Giving the LS3 More Power With Comp Cams and FAST!
As an economical way to upgrade the valvetrain, we got Comp Cams rocker arm trunnion upgrade kit.

The kit converts the sliding ball OEM trunion to a shaft with roller bearings, just like whats found on expensive roller rockers. The shaft mounted roller bearings will help prevent the rockers from tilting and skidding off the valve tips at high rpm, or when bouncing off the rev limiter, a problem we have seen claim more than a few drift LS engines.

The trunion kit greatly reduces friction and its improved stiffness and increased stability can actually help power production as well.

To help with high rpm breathing with no loss in midrange, we replaced the intake manifold with a high-performance part from FAST.

The FAST LSXR intake is designed to flow a lot more than stock and easy to disassemble in case you wanted to port the runners for even more flow. It is especially useful for getting more power on engines with larger than stock displacement.

The LSXR intake is compatible with the stock drive by wire throttle which we will be retaining for now or their own 102mm big throttle body.

 

The LSXR manifold features all polymer construction for lighter weight and lower thermal conductivity for a cooler intake charge.
The LSXR intake features high-quality nonrusting stainless mounting hardware.

 

The manifold has reusable fittings and silicone gaskets for the intake runners.

10 comments

  1. The LQ9 isn’t the iron block version of the LS3, they’re not even from the same LS Generation (LQ9 is Gen III and LS3 is Gen IV).

  2. Sure the LQ9 is a Gen III and the LS3 is a Gen IV but there are not many differences between the Gen III and Gen IV engines and most parts interchange. The major differences between engine generations here are some to accommodate DOD and VVT options that the LS3 does not use anyway. Where it affects you, in this case, is a single bolt vs 3 bolt cam for the sprocket. The LQ9 has a 4″ bore with the same stroke but its iron block can easily be bored to the LS3’s 4.065, all the internal parts interchange. The heads are the square port, LS3, L92 improved square port configuration and everything interchanges. A lot of Chevy tuners like the LQ9 for an inexpensive forced induction block as the iron block is stiffer under boost. Its cheaper than the LS7 based six head bolt solutions for better head sealing under pressure.

    1. The Comp Cams Trunion has a lot more bearing area than stock. As you can see in this picture the size difference in bearing area between stock and Comp Cams. You can also see that the stock trunions were beginning to gall on this engine with a stock cam and valvetrain. Installation does require some finesse and proper use of a press. A lot of people have good luck with this kit and perhaps some of the early failures were perhaps caused by improper heat treating and installation.

      I have seen many failures of stock rockers in high-level drifting which is more brutal than drag and road racing in some ways. Check out the pictures and the galling of the stock shafts.

      https://photos.smugmug.com/MotoIQ/Project-Cars/Project-Pink-350z/i-PKXPZXt/0/cf264521/L/DSC_0817-L.jpg

      Your info is good to know and thank you for bringing it to our attention and we will be keeping an eye on them but I don’t think we will have problems. We will report if we have issues.

    1. You are completely right, our block is bored out quite a bit to 4.065 and you can go as much as 4.090 as I recall which you can’t do with the aluminum blocks. Everything does interchange between the two motors though.

  3. Due to Rathyna’s penchant for not maintaining anything,

    Lol a woman not take care of her car?!!?!?! Unheard of!

    1. I unfortunately wasn’t really raised or taught to maintain vehicles. I have always been a driver, and the circles I associated with growing up never emphasized car maintenance. It was all about driving. Luckily I found MotoIQ and they’re teaching me a different way – it’s kind of a running joke with me at this point. I’ve gotten better…not quite good at it yet, but I at least understand the importance of vehicle maintenance and safety now 🙂

      TGI for MotoIQ <3

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