Replacing lifters with cam install? PITA?
Replacing lifters with cam install? PITA? How hard is it to replace the lifters when do a cam install into an LS motor? I'm putting a cam in my 02 Silverado with the 5.3L but was told by a Comp Cams rep that it's a good idea to replace the lifters. Do I have to pull the heads to do this?
It really depends on how aggressive the new cam is and how many miles are on your current lifters. Although, to answer your question, it does require you to pull the heads and it is never a bad idea to replace lifters when going with a new cam.
If you are going to replace lifters, find a set of heads (at least some ls6 castings) to do now.
Otherwise I would consider keeping them stock. You have to pull heads which means: new head gaskets, new head bolts, new lifters, surface the heads (not required but recommended), and a good bit of extra labor.
Otherwise I would consider keeping them stock. You have to pull heads which means: new head gaskets, new head bolts, new lifters, surface the heads (not required but recommended), and a good bit of extra labor.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2011
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If you are going to replace lifters, find a set of heads (at least some ls6 castings) to do now.
Otherwise I would consider keeping them stock. You have to pull heads which means: new head gaskets, new head bolts, new lifters, surface the heads (not required but recommended), and a good bit of extra labor.
Otherwise I would consider keeping them stock. You have to pull heads which means: new head gaskets, new head bolts, new lifters, surface the heads (not required but recommended), and a good bit of extra labor.
IMO, save the heart ache and replace the lifters. One less thing to have rattling around in the back of your mind. Of course, if funds are tight, you gotta do what you gotta do. Also like thunderstruck said, I'd be trying to scrummage up some sort of heads if funds allow.
My .02 anyway
Depends on milage but your talking to a rep that sells lifters soooo I take that with a grain of salt, unless its something that needs a great deal of spring pressure and control in upper RPMS which in most case that motor wont see.
Use metal dowel rods to hold the lifters, inspect cam lobes, any apparent damage/wear will tell you if you need to pull the heads. IF there is, then def pull them and like said, even if its a UN touched LS6 head, throw it on there, free labor. Also if you do a head, you need new head bolts.
Use metal dowel rods to hold the lifters, inspect cam lobes, any apparent damage/wear will tell you if you need to pull the heads. IF there is, then def pull them and like said, even if its a UN touched LS6 head, throw it on there, free labor. Also if you do a head, you need new head bolts.
Like these others guys have said, you have to pull the heads to get to the lifters so its a great time to try and upgrade the heads if its in the budget. Depending on mileage on the stock lifters sometimes its not a bad idea to go ahead and replace them when you do the cam. It would be a pain to have to back in and do the same work because a lifter failed.
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The cam is a Comp XR275HR which is a 222/224 .561/.568 on a 112LSA... and the truck has 120,000 miles but runs great and has had Mobil 1 synthetic its whole life. As far as heads, it's in my budget but I'm not familiar with the 5.3's as far as what type of head to run. Would a set of worked 5.3L heads be a good choice? Just want my combo to be dead on and work right together. Thanks for the input btw
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Verdad Gallardo That kind of power is attainable but its going to be pretty close to the most power I have seen from a 5.3l. 5.3l heads would be a good choice but that will keep your compression ratio up. We have done a lot of porting on the 5.3l heads and it has worked pretty well for us.
