L92 Engine Upgrade
 

Hi all, I've taken delivery of my L92 engine (from a 2007 Escalade) so things can start progressing on the engine front. I bought the engine thinking (rightly or wrongly) that I could upgrade it to "LS3 spec" for less than buying an actual LS3.

So hopefully someone on this forum with more knowledge than me can help me out here. My list of differences (i.e things to upgrade/replace with stock LS3) are as follows
- Intake (thinking BTR Trinity with Motion Raceworks 102mm Cable Throttle)
- Valves (stock LS3)
- Cam (Texas Speed BFD + BTR .660" Springs)
- VVT Delete (Michigan Motorsports VVT Delete Kit)

I won't be running power steering so I'm thinking of getting the ICT Billet 551137-LS74-3 Low Mount A/C Bracket and ICT Billet 551667EWP-3 Low Mount Alternator Bracket. I'd then also get a Moroso 63566 Electric Water Pump as I've got my heart set on an electric water pump.

Is there anything I've missed that I should be adding to the list? This is going in an NC with the V8 Roadsters subframe if that makes a difference (+ danST Throttle Cable Conversion Kit for the cable throttle).

I'm also doing an L92 to LS3 NC Miata swap. Your path should work fine but if your upgrading the valvetrain you might as well dig into lifters, oil pump, timing chain, and all of the corresponding upgrades and maintenance items. If you wanted to start down a lower cost path, you could try something like this:

• OEM Parts + AFM / DoD / VVT Delete Parts
  • LS3 Intake / Fuel Rails (Your choice of injectors for your setup)
  • LS3 Cam (OEM with Single Bolt Cam Gear)
  • LS3 Valley Cover or AFM / DoD Plugs (Check your motor)
  • LS Front Timing Cover 12633906 (Gen 4)
  • VVT to Non-VVT Camshaft Sensor Harness Adapter (or you can run a standalone harness or modify yours)
  • Fixed Timing Chain Dampener
  • Head Gasket Kit
  • Timing Cover Gasket Kit
• Specialty Tools Needed
  • $10? - Straight edge to align timing covers
  • $55 - Balancer Removal Tool (3 jaw pulley) - OEM TOOLS 25090
  • $15 - Balancer Install Tool (Went with a cheap Amazon model and it works great)
  • $15 - LS Valve Spring Compressor Tool (Went with a cheap Amazon 67605 and it works great)
  • Might Consider
    • Torque Angle Gauge, Dial Indicator, Degree wheel for cam, cam bearing tool,
• Notes
  • Accessories (Choose CTS-V, Corvette, Sikky, March Mid-Mount, etc.) - Make sure you match your water pump and accessory spacing
  • If swapping to a 3 bolt cam
    • (1) 58X 4 Pole 3-Bolt Timing Gear
    • $$$$ - Upgraded Valve Springs / retainers / trunnions / push rods / lifters / timing chain / trays / etc.
  • Will also need a new oil pan.....
  • 823 heads and valves are fine unless you want to spend a bunch of time at 7k rpm, then upgrade to LS3 intake valves
• Here are some of the kits worth looking at
  • $153.50 - Summit Racing™ VVT Delete Combos 09-0028 (https://proshop.summitracing.com/parts/cmb-09-0028)
  • $244.99 - Michigan Motorsports - VVT Delete Kit for Gen 4 LS Engines

Thanks for the info @acegp1 , that's given me a great starting point. Also great to know this forum isn't completely dead!

Will the 2wd rear sump not work?
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.v8m...f661107d6.jpeg
Either way I guess I'll find out when I get round to test fitting it with the V8Roadsters subframe 🫣

Many of us have (begrudingly for me) moved over to the V8Miata Facebook group.

I have joined FB as well, but it would be great to see this forum stay alive.

@MattFatPanda The OEM oil pan will not clear the subframe without some cutting and welding of the rear sump section.

You might look at these options if you want to go bolt-on:
https://v8roadsters.com/product/remote-filtercooler/
https://v8roadsters.com/product/screw-on-filter/
https://www.monstermiata.com/product-page/mast-oil-pan
https://www.moroso.com/oil-pan-gm-ls...97mU1oIoHJdPig

I’m trying to quit Facebook. But sadly many groups which would be better served by a forum have migrated to Facebook, which keeps me from deleting it.

I have such a problem with the doomscroll though, I seem to be extra susceptible. If a reel starts playing suddenly I’ve lost an hour.

Good to know people are still using it. Maybe I'll update my build thread some day.