Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

LM4 5.3 with 45k miles. Cam swap coming up. Not doing the heads. Do I change the lifters? or am I good to go?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

i would, cheap insurance. LS7 lifters are rather cheap considering the peace of mind.

XtraCajunSS

iTrader: (2)

If you are not pulling the heads, you can't swap the lifters. If you are pulling the heads, I wouldn't say changing lifters is necessary, although I would definitely change the lifter trays. They are only about $8 each and you need 4.

Thanks,
Shane

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

I will do it if its really necessary. But then the head is off, and you know what that means..."might as well" upgrade. Iv seen people in searches saying replace..its cheap insurance..like bww3588 did(no offense and not to single you out) but I havent really seen any technical reasons. Wear patterns on the roller tip? they get weak after xxxxx amount of miles? The lifter could collapse because of xxxxx amount of miles and with the new higher lift cam there is more stress? Just wondering

jomomma

iTrader: (39)

personally, i would swap in the ls`7s. if thats all you planned on, then stick to the plan. i know its easy when the heads come off to wanna keep upgrading!

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

if your swapping cam, you probably need different pushrods, you may as well change the lifters. i/ve seen lifters fail because of a higher lift cam.

Ellis Juan

iTrader: (5)

Oh im definitely changing to hardened pushrods, dual patriot extreme, ti retainers blah blah..I guess if I change lifters I wont have to worry about using dowels or magnets to keep the lifters up. ha. My motor is on the stand so I have easy access. If I put new lifters in what head gaskets and head bolts should I go with. Replacement GM or get ARP.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Part of my thinking says if it's a pretty healthy cam it may be cheap insurance along with LS2 lifter trays. Smallish cam I think you will be fine at only 42k.....

sublime1996525

iTrader: (2)

Dude if your motor is already on the stand it shouldn't be to big of a deal to change the lifters and trays so you might as well.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

agreed. its around 170 bucks to change to LS7 lifters. your already dropping good money on the pushrods, springs...etc.

omore001

iTrader: (1)

+1 for adding LS7 lifters, cheap insurance, my '98 LS1 had 2 collapsed lifters.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

why do you need trays too? OP i would agree go ahead and change em.

sublime1996525

iTrader: (2)

Because the trays are only like $25-30 bucks more and it's just a bit more added insurance

chevysten

iTrader: (5)

Who sells the lifter trays for an 04 5.3 I'm pulling my heads and replacing my lifters tomorrow,I already bought my lifters and arp head bolts from Summit,but didn't see any trays.
Mike

hawk18

as far as im concerned they should be fine