Michael Matthews

iTrader: (3)

i just got a 98 ss camaro, going to be doing a cam install in a month or 2. the guy i got it from said it was rebuilt like 30,000 miles ago. it has very good oil pressure. car has 149,000 miles on it. im pretty sure the lifters would have been replaced but the guy didnt know. and im just trying to get away with throwin the stick in and rockin it out down the road along with a ported ls6 oil pump and a ls2 timing chain. i didnt want to take the heads off just to change the lifters, i would do it if i was already changing heads but im not rite now at this moment its a slim budget build. but im just wondering if i should or need to change lifters with a new cam goin in even tho its been rebuilt and new lifters most likely dropped in. thanks sorry my story is 3 paragraphs long. and the motor will be in the car, so the heads would be a bitch and a half to get out ne ways. thanks

lvbroham1

At that mileage I would definitely recommend lifters as well as pushrods. Why do it half-*** only to have it break down in a few thousand miles? Congrats on the purchase! Any paperwork on the rebuild?...

The Guy in MY 99TA

I personally would. IF the lifters were not swapped out you don't want to put the strain of the higher pressure springs on stock 150,000 mile lifters. it could very well not hurt a thing... but I'm one of those that is going to make sure I don't have to worry about comming back later to change something b/c I didnt replace it to begin with.

miami993c297

iTrader: (6)

Make your engine a favor and offer you some Morel Lifters for cheap here:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...er-lifter.html

Christian

SMALLBLOCKHERO

iTrader: (2)

morels are an amazing lifter, but a little overkill. just run an LS7 lifter,there nicely priced at scoggins dickey.

miami993c297

iTrader: (6)

Might be or might not be overkill...in any case the Morel's are way better quality than the LS7...able to run moe RPM saving your drive-train, have a lot longer life vs. the LS7 for the same usage...and are rebuildable!!!

For the price they are advertised below it's a win/win situation...

https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-classifieds/1278079-fs-morel-billet-hydraulic-roller-lifter.html

Christian

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

Nice plug. The LS7 lifters are only about $140 and will do the job just fine.

Gun5

iTrader: (37)

Ls7 here alittle over $100 when i did my H/C/I

purrs like a kitten or a beast whatever u want to call it

Scarface20_03

iTrader: (1)

+1 for LS7's

flintwrench69

iTrader: (11)

With having 149,000 on the motor & not knowing if they were replaced when rebuilt thats really rolling the dice but you might be alright just putting a cam in it. When I did my cam I didnt replace the lifters, but since I am gonna be replacing the heads soon its getting new lifters & trays too. Oh & make sure you upgrade to some good hardened pushrods with the new cam.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Yeah, any hardened pushrod that is the correct length will be leaps and bounds better than a stock flexible rod.

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

+1. I paid $110 for my LS7 lifters, and purchases >$100 have free shipping.

If the OP is on a 'slim budget build' then the Morel's should be out of the question even at $350 used. However, I haven't seen any mention of checking/replacing the valvesprings depending upon the type of cam being purchased. If the base circle on the cam changes, it'll affect your preload and you should at least check for correct pushrod length. If you're not pulling the heads, then insure you get the metal dowel rods to keep the lifters up while swapping the cam.

If you can afford the parts, labor, and downtime, then do something like:

cam
PAC 1518 beehives ($188, SDPC)
LS2 chain ($32, GMPP dealer)
LS7 lifters ($110, GMPP dealer)
LS2 lifter guides (5-pack, $17.50, GMPP dealer)
LS1 head gaskets ($38 x2, GMPP dealer)
LS1 head bolts ($20 per head x2, GMPP dealer)
pushrod length checker
Pushrods (11/32 or 3/8 x .080+ wall, ~$10 x 16)

Michael Matthews

iTrader: (3)

thanks for all the input guys, i will be doin prolly a custom grind comp cam close to tsp's 233/239 cam. and will be doing valvesprings and pushrods along with that. and it is on a budget i think i just mite put the cam in and when i have more money for the 243s i will do them along with the ls7 or caddy lifters. i just cant see taking the heads off enless i got some better ones to put on. i have no paper work that the engine was rebuilt but it has badass oil pressure and has no lifter noise even when cold, like most high mileage low oil press. ls1s do. i can just hope that they are new.

Michael Matthews

iTrader: (3)

also and what tool do i need to make sure the lifters do not fall? i heard dowell rods? where and what do they look like? i have not a clue?

flintwrench69

iTrader: (11)

You can buy dowel rod at any hardware store, it can be any material (aluminum, steel, wood) but wood is cheapest. You want 1 rod, 5/16 X 48 inches long then cut it in half. Slide these in the 2 oil galley holes behind the cam retainer plate & it holds up the lifters. Then pull the cam but first spin the cam a few times, that will push the lifters up in the trays.

66 BADBOY

iTrader: (2)

I'm new at all of this, but I as I was learning about what to do as you swap a cam, I found out about the LS2 timing chain upgrade. But I guess I was mistakenly assuming that you also would change out the sprockets too, but really its recommended to just change the chain itself? That's good news for the pocket book!!


EDIT: By the way, what is the benefit of the LS7 lifters vs stock LS1 lifters?

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Barring a physical problem or if you're using the GenIV reluctor wheel, I'm not aware of a reason to replace the sprockets (unless you want aftermarket features). LS7 lifters are the factory replacements for the original LS1 lifters.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

some people use brake line over wooden dowels. I guess its fear of getting splinters in the bottom end.

TransAm-Z

iTrader: (39)

Is anyone running the LS7 lifters with the heavy duty #8019 AFR springs? I am looking at only buying this stuff once and need to find a lifter that can handle the load. Also what about the comp cams "R" lifter?

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

Have you considered Morels? The Comp-Rs require adjustable rockers due to a narrow pre-load window.