Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

lifter help??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2014 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
SStressin's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 361
Likes: 2
From: Long Island
Default lifter help??

i need help trying to pick out a set of lifters. my budget for them is going to be around the 300 dollar range. ive been looking at the morel drop ins, johnson slow leakdown drop ins and the comp cam short travel drop ins. anyone have any reviews with these? or have a better lifter to offer? i really do not want to spend 600 plus on lifters right now. little on the rest of my valvetrain setup is. last peice of the puzzle for my build is these stupid lifters! wish brian tooley still made his!

eps lobed cam 650 lift on both intake and exhaust
brian tooley 3/8 pushrods,
prc .675 eht springs,
gen 3 yella terra ultra lights
trickflow cnc 225 heads.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2014 | 08:52 PM
  #2  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

Those PRC springs have too much spring pressure for the YT rockers... I think 420lbs is the most they are designed to take.

As far as lifters, I prefer the link bar. But the Comp short-travel would be better if you can get for $300. The benefits of the short travel at high RPM is worth the time to setup the pushrods with custom lengths.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 07:16 AM
  #3  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

I am running Morels (don't know part number but they were more than $300). If I were to do it again, I would buy the best Morel with the link bars.

One nice thing about Morel, they can be rebuilt. Most think they will never do this but my original cam had an issue and damaged the rollers on my lifters. I had them rebuilt with new rollers which was significantly less than new.

Just some things to think about.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 07:29 AM
  #4  
poltergeist 02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 3
Default

I agree with Vettenuts, get the Morel 5206 link bar lifters. Also take a look at the BTR TI spring kit, I believe it has less open spring pressure than the PRC kit. You have a lot of money in those heads and valvetrain, why cheep out on the lifters?
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 08:56 AM
  #5  
svede1212's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Default

I can sadly say that saving money on lifters is very, very expensive. I'm in the process of a multi-thousand dollar rebuild of my LS1 due to Lunati (Morel) cheap (~$350) link bar lifters. Roller pin came out on a start-up and snapped the end off on the up stroke cascading a lot of damage. You have a very high lift cam and getting the valve train stable at high RPM is going to be challenging. I had a less aggressive cam than yours and rev limited at 6,500.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 02:58 PM
  #6  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Morels were also designed for higher lift so they would oil properly.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 03:42 PM
  #7  
svede1212's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
Morels were also designed for higher lift so they would oil properly.
Which Morels? The Lunati and Morel are identical BTW level for level. One of the biggest differences between the higher priced and the cheaper ones are the higher ones are machined steel bodies and the lower end ones are cast bodies. I can attest that the cast ones are brittle. When mine failed and I tapped out one the casing shattered like glass. On the bottom where one got cracked I bent the piece out with my fingers and it cracked off.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2014 | 04:13 PM
  #8  
whatsa347's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 634
Likes: 3
From: clear lake, Texas
Default

I think I'll either go with LS7's or BTR SLR lifters. I haven't read a bad thing about the SLR's yet so I hope I won't trash my motor. I was actually considering the lunati's but after reading svede's case I think I'll pass, plus Brian's customer service is unparalleled.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 27, 2014 | 08:12 AM
  #9  
poltergeist 02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by whatsa347
I think I'll either go with LS7's or BTR SLR lifters. I haven't read a bad thing about the SLR's yet so I hope I won't trash my motor. I was actually considering the lunati's but after reading svede's case I think I'll pass, plus Brian's customer service is unparalleled.
I would take any morel lifter over the LS7 lifters. One failure is going to steer you away?
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2014 | 09:50 PM
  #10  
whatsa347's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 634
Likes: 3
From: clear lake, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by poltergeist 02
I would take any morel lifter over the LS7 lifters. One failure is going to steer you away?
No, one failure of a lifter that's supposed to be superior in every single way to then be told "oh well sucks to be you" by Lunati customer service. I haven't personally seen any ls7 lifters fail around here in Houston, but either way the BTR SLR's are gonna be go to lifter when the time comes.
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 01:34 AM
  #11  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default

Originally Posted by whatsa347
No, one failure of a lifter that's supposed to be superior in every single way to then be told "oh well sucks to be you" by Lunati customer service. I haven't personally seen any ls7 lifters fail around here in Houston, but either way the BTR SLR's are gonna be go to lifter when the time comes.
The difference there was the street lifter vs the high rpm lifter.

Big difference
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 12:11 PM
  #12  
SStressin's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
10 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 361
Likes: 2
From: Long Island
Default

just ponied up and ordered the 5206! figured i went all out with everything better do it with the lifters as well
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2014 | 06:33 PM
  #13  
poltergeist 02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by SStressin
just ponied up and ordered the 5206! figured i went all out with everything better do it with the lifters as well
Makes sense, good decision. You will be happy with those.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:59 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE