
Hi-temp Hi-oil resistance gasket maker
Pen magnet
light weight ratchet
short socket extension (shorter than typical extension)
PCV Bypass:
Short Neck Oil Fill tube - GM 12559505
Spectre Small Breather Filter (For Driver Side - 3/8"-1/2" or 8-12mm)- 3998
Large Breather Filter (For Pass Side - 1.75" Inside Diameter)
Engine Cover Part Numbers:
SS Engine Cover - GM 12600390
9-7x Engine Cover - Saab 12600391
(both should come with rubber grommets already installed)
SS/9-7x Cover Wing Bolt - GM 10272909
SS/9-7x Cover Bracket (should come with "half-moon" retainers installed) - GM 12601206
Depending on your setup, you might need more parts or less. For my setup, this was all I used. I removed my PCV hoses so the engine wont "suck" oil from the intake. I simply put vacuum plugs on the pass side, intake, and valley cover fittings. I could have just plugged the fittings on both valve covers and connected the valley cover to the intake fitting. I just wanted to make sure no oil got in the intake. For the DOD, I tuned it off with HPtuners and plugged up the wiring connection that was on the valley cover.
Every thing else was pretty much re-used, except for the crank pulley bolt and head bolts. the original bolts are torque to yield so get new ones from GM or upgrade to ARP. On some parts or bolts, I only re-use them once but some times they need to be replaced. For example, i re-used the spark plugs and exhaust manifold bolts, but it one is damaged or worn, I'd replace all of them instead. Always use new head gaskets as well. I sprayed them with some copper spray just in case. I left the original timing chain and oil pump since they looked good to me. Always a good idea to go with new on those two though.
Also, there is a bolt with a smooth "ball" tip on the intake manifold, unbolt it and move it to the empty hole on the driver side for the engine cover.
If you are trying to do the swap your self, I recommend you look into LS1tech or LS1howto for guides and info first. But the best option is to take it to a professional/certified shop.
Btw, I was looking at the exhaust ports on the heads and they didnt seem to look exactly like the LS6 "D" shape ports. It looked to me as if the top and bottom of the port were flat like a square. Maybe i was just tired, i dunno. :bonk:
08-21-2009, 07:29 PM
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Nice job, but I have to ask, just how did you get the original oil fill tube out of the valve cover? I took my valve cover off and played with it for about 10 minutes the other night and couldn't get it to turn more than a 1/4". I see the aluminum tab keeping it from rotating, but how do you get it done?
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08-23-2009, 01:46 AM
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Nice job, but I have to ask, just how did you get the original oil fill tube out of the valve cover? I took my valve cover off and played with it for about 10 minutes the other night and couldn't get it to turn more than a 1/4". I see the aluminum tab keeping it from rotating, but how do you get it done?
.....err.. Video 