LSX Lifter Trays
LSX Lifter Trays So I went to put my Morels into my LSX block last night. Heads were already on, because you can put the lifters in through the windows right? Wrong! They don't fit. I tried for a good while, not happening. WTF? So the heads have to come off and I've effectively lost the ability to change lifters without taking the heads off. The only way I can is to use a non link bar lifter with the LSX trays that came with the block but I've not heard of anyone using them so I'm leery to. Anyone run them on a ~1000 RWHP build?
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, Virginia
I thought all LS motors had to have the heads removed to swap lifters. I haven't used an LSX block so I can't say for sure, but I don't see why it would really be any different. I'm using trays and morel drop ins at 550whp. While it's not 1000whp, I have no issues revving to 7200rpm....minus my intake manifold.
The LSX block has windows in it to be able to get to the lifters without removing the heads. A non-link bar lifter will fit in there but (apparently) not a link bar. It uses a different type of lifter retainer than the stock blocks and I can't say I've heard of anyone using the LSX lifter retainers so I don't want to be the first to try it.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, Virginia
Good to know. It's ashame you can't get a link bar in there. Call Kip @ Cam Motion or Martin @ Tick performance. They can probably get you steered in the right direction....or you can pull the heads. I know that feeling though. I had to do some work on my heads in the car after the fact. I probably made it harder on myself, but I was determined not to pull them.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, Virginia
Clearly much different. I don't see what the issue would be either way however. As long as it's holding the lifter in place, then it shouldn't be an issue with the right lifter.
Don't forget about Brian Tooley as well. He knows quite a bit about those lifters.
Don't forget about Brian Tooley as well. He knows quite a bit about those lifters.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
I have a late LSX tall deck block and I have installed Crower link bar lifters through the windows. Takes a little effort to find the trick. I have also run LS hydraulic lifters in LSX blocks using the LSX retainers. They work fine, no problem. If you take the block down you can grind the windows to make it easier. Not something I would do with an assembled block.
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Engines
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Engines
I have a late LSX tall deck block and I have installed Crower link bar lifters through the windows. Takes a little effort to find the trick. I have also run LS hydraulic lifters in LSX blocks using the LSX retainers. They work fine, no problem. If you take the block down you can grind the windows to make it easier. Not something I would do with an assembled block.
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Engines
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Engines
I would imagine the tall deck has a larger lifter window, vertically?
The LSX trays are pretty common actually, especially in the older blocks. IIRC the older LSX block designs wouldn't allow the use of a link bar setup right out of the box because the tie bar would bottom out on the threaded boss where the tray is bolted. Not sure if that's been changed in the newer blocks or not. The last one I built used the plastic trays and it's a twin turbo car.
The LSX trays are pretty common actually, especially in the older blocks. IIRC the older LSX block designs wouldn't allow the use of a link bar setup right out of the box because the tie bar would bottom out on the threaded boss where the tray is bolted. Not sure if that's been changed in the newer blocks or not. The last one I built used the plastic trays and it's a twin turbo car.
Well I yanked the heads to install my Morels. I had thought it was possible to do through the windows because it is in an ERL but the ERL has windows side to side so you have more room to jockey the lifters around. Good to know that others have run the LSX retainers though for future reference.