jimbo98z

iTrader: (3)

Car is a 98 with about 138k on it, everything works properly, compression is 170 +- 4 psi on each cylinder, no excessive valve noise, etc etc. Basically, everything is in good shape.

I will be doing a cam swap here shortly and I'm wondering if it's going to be a good idea to go ahead and pull the heads and replace the lifters while I'm in there. I can't afford heads right now (long story...) but I don't know if I should go ahead and pull them and replace the lifters and just generally clean things up?

Sorry for asking a dumb question, and I did search, but kept coming up with 250+ threads and no really good answers...

EDIT: Forgot some info: Haven't actually gotten a cam spec'd out yet, but I'm thinking I'll be in the low 230's range and around .580-,590 lift.

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

Well, since you said you can't afford heads - do you plan to save up and do heads later? If so then you're fine to wait until then. If you don't plan on heads anytime in the next couple years then sure, go ahead and throw some LS7 lifters in there. Only thing you'll be out on top of the cam swap is your time doing the heads, head bolts, and head gaskets.

butters02z

yes i think it will save you allot of problems in the long run i did a cam swap on my car and did not replace the lifters and on first start up there it was lifter tick on driver side never went away had to go back and do lifters now everything is fine so short answer yes

02*C5

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if its a miles thing. With any cam you put in unless its a stock cam or a cam running stock specs I would personally make sure that I change lifters. Always remember any stock piece of equipment is generally made to run in stock applications. The only piece of equipment that the LS engines made that was pretty dam good was their rockers and even then if not with the right lifter or after about 6500 rpms if your cam is a 7K plus cam (shifting points) the needle bearings tend to find themselves out of the stock trunion and into your engine.

Hilton

iTrader: (36)

If you replace them are you looking for new or just "newer"? I've got 3 sets that came out of various engines. 2001 with 30K, 2005 with 50K, and 1998 with 100K. They're just sitting in the garage in zip lock baggies in a box.

jimbo98z

iTrader: (3)

I was mainly asking from a standpoint of if the higher lift and ramp rates of a bigger cam is going to do something the stock lifters wouldn't like. I do plan on doing heads in the relatively near future, probably next spring.

I also wouldn't replace the stock lifters with new stockers, I'd probably go with LS7 lifters.

Hilton

iTrader: (36)

That's what I've done (LS7s). I just thought you might want them. They worked fine when they were pulled, and the "price" is right.