02SOMSS

iTrader: (10)

I'm getting ready to get the 5.3 ready for my C/10. Going to have the heads cut and stick a cam in it.
Motor has about 80k on it, is it necessary to change the lifters?
I never have replaced them in the past but I'm seeing lots of folks talking about swapping in LS7 lifters/trays.
This is an on the cheap project, if I don't have to spend the $ I don't want to. But, I don't want to be tearing it back apart either.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

You would be stupid to not replace them all now for $135 rather than $2135 later when that lifter shots, drops a valve, eats a piston and finally the rod through the block.

All gm lifters now are ls7. Plain ol ls2 trays are fine

02SOMSS

iTrader: (10)

Do I have to replace the trays?
Once this thing is together it won't be coming back apart unless something breaks...not going to be swapping cams in/out.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

You should, they are plastic, and only about $5 just do it.

02SOMSS

iTrader: (10)

Where are you finding the trays for $5?
Cheapest I've found is TSP @ $8/per, 4 required...

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

try SDparts.com or a google search. I got mine for $4.96 each

I8UR4RD

iTrader: (16)

cheap insurance do it

chrisfrost

iTrader: (8)

take the lifters apart and clean them well and re-stretch the springs a little and while putting Them back together put a cpl drops of new clean motor oil inside and test each 1 for plunger movement and for the bottom check ball/valve operation and You'll be good to go ,,,,,,,,,,,proper amount of oil which They take care of Themselves and valve operation is business end and of course the roller not having any significant knicks or grooves and the needles working smoothly . That's just My opinion though .

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

New lifters can fail just as easily as used ones. However, I would replace them because they are high mileage and you have the heads off anyways.

But I don't feel it's a MUST. But rather preferred.

02SOMSS

iTrader: (10)

I'll feel the rollers when I have it apart. The motor looks well maintained but in the grand scheme, $200 is cheap insurance if the rollers are at all sticky.

2000PewterT/A

I would replace them, at this point for the price I don't see a good reason not too.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

Now granted I am coming at this from the LT1 side of things but I see more guys have the mythical upgrade LS7 lifters fail than reused originals. $135 is cheap if the originals were atall suspect or had any record of failure or if the replacement was bulletproof, and just how many of those criteria are met?

andy9743

while its that far down replace them...i plan to trays and lifters

dreww

iTrader: (1)

I rebuilt my bottom end of my ls1 and didn't replace lifters and trays....but all new gaskets all around.

I only didn't replace them, cause I didn't have the money. (My other car had just been rebuilt and ate up my budget)

I have about 150k on this stock top end.

J Glen

You said that you will be getting a new cam. How aggressive will you be going? Stock style lifters are not made to handle a aggressive cam.

02SOMSS

iTrader: (10)

I found a set of barely used LS7 lifters for cheap so picked them up.
Cam is an old Comp 228/230, .581/.583. Nothing too hairy.