GM offered two types of lifers in the LSX series motors, the first one was installed in the LS1 motors starting in 97 and ended in 2000. These lifters were a split/non-encapsulated type of lifter that most builders believed were not very durable for hig HP motors. The second type of lifter was a fully encapsulated type; meaning the roller was mostly surrounded by the lifter itself. These are considered the most durable and have been used in motors with high lift and HP figures well above 1200 HP.
So today I'm tearing apart my 2004 LS6 motor and guess what? It has the older type of lifter installed!!! WTF?? Anyone else have this issue?
This is my third LSX motor and the first one I've seen with this.
So now I'm thinking I have to purchase a set of new lifters...................

 

I had the non encapsulated type in my 2002 motor. A few lifter rollers started breaking apart at 88K miles. I replaced them with the inexpensive melling lifters.

 

i've got non-capsulated in my 01

 

fully encapsulated type---got a part number on those?

 

Anyone know the weight difference between the two?

 

This is what came out of my 2000. Is this encapsulated?

 

Yes, it is.

 

wondering why they did that ? there seems to be no rhyme or reason unless it has to do with the location of where the motor was built

 

Same here just finished taking my 2002 LS1 apart and it had the split/non-encapsulated type of lifter. The builder that I am working with told me that he sees this all the time. It is hit or miss as to which one you get.

 

I just tore apart my 99 ls1 and it had the encapsulated type lifter.

 

just took mine out of my 01 SS this morning and it has the non-encapsulated

 

Sounds like the non-encapsulated ones would be lighter. May be the newest design, although when I ordered, lifter - 17122490, from a local dealer, I got the encapsulated one for about $35.

 

The melling lifters are an encapsulated design, and they run about 14 each at the local auto parts store, or 165 for the set of 16 through futral. From what I understand futral uses these even on their big hyd roller stroker motors, so I would think it would be a quality part. They look pretty good to me.

 

Youre right, the encapsulated lifter are pricey from GM. From a dealer expect to pay $35 plus as Dipstick stated. While the non-encapsulated type is indeed lighter is not what you want in a high HP LS motor. They are just not built to withstand the demands of high loads for a long period of time. If you cruise around town and have the occasional greeen light run, youre fine on a low mileage ride.
I would definetly go with the Mellings or other encapsulated types in any other ssituation.

 

That's what I went with.

 

So does anyone have a side by side pic showing the difference between the two?

 

i had encapsulated lifters in my 98

 

Non-encapsulated on my 2001. Also one of them failed, or a spring was bad, not sure which yet.

 

this is the one i pulled out today

 

Wow....and I thought my lifter failed.....yours looks about 5X worse than mine. Any other issues with your motor?

Scarbrow's pics show what the non-encapsulated version looks like.