salemetro

iTrader: (5)

Okay...So I've read more than a few threads now relating to the "ls7" lifters. When I built the engine for my latest swap, I used them..along with the the Comp trunion kit, 918 springs, Ti retainers, and Comp Hi-tech pushrods..... thinking that I'd have a quiet valvetrain, and that they would be a decent-for-the-price lifter. Now, I'm not so sure.

Damned sewing machine noise has me going crazy!

During initial assembly, I measured required pushrod length, and went with .080 pre-load as it seemed to be the recommened amount. When we started the car for the first time, it had a fairly substantial amount of valvetrain noise...noise which largely dissipated. But it's still there....just not as pronounced.

So, I started researching some more...and found that some people were swearing that .050 preload was the way to go. I decided to order another set of pushrods....installed them...only a slight improvement after 100 miles.

I'm now actually considering tearing the whole top-end apart.... yet again, and getting rid of the ls7 lifters.

My question is....what lifters?? I want a QUIET valvetrain, and know that it's possible. I heard a guy's freshly-rebuilt LS1 the other day...and it was silent....that's what I'm wanting.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

-James-

Edit: Thought I should also mention, the cam is just a "5308" z06 cam....nothing fancy.

THE F-BODY KING

iTrader: (10)

I have a set (16) of Comp High Energy Hydraulic Roller Lifters. New these lifters sell for $225.00 through Comp. Less than 6k miles on them.

$175 shipped to you.

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the offer....but I'm not necessarily looking for a deal. Hell, I'd spend $500.00 on a damned set of lifters....as long as it will quiet everything down, ya know?

I'm just looking for feedback from others right now regarding what they're using, and how they like them.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

What oil viscosity you using, have you tried using a different(thicker) viscosity?

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

I'm using 5w30 Royal Purple. I'm also using a Katech oil pump, and pressure looks good. I get where you're going with the viscosity idea....but I'm thinking that 5w30 should be fine, as that's what they run from the factory. But then again.....

Unertl42

iTrader: (63)

I'm also wondering about a "quieter" valvetrain. I also have the LS7 lifters

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

5w-30 is spec'd for CAFE reasons not because it is the best choice. Royal purple is NOT known to be a good street oil by those who actually research and understand Used Oil Analysis.

I would try a different oil, even in 5w-30 long as it is API rated it is safe to use but you might find switching brands the cheapest and most effective way to resolve this "issue". The LS7s are a quiet OEM lifter, it is not like you went to an aftermarket bleeddown lifter or anything. Then again why did you buy new lifters atall? With a roller cam they are not necessary to replace with a cam swap.

Rare96LT1Formula

iTrader: (32)

I figured it'd only be a matter of time before oil was mentioned. I agree with trying another oil, but same viscosity. Pennzoil Platinum?

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

Good info. My primary reason for using it, is that the vehicle is my daily-driver..and I'm hoping to lessen oil-change frequency. I'm open to suggestions/options here.

Granted....but it seemed like a worthwhile "upgrade" for a car that will see 30k-40k/year doing duty as my commuter car. I was having the heads ported as well, so just though I should do it while I was already there....

Havoc40

Production lifters, from any manufacturer, should not be sensitive to the oil viscosity used. Period.

If your hearing a definitive difference in lifter noise directly related to a change in oil viscosity, the lifters were built to a lower leakdown rate and probably right at or outside the accepted leakdown range to begin with. I can guarantee this with 100% certainty.

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

I think that I recall reading some of your other posts re. LS7 lifter height differences. IIRC, you build lifters...correct?

JS01

iTrader: (10)

Which intake manifold do you have on the car?

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

LS6 intake.

ncfastls1

iTrader: (1)

I don't know enough to help you with the lifters, but I do have a tip for oil. I used Mobil 1 ever since I got the car thinking it was the best since that's what was recommended but my valvetrain was very noisy...I wanted to change that. I heard some people say that Castrol Syntec quieted it down. So I tried that, switched from 5w-30 Mobil 1 to 5w-30 Castrol Syntec EDGE and what do you know...my lifters are about silent now. Made a big difference; I've been using Castrol ever since.

Havoc40

Yes, I work in product development for a lifter manufacture.

ncfastls1, that's because of the properties of Mobil 1 vs. Castrol, and if the advertised viscosity was actually what was in the bottle. You'd be surprised at those test results. Refer to my previous post as to why you heard a difference.

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

Good to know. So....suggestions??

Havoc40

Can't help ya there bud...I'm not a contributing sponsor here yet and don't want to burn that bridge. Working hard on changing that.

I just try to bring some insight around here when questions regarding hyd. lifters come up, since it's something few people really understand.

I'm sure many will be along to help with your question....

Gordon0652

iTrader: (4)

Have LS7 lifters in my G8 with the specs in my sig. They are annoying at low rpms (0-2000) I have heard comp makes a quieter lifter, might go with a nice Lunati, Morel lifter. Link bars will be loud also.

salemetro

iTrader: (5)

That's EXACTLY what mine is doing. I thought that I might be able to mitigate the problem by using less preload, but it sounds like a few of them are just bleeding off way too quickly.

99 Blue Bird

iTrader: (3)

as a reply to using better oil go with some Ams Oil. way better than royal purple.