Cam & Exhaust Upgrade for 2011 L99 A6 Convertible

[Shake & Bake]

I'm currently stock with exception to a K&N CAI and I'm looking for a good balance between performance and sound. I see that some of you have gone with Speed Inc's SI5V2 cam and I really like the sound of Stainless Works retro chambered, but with LTH's (which should be added as well) my wife would likely kill me after a couple of morning wakeups firing it up in the garage at 0600. I know that cutouts are stupid loud but I could keep them closed until a safe distance from home, but how much louder are they when compared to SW retro?

Anyhow, I'm basically looking for recommendations on a cam with good low rpm lope and hp and tq boost at the high end along with recommendations for an exhaust system that isn't too loud (but less anemic than stock) and with a deep no-rasp, low or no drone rumble. I'll disable AFM as well.

I'd also appreciate some ballpark figures on what I should expect to pay for parts and labor so I can get myself calibrated.

Thanks to all in advance!

[SYCK SS]

The easy pick would be a magna flow cat back. They are known to be quiet while cruising and open up a bit at WOT.

I'll let those chime in with experience converting l99 over to ls3 as they can speak from experience.

But overall cost I have heard around $3000 for cam and install (if you do an ls conversion). Then another $1000-1500 for exhaust

sent from my Note 3 using Tapatalk... that eoukd explain any errora

[gorgeous-ss]

I say go with stainless works retro chambered and long tubes.... I'm a little biased though as that's what I have

It would be pretty loud with a cam though as it really isn't mufflers more like resonators

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[litle88]

If you going to do the conversion is go with the Nightfury cam from lethal racing they have proved that cam time after time at the track and on the dyno.
Here's a link of an idle, keep in mind this is also a blower friendly cam and works good with roots/centrifugal style superchargers.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7310976&postcount=34

As far as conversion parts that you will need you can get them here:

http://www.briantooleyracing.com

Search his site, you'll need
Lifters either stock GM Ls7 lifters or an upgrade to those would be the BTR SLR lifters and the higher end Morel/Lunati linkbar lifters.

You'll need 4 lifter trays
A 3 bolt 4x reluctor cam sprocket

Ls2/3 front timing cover with sensor

Ls2/3 valley cover

GM MLS Ls3 head gaskets 4.065 bore

I'd go with ARP Cam bolts, ARP heads bolts and arp crank bolt
Simply Because they car top notch and they can be reused over and over.
Water pump gaskets

Your L99 oil pump is a small upgrade to the Ls3's, I do know of a few that have taken a dump BUT not as many as the Ls3's SO if you can is go with a melling 10296 and leave the higher ps spring in it. I've had mine for a few years and on the 2nd build NO ISSUES.

Get rid of the tensioner because ther BREAK all the damn time and invest in an Ls2 chain dampner (dog bone) and not worry about anything breaking.

Finally don't pass up the katech c5r timing chain is just worth it.

Here's another link I did a while ago for the folks interested
But not BTR sells it all so you won't need the TSP or lingenfelter links. It's a one stop shop with free shipping at BTR.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6487332&postcount=115

Tell him I sent ya and he might just cut you a lol deal.

[Shake & Bake]

Thanks for the quick responses. I also received a quote from Speed Inc. for about $6k for parts & labor including the cam, LS3 conversion, and full exhaust...another $1k+ for Yank stall upgrade. The recommended ARH headers and high flow cats were the biggest ticket item at nearly $1900. I'm admittedly outside my swim lane on this and have little time to do the installs myself.

The Night Fury cam does sound bada$$, but would you recommend Speed Inc. or another shop for install? Also, is the stall converter upgrade required and should I stick to something below the 3600 recommended by SI since I'll be doing very little track time?

[litle88]

Yes sending you a pm.

[FreakyFastFreddie]

Give Stefano at NicKey a call or PM him.

[Pro Stock John]

Have you had a cam before, what is your comfort level? Ditto on bigger stall converters.

[Shake & Bake]

I'm as virgin as you can get. This is my mid-life crisis car and I have more than a few years to make for driving imports and heavy trucks with guts but little glory :-) . I've been primarily fascinated by the sound of low rpm lope with loud exhaust since junior high but practical has always prevailed. I still want this car to be streetable first and fast second. I sold this to my wife as a family car...had to do a baby seat fit check :-) .

When you say ditto on the stall, are you agreeing with going for less than 3600 or were you asking about comfort level? If the latter, I have no experience with anything beyond factory, so advice is welcomed!

[Da Fisch]

I was just going to say, i am going in for a ls3 conversion+cam and torque converter by speed inc and it was just over 4 grand. Jan 22 is the date!

[Pro Stock John]

You might want to drive a car with a big cam and stall converter before you buy.

I'm in Chicago but I have a 3200 stall and you are more than welcome to drive mine at some point.

I consider the Night Fury cam to be big, and you might love it or you might find that the drive ability is not where you need it to be.

[litle88]

You might want to drive a car with a big cam and stall converter before you buy.

I'm in Chicago but I have a 3200 stall and you are more than welcome to drive mine at some point.

I consider the Night Fury cam to be big, and you might love it or you might find that the drive ability is not where you need it to be.

Well a 3200 stall would be perfect for that cam, drive ability will depend on the tuners experience and skill level.

[Hoosierguy]

What do you mean by drivability? How does it act? I too am considering a cam in a couple months.

[litle88]

It will act like a mans car! Lol

Adding a cam is NOT for the weak or the ones that are worried about MPG's.

You can go with small or big cams BUT like anything else you MUST have your supporting mods to go with it like a converter matched to your cam and if it's big enough you might have to add a lower gear so the surging is controlled and drive ability won't suffer BUT your tuner must know what to do with that too.

[FreakyFastFreddie]

It will act like a mans car! Lol

Adding a cam is NOT for the weak or the ones that are worried about MPG's.

You can go with small or big cams BUT like anything else you MUST have your supporting mods to go with it like a converter matched to your cam and if it's big enough you might have to add a lower gear so the surging is controlled and drive ability won't suffer BUT your tuner must know what to do with that too.

Good advice!