How to swap an LS Cam - VVT Delete, Electrical, Push Rods - Everything you need to know

I had all the issues as I show you how to swap an LS cam. I show you what to do if your lifter guides are warn out and will not hold the lifters away from the cam shaft. I show you how to do an VVT delete and how to make sure your pushrods are the correct length. This video will be one of my one stop shopping videos, so I have included all the torque specs that I am using on my LY6. Below are the links for everything I used for this swap...tuning videos to come.
Thank You Richard Holdener • HOW TO DIY: MEASURE LS...
COMP Cams 7639-16 Magnum 7.450" Long.080" Wall, 5/16" Diameter Pushrod Set
amzn.to/3kmHUeK
Pushrod Length Checker Adjustable Range of the Push Rod Length Checker is 6.80" to 7.80" Push Rod
amzn.to/3KztcvQ
NEIKO 01409A 12” Electronic Digital Caliper | Extra Large Display | 0 - 12 Inches | Inch/Fractions/Millimeter Conversion | Polished Stainless Steel
amzn.to/3m3MHm5
This would have been helpful
Crank Pulley Install Tool Harmonic Balancer Installation Tool 551141 Replacement for GM LS Series Engines 1997-UP (Gen 3, 4 & 5)
amzn.to/3YSNAfA
This would have made things easier
25264 GM LS Harmonic Balancer Puller, LS Crank Pulley Puller, Remove LS Balancer Without Tapped Holes, Engine Quick Removal Harmonic Balancer, Compatible with GM, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge1
amzn.to/3Zjo1E6
Not the same kit I used, but this one comes with water pump seals and a plug and play harness that might make wiring easier.
Basic VVT Kit With VVT TO NON VVT PLUG AND PLAY ADAPTER
amzn.to/3koXCGo

[@bajalarry8738]

Best channel on KZbin very informative can’t wait for the new build episodes 👍🏽

[@ntdracing]

Thanks

[@danrayton9666]

Thank you. The explanation of push rod length helped me

[@ntdracing]

You are welcome…thanks for watching.

[@coarsegrind]

12:00. This is what I needed today. Did mine differently but it’ll work.

[@gerrypatrick]

I WILL be using this video to cam swap my LY6 using the same cam!I’ve been searching for an in depth video like this one (the only one with this kind of detail!!!) in order to use that cam or possibly the BTR Truck Norris cam we’ll see, thanks for the content!

[@ntdracing]

No problem. I am planning to do a tuning video, but want to put the content to practice a few times before I make the video.

[@Brksblake]

This was amazing

[@honcho714]

Thanks ,very informative and no bullshit .

[@tophmatthews]

“So folks when you want to fix the guts of your engine, you gotta start at the wooden dowel section of your local hardware store…”

[@ntdracing]

I thought the same thing…but it worked.

[@henryfernandez8517]

Nice video 👍🏼

[@Group-Five-Industries]

Your are a damn professor Sir!

[@ntdracing]

Thanks

[@ntdracing]

Thanks

[@dualcasedtoy]

This finally gave me the motivation to pull my 6.0, do the compression test and get ready to put the cam in. Maybe it will be ready to fire soon.

[@ntdracing]

Good luck. Thanks for watching.

[@jimcollins9316]

As usual, another amazing video! Your style of narration and editing is superb. If I missed it, I apologize. What is the difference between the old and new cam?

[@ntdracing]

Old cam was the stock VVT cam. New one is the Sloppy Mechanics “Best Cam”.

[@philortega6516]

Just subscribed to your channel. I'm not an off-road guy,but I'm in the process of installing a LY6 6.0 into my 72 chevelle with a t56 6 speed from a 4th gen camaro. I'll be learning from your channel. Any advice on a computer?

[@treybadd]

You need to tighten the front cover and pan bolts in sequence to assure you are flat on the pan mating surface or you will crack the pan in the cover is too high.

[@filiptrojanek5083]

I really enjoyed our video. I have the exact same engine and transmission package for my desert truck. The wooden dowel trick was money. Definitely will be using that. Maybe I missed it but what were the specs for the cam you ended up with?

[@uncommonsense5876]

8:50 assembly lube... assembly lube... assembly lube

[@dennislebow1526]

At 8:35 I was on the edge of my seat! 😂

[@ntdracing]

Me too

[@coarsegrind]

I should have watched this before I started. I had to use 7.425 pushrods for now. I ordered 7.450 & 7.475 but I won’t get them for 5 days.

[@regigilman2255]

I'm not bouging on him All in all, He did an amazing job I just thought why not pull the spark plugs and set that piston at TDC to set valve lash....

[@johnconsentino8124]

There hydraulic lifters. There’s no valve lash adjustment

[@regigilman2255]

​​I understand hydraulic lifters , to gain it's full lash the valves needs to be completely closed/up only then the valve bolts are to be torqued wouldn't you think that'll allow a more spring hight @@johnconsentino8124

[@coarsegrind]

Torx screws on the retainer plate get 11 ft/lbs. cam sprocket bolts get 18 ft/lbs

[@ntdracing]

Thanks.

[@richarddigrosso1353]

Did you do a tune did computer pick up on no vvt have to add some timing back in ??

[@ntdracing]

Took it to a tuner. They took a bunch of timing out. Monster now.

[@coltonseale2666]

I am doing a cam swap on my L76 6.0 and the timing cover plate I have for the vvt delete doesn’t have a new bracket or wiring harness what I really want to know is if what you did by cutting the wires to the vvt sensor worked after being tuned, it would be great if I don’t have go buy a new harness or bracket

[@ntdracing]

100%. The harness just finished the Baja 1000.

[@dustinsamson4879]

This might be a stupid question but couldn't you just flip the motor up side down to take the cam shaft out?

[@ntdracing]

That is an Einstein level question. Wish I had thought of it.

[@vincegrice5982]

Absolutely a great idea

[@rickyverrill4093]

What made you think of checking the rod length on the pushrods did you use an aftermarket cam not stock cam

[@ntdracing]

I did do a cam swap.

[@enriquedelarosa2063]

What about the timing chain tensioner? Does that need to be replaced ? I’m doing a VVT DOD delete on my escalade 6.2. Do I need to remove the oil pump and do the oil pan relief valve plug ?

[@coarsegrind]

I left the chain tensioner in and just used the chain as is.

[@mrflinstone2553]

Thinking about doing this to my 07 escalade vvt delete

[@The.BroBrigade]

Can knock or lifter collapse happen if you don’t get a tune before turning on?

[@ntdracing]

Not sure about lifter collapse, but it should not have issues with knock. The base tunes are usually very conservative and if you have knock sensors, that should also protect the engine until you get proper tune.

[@tylerthierry5278]

does the vvt delete require tuning or does it just not worry about it if the extra sensor isnt connected?

[@ntdracing]

Yes. It probably will run on the old tune, but not well. You have to tell the ECM that there will not be a shift in the cam/valve timing. I then tuned the MAF chart, speed density and spark. I am planning on making a video, but the guy at Goat Rope Garage is great at explaining this stuff.

[@gt86yen85]

So did you turn the engine before pulling the rocker arms?

[@ntdracing]

No. During this process I removed the rocker arms first then turned the cam over to seat the lifters in the plastic treys. I could hear some lifters fall back to the cam. This is where the wooden dowel rod came in to hold those lifters from falling into the engine when the cam is removed.

[@luiscardozo0000]

if you eliminate the vvt you got less horse powers so far ...why you do that?

[@John-zv6gw]

So the 2 VVT wires were put together and used as a ground with the rivet? Since the signal wire has nothing to signal and ground needs to be uh grounded? lol sorry I’m trying to do the same thing here

[@ntdracing]

No…both wires to the VVT are cut and left alone. I cut them at different lengths so that they would not accidentally touch each other. The reason I had to use a rivet was to Frankenstein a non-VVT metal bracket on top of a 4 prong VVT plug on the bottom. This allows you to use the original wiring from your harness without having to purchase new connectors.

[@ntdracing]

Hope that answers the question. If not, let me know.

[@John-zv6gw]

@@ntdracing copy that, cut the VVT wires off, tape them off done. Leave the Cam sensor alone and keep the same number of prongs on the harness.

[@John-zv6gw]

@@ntdracing new subscriber, thank you

[@ntdracing]

@@John-zv6gw anytime.

[@AlessioSangalli]

Why is the variable timing not desirable to the point that you made a delete? Just for reliability reasons or...?

[@ntdracing]

Well…the truth is that I really want to learn how to tune LS engines and my thoughts are that it will be an easier path to remove as many variables as I can in the early stages of the process. Non-VVT seems a little more straightforward. It sounds cool too.

[@AlessioSangalli]

🤣👍👍👍

[@gregmay2155]

Its very desirable. It improves gas mileage and power through the entire rpm range. A lot of people are scared of the unknown lol. When swapping a cam or any part that affects A/F ratio your vehicle has to be DYNO tuned by a professional TUNER to get the full benefits of that part. That's it. No if, ands, or buts. If you tuner suggest vvt delete find a new tuner. The only exception I can think of right now would be 1,500+ hp drag car or an engine that lives above 4,000 rpm. With vvt and a good tune driveablity will be like stock. If not find a new tuner and by tuner I mean the person telling the computer what to do

[@jcanfixall1585]

​@@gregmay2155I think he confused VVT with DOD... I also would never use red locktite on small engine bolts and there was no reason to mangle the cam sensor wires...

[@mrflinstone2553]

No programing needed?

[@ntdracing]

No…a bunch of programming. I am getting the details together to make a video of how I tuned the engine. Feels like going back to school to get a PHD. Will try to have it out soon.

[@mrflinstone2553]

@NTD Racing been thinking about doing this on my o7 escalade p0011 wont go away engine is strong no symptoms I've changed everything on the timing pick up tube oil pump. Oil pressure is within specs cold & hot no other engine codes exept stabilitrac light intermittently comes on & off here & there.

[@DoyleShadduck]

So Chevy copy’s Mopar’s single rail rocker shafts. Well they say copying is the most sincerest form of flattery I guess. I hope Mopar sues them for every single penny! That’s my 2 cents.

[@jcanfixall1585]

Ignorance is bliss!!! Do you feel the bliss???

[@jamescapodanno1861]

why did you install a new cam and use the old lifters? that should cause the cam to go flat!!!!!!!!!!

[@ntdracing]

Engine is kicking ass. I will try anything to save a buck.

[@MrPdoe]

roller rockers should be fine.

[@jcanfixall1585]

Wrong!!! They are roller lifters not flat tappet lifters...