I know this question has been asked in other posts, but I'm running low on cash for my rebuild and need to know.

I'm getting the ls1 in a 99 TA rebuilt. I've got full bolt ons, 243 heads, and tick 227/235 cam kit with rods and dual.springs in the shop now.

The mechanic says they reuse the ls1 lifters all the time. These ls1 lifters have 103k miles. This is my daily driver and I'm not taking it to the track or care about super high rpms. I just want more street power for occasional spirited driving.

They only replace the lifters and put upgraded trunions or rockers when doing high horsepower boost applications or nitrous motors.

The question Is, how often do these trunions really break? The mechanic said the factory trunions are really sturdy. This is a complete rebuild and I really don't want to chance needle beArings flying everywhere though. Also, I'm pretty sure they will charge extra to replace the reunions.

Has anyone ever seen higher mileage ls1 lifters go bad with a new cam for street applications?

A new timing chain is included in the rebuild as well. Is it imperative that I upgrade to the Ls2 timing chain?

I'm really not trying to skimp here, I'm just stretched thin on funds. The rebuild, install, dyno tuning, heads and cam has put me around $4750 on a $4800 budget. I'm broke now, for the time being an I still may need to replace the clutch.

 

I would do the lifters now, since the motor is open and there are a lot of miles on them. The rockers, although it would be best to do them now, might wait until later since the heads don't have to come off to do this job.

 

Great thanks. I'm doing ls7 lifters now, then going back later for the trunions. Thanks

 

If your doing heads lifters are a no brainer since you already have it apart. The trunion upgrade isn't necessary but you will already have the rockers off so you might as well do it now. If you do it later you have to remove all the rockers to do it.

 

I'm getting the Delphi Ls7 lifters from Brian Tooley Racing for $100. These should work fine right?

 

We've had zero issues out of those lifters, they should be great.

Trunnion bearing failures are more of a symptom than a cause. The cause is a valve train that's out of control. So pay attention to valve train weight and having sufficient spring pressure.

 

Not necessary but a nice upgrade(especially trunion upgrade) for a minimal cost

 

Personally, if I ever spoke to a mechanic who did not suggest replacing lifters with 103k miles on them when replacing the camshaft (regardless it being stock replacement parts or high performance replacement parts), I would not trust that mechanic from that point forward. In your case, I would absolutely replace the lifters without a doubt. The trunion upgrade is not necessary but definitely a good upgrade if you can swing it.

 

For what it's worth, I did not do the trunion upgrade and I'm running my stock lifters on my setup. My car only had around 43,000 on it at the time of the heads/cam swap. I have had zero issues so far. I think a lot of the failure have to do with the valvetrain not being setup properly.

 

If the heads are off do the lifters...no reason not to.

I have had a rocker arm break the trunion back on my 230/224 cam. Might have been valve float related...I don't know for sure.

I replaced that one rocker and went on about my business. I just fished the rollers out with a magnet at the next oil change. That was around 2008 I think.

That said I currently have a set of Brian Tooley trunions on my workbench waiting to be installed. Good peace of mind.

 

I agree with what others have stated. Definitely replace the lifters since you are already going to have the heads off.


Thanks
Aaron@ThompsonMotorsports.net

 

Sent you a PM about some LS7 lifters.

Scott

 

Could be, there's a lot of guys not running it w/ no problems its more a inexpensive safety measure to reduce the possibility. Pretty much along the same lines as the LS2 lifter treys.

 

LS2 trays wouldn't be a bad idea either. Have had LS7 lifters for almost 5 years. No trouble

 

Thanks guys. I'm putting the ls7 lifters in. And if I come up with the time or funds later down the road, I will install the trunion upgrades.

 

Text me your address today and I'll get those in the mail Friday or Saturday. Sent you a PM.

Scott