COMP Cams 5456 GM Cam Phaser Limiter Kit User Manual

COMP Cams®

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN 38118

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.compcams.com

Part #COMP4-122
Revised 6/19/2014

GM Cam Phaser Limiter Kit (Part #5456)

2007-2008 L92 Engines

2014 LT1/L83/L86

Patent #8,291,876 B2

Thank you for choosing COMP Cams® products; we are proud to be your manufacturer of choice.
Please read this instruction sheet carefully before beginning installation, and also take a moment to
review the included limited warranty information.

Description

Qty.

Description

Qty.

Cam Phaser Limiter Plug

1

Safety Bolt

1

Cam Phaser Spring Compression Tool

1

Safety Nut

1

Cam Phaser Spring Lock Tool

1

Washer

2

Torx Plus Bit

1

INSTRUCTIONS

COMP Cams®

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN 38118

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.compcams.com

Part #COMP4-122
Revised 6/19/2014

Read This Pre-installation Guide Before Installing Kit !!!!!!!

GM cam phaser, how it works, its limitations and how COMP uses them for making more power

What is a cam phaser?

GM’s cam phaser is a specially designed, computer controlled cam gear that has the ability to adjust camshaft position
while the engine is running.

How does it work?

Engine oil is pressure fed through a series of passageways in the camshaft, out to the cam phaser. The engine computer
controls a solenoid that adjusts the oil flow into, and out of, a series of chambers inside the cam gear. Located inside these
chambers are vanes, attached to a free-floating central hub. The hub is directly attached to the camshaft, and as oil is
allowed into and out of these chambers, the position of the cam can be retarded up to 60 crankshaft degrees.

Why did GM put it in the engine?

GM’s primary reason for using a cam phaser was to increase the engine’s efficiency by reducing it’s pumping losses.
Basically, when the cam is retarded 20-40 degrees, during part throttle engine operation, it takes less power to turn the
engine over. This helps to increase the engine’s fuel efficiency, but an additional power benefit is also realized by being
able to position the camshaft for maximum power, regardless of what rpm the engine is running at. This results in an engine
that makes more torque and horsepower and extends the high rpm power-band.

Why should I modify the cam phaser with COMP’s limiter kit?

If there is a downside to the cam phaser as designed by GM, it’s that it has such a wide range of movement. Since the cam
can theoretically be retarded up to 52 degrees, there is very little piston to valve clearance in the engine. This minimal
piston to valve clearance limits us to fairly small cam profiles with very little overlap; not the best for making maximum
power or achieving an aggressive idle sound.

What does COMP’s cam phaser limiter kit do?

COMP’s Cam Phaser Limiter is a precision machined block that is inserted into one of the control chambers in the cam
phaser. This limiter block takes up excess volume that would normally be used by the factory cam gear for movement. By
installing COMP’s cam phaser limiter, the cam design window opens up, allowing you to install a big, powerful camshaft
with safe piston to valve clearances. At the same time, by keeping up to 16 degrees of movement available, all of the wide­open throttle benefits of the cam phasing can still be retained.

Why can’t I just reprogram the ECU to limit cam phaser movement?

Since GM’s factory engine computer is fully programmable, the question arises as to why you can’t simply program in the
limits and not bother with mechanically limiting the cam phaser. Theoretically you could do that, but a problem arises if
something happens that would cause the engine’s rpm to shift faster than the cam phaser controls can react to. For example,
if you ever missed a shift, broke a driveline part, did a clutch dump on a sticky set of slicks, or anything that could for a
split second cause the cam phaser to get out of it’s programmed limits, the valves could crash into the pistons. By
mechanically limiting the maximum movement of the cam phaser, total engine safety is assured when running a big
performance cam in these engines.

Do I have to reprogram my engine’s computer after installing COMP’s Cam Phaser Limiter Kit?

While not a requirement for proper engine operation, major gains in performance can often times be had with custom
tuning.

What camshaft profiles has COMP developed to work with the Cam Phaser Limiter Kit?

The Cam Phaser Limiter Kit unlocks the door to safely use much more powerful camshaft grinds. COMP Cams

®

spent a
tremendous amount of engine dyno time testing and developing special designs for maximum power, torque and reliability.
Along with these premier camshafts, a complete line of valve springs, pushrods, rocker arms and retainers are available that
round out the matched performance package.

COMP Cams®

3406 Democrat Rd.

Memphis, TN 38118

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.compcams.com

Part #COMP4-122
Revised 6/19/2014

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Note: These instructions give a very basic overview of what is required to install the COMP Cams

®

GM Cam
Phaser Limiter Kit. They in NO WAY replace the VERY specific factory instructions for removing and replacing
the camshaft. Failure to follow the specific factory recommended instructions for removal and replacement of the
camshaft during the installation of the cam phaser limiter can lead to an incorrectly timed camshaft and resulting
engine damage.

WARNING!!!!

Extreme care must be taken when handling the cam phaser. In particular, the thin metal sensor
trigger wheel that is attached to the front of the cam phaser is only held on by a light friction fit
once the cam bolt is removed. Do NOT handle the cam phaser by this trigger wheel, as it pulls off
it’s installation pins very easily if care is not taken. A safety bolt is provided in the kit that will
hold this trigger wheel in place while handling. Remember to install this safety bolt while
handling the cam phaser. If the trigger wheel comes off the cam phaser, the coil spring on the
front of the gear will unwind and the cam phaser will be ruined, requiring you to purchase
another.

VERIFY CAM PHASER!!!!

GM designed 62 crank degrees of total cam phaser movement for the L92, 2007-2008 LS1 and
2014 LT1/L83 model year engines. For 2009 and newer engines, this was mechanically reduced
to 52 degrees. Due to the fact that the factory often times makes running changes in their
production line, regardless of what year engine you may have, it is always a good idea to verify
which cam phaser you have installed in the engine. See the pictures below and compare the
measurements from your cam phaser to them:

2007-2008 L92 cam phasers have a
.935 in. chamber width (62 crank deg.)

2009-current cam phasers have a .815
in. chamber width (52 crank deg.)