Lifters link bar vs standard tray
 

Im getting ready to purchase the valve train for my cam swap... and i need some good lifters... any pros and cons of running link bar opposed to standard lifters... im on the lines of johnson lifters ! Btw this is going into a 5th gen camaro deleting dod/afm... cam is a tsp 4.2

This cam? For a LS7?

Texas Speed LS7 Stage 4.2 Camshaft: 248/260, .657"/.655"

Cam Specs: 248/260, .657"/.655", 111 LSA, 108 IC

3000-7000 RPM Power Band; This is an excellent performance camshaft with an aggressive idle! Custom tuning will be required for this camshaft. It is a great choice for those looking for every last ounce of horsepower from their LS7 engine.

I'd want a set of Morels or Johnson's for that cam and skip the factory trays & LS7 lifters.

I've never been a fan of plastic parts inside an engine. Way back when the LS engines first came out, I thought that those lifter trays were a bad idea. Yeah, they work, but I've also seen them fail, too.
If you're doing everything from scratch, I say go with the link bars.

If you are in the range for the base circle and lift of a stock retainer why wouldn't you use it.

Less weight, no side loading

I must be living right then. I have only used the trays, OEM lifters and now the 2110r I have now. 300 passes and 7700rpm shift points. Has seen 8000 a couple times. What is the root cause of a spinning lifter? Cam lobe ground w/taper? Lifter bore not perpendicular with cam tunnel? Excessive cam end play/walk? Don't know, but would think broken trays are the result, not the reason. Think about it, Jesel sells tons of keyway lifter/bushings to Comp Elem folks who define rpm on their motors. A small tang riding up and down in a thin wall bushing is the preferred method. If it's such a bad idea, why does Morel still make em and in a solid roller version none the less.

Danny,

You have PM.

KW

Hey big hammer, what about using those cam swap lifter rods? Is it still a problem then?
I've never used them myself, but I've always told myself "next time..."

Also, you've got a PM.

I personally like the link bars. sometimes they are just not in the budget but definitely help in oiling situations and stability. esp vs the orig ls1 retainers. There are basically 2 different style of tie bars...well 3.
Cast body
Machined body
Roller size - .700 captured style vs .750 open style

There are other obvious upgrades but for the normal person those are the 3 to look at qnd compare.

The morel 5290 are a great, affordable "entry level" tie bar. At $345 they are cheaper than some other drop in style tray lifters...but again you have to compare apples to apples.

If you are just doing a street build and want some good lifters the 6504 morel are a great choice. up from there the johnson 2110. But if you want a better option the morel 5290 then johnson 2116 are better.

16 harbor f pen magnets works.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f4&oe=5C69B8DB

You sir are a genius...:nod:

Long time ago I had lifters turn on SBE LS1. I rev'd mine to 6,700-6,800. It.destroyed the cam, etc. Metal throughout the motor. I ended up going with longer lifters. Not sure if they all are now.

I've used wooden dowels twice on my link-bar Morels twice now. Little tricky but got the job done