Because this car is eventually going to have an LSA setup on it, as stated in the first post. The cam going in is also a supercharger cam.

Do I have this kind of thing to look forward to from you each time I post? You could save us both some trouble and stop looking at the thread if you don't like my approach.

Have been on hiatus a few days and the plan is (rather, was) to get some work done and hopefully get the cam swap buttoned up this weekend. However, this hobby is not forgiving to our plans.

I went ahead and finished stripping down the front of the engine.
Attachment 715669

I pulled the cam and all looked well with the removed components.
Attachment 715670

Unfortunately...I forgot to turn the lights off so I was able to see the cam bearings, haha. The wear on the first bearing didn't bother me much, it was the second bearing that was cause for concern.
Attachment 715671


So...these are going to need to be replaced. This means my plan for the weekend has changed. I will now be pulling the shortblock out and tearing it down for the machine shop. We will see how everything looks on tear down. This may end up being a complete refresh, if anything looks crazy I will weigh my options. There is already temptation to forge the bottom end, but at my goals it really isn't needed.

In the mean time, I did get my rocker arms disassembled. This press made the process pretty easy.
Attachment 715672

All the internals from the arms.
Attachment 715673

Empty rocker arms.
Attachment 715674


Will get started on removing the rest of the engine today. On the upside it will make reassembly on the stand a lot easier than in the car. Also will give me a chance to wipe down the engine bay.

Cam bearings in one of my 5.3s looked like those. So I took it to the machine shop and had them replaced, took my cam with me when I picked it up. Needless to say it wouldn't fit anymore and by the time he dingle honed the new bearings for clearance they looked just like my old ones.

Well today I got everything torn out. Short block is currently loaded up and will be going to the machine shop tomorrow to weigh some options and make a decision on what to do.

Engine all hooked up and ready to pull.
Attachment 715664

Engine on the stand.
Attachment 715665

Stripped down to the block and rotating assembly.
Attachment 715666

Loaded into the trusty Honda, haha.
Attachment 715667

FWIW, my bearings looked the same in my G8 when my DOD cam took a crap, its the DOD cam does that and is pretty notorious for causing issues down the line. I put in a BTR PD 2 cam last year and bearing look unchanged when I put the new cam in. Coming up on 40k miles with the cam being swapped and a LSA added on top making just under 650whp with no danger in sight so far. :)

Friend did have an Escalade with some of the mixed in DOD hardware and supposedly was the reason for his drop in oil pressure and eventually destroyed bottom end.

After talking to the machine shop today I will be doing a full refresh. The list includes:

Block cleaned, honed, surfaced, clean up hone and finish clean.
Crank will be refinished as needed.
Durabond Teflon Coated Cam Bearings
King Main and Rod Bearings
Hastings rings which will be gapped for boost.

It will probably be 2-3 weeks before I get it back. In the mean time I am going to go ahead and install a few front end related components (Rack bushings, sway bar) and if my trans cooler parts ever show up I will get that hooked up.

If I was that far deep into the motor and had it pulled and at the machine shop I'd have thrown some forged rods/pistons in it at least lol.

Realistically it's not needed at my power goals and would add about $2,500 to the cost. Believe me, I considered it.

I appreciate the support. :lol:

What machine shop do you use here in Iowa? I don't have a relationship with or trust anyone local to me.

Working with Mid-State Machine in Ankeny.

Eat a d

Let's keep it halfway civil.

I've heard good things about them when I asked around recently. Have you used them prior to this?

A few things over the past days. Nothing major as I am waiting for parts and the engine to come back from the machine shop.

I received the following:
ATI Balancer
Crank Pinning Kit
Oil Pan Gasket
Rear Cover Gasket
Rear Main Seal
BMR Steering Rack Bushings
LS3 Waterpump

Got a couple odds and ends completed as well.

I sat down with my heads back from the machine shop to get them assembled. They ended up cleaning up really well and I had the outside surfaces glass beaded as well as had the heads surfaced.
Attachment 715636

Got them all put back together with BTR Dual Springs, lapped in valves, new seals, etc.
Attachment 715637

I mentioned the other day that the trim and pieces for the HSV gauge pod and cubby came in. I finally got them all cleaned up and am vinyl wrapping them black as the silver does not match the 2009 interior. I ordered the Black 2008 Seat/Traction Controls and Radio/HVAC faceplate. I got a few pieces done, but I am not sure how well it will match with the 2008 pieces until I get them on Tuesday. If they don't match up well I am planning to paint them.

Trim pieces:
Attachment 715638

Cubby wrapped. I like the look of the silver button, but I may end up doing it in black too.
Attachment 715639

Next I wrapped up the shifter trim. A word of warning...if you are a perfectionist, this job is a bitch.
Attachment 715640

Attachment 715641

This is posted in the Forced Induction section, wheres the BOOST at ???

Lol how many times is that going to be asked here. He is planning on boosting it it's just not boosted yet.