Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

New here and need help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 2, 2019 | 02:51 PM
  #1  
njfreediver's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default New here and need help!

Hey all, new here and new with modifying LS style engines as well, but could really use some help. I have a 2012 Silverado with a 5.3 in it that ate a lifter and destroyed the cam. Long story short, yanked the motor and am in the process of doing a DOD/AFM delete. I had the block and heads cleaned and cam bearings replaced and the block had to be bored .020 over. I ordered a delete/overhaul kit from ams racing, but I have one concern with it. The kit says for motors up to 2011, but the guy there assured me it will work in mine, only difference is the kit has flat top pistons with no valve reliefs and the originals had valve reliefs. I am going to be using their stock non dod cam and keeping VVT, but will I have any problems running pistons with no valve reliefs? Any help is greatly appreciated
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2019 | 05:44 PM
  #2  
00pooterSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 531
From: Dallas
Default

I'm not sure what the answer is but I would definitely do a mild performance cam if you're already paying for one, something like a stage 1 drop in truck cam at least so that you keep low end but gain pretty much everywhere.

Texas speed does a lot of vvt cams and may be able to answer your question over the phone and spec/recommend a great cam for it.

From what I understand though, the valve reliefs are for the vvt though, so I would say it is important to have them. But I certainly don't know everything so don't go solely off what I say.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2019 | 08:58 AM
  #3  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by njfreediver
Hey all, new here and new with modifying LS style engines as well, but could really use some help. I have a 2012 Silverado with a 5.3 in it that ate a lifter and destroyed the cam. Long story short, yanked the motor and am in the process of doing a DOD/AFM delete. I had the block and heads cleaned and cam bearings replaced and the block had to be bored .020 over. I ordered a delete/overhaul kit from ams racing, but I have one concern with it. The kit says for motors up to 2011, but the guy there assured me it will work in mine, only difference is the kit has flat top pistons with no valve reliefs and the originals had valve reliefs. I am going to be using their stock non dod cam and keeping VVT, but will I have any problems running pistons with no valve reliefs? Any help is greatly appreciated
The valve reliefs are specifically for the VVT when the phaser retards the cam timing. Without limiters, you might run into PTV clearance problems.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2019 | 10:36 AM
  #4  
njfreediver's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

thanks for the replies guys. what do you mean by limiters?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2019 | 12:54 PM
  #5  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by njfreediver
thanks for the replies guys. what do you mean by limiters?
They’re just little blocks that go in the phaser to limit how much the cam is advanced/retarded. Most aftermarket cams with larger durations than stock require them to be installed.
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2019 | 08:09 PM
  #6  
00pooterSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 531
From: Dallas
Default

Originally Posted by njfreediver
thanks for the replies guys. what do you mean by limiters?
If you retain VVT and go with an aftermarket cam you will have to install a limiter into the phaser.

My speakers at home are broken so I couldn't hear what they said in this video but it should be what you need to know.

Reply
Old Jan 3, 2019 | 09:20 PM
  #7  
Che70velle's Avatar
ModSquad
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,828
Likes: 5,176
From: Dawsonville Ga.
Default

Originally Posted by 00pooterSS
If you retain VVT and go with an aftermarket cam you will have to install a limiter into the phaser.

My speakers at home are broken so I couldn't hear what they said in this video but it should be what you need to know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B3n97HyN8k
Not every aftermarket VVT cam will require the limiters. My LS2 with LS3 top end has a Mast VVT camshaft that did not require the limiters, and a Mast was the industry leader in VVT technology. I do have Mahle pistons with reliefs in the engine, but Mast insisted that the limiters were not necessary regardless. I spin the engine to 6800. I would ask my sales person when purchasing the VVT camshaft, if your going that route, concerning the limiters.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2019 | 12:18 AM
  #8  
Lsx Rubi's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 182
Likes: 11
From: North Vanacouver , BC
Default

Increased cam duration and flat top pistons without valve reliefs would definitely result in PTV clearance issues. My question is it even worth the effort in this case where by putting limiters you limit the advantage provided by the VVT and from what I remember the aftermarket VVT cams cost more than normal cams . I would just delete the VVT and pick a nice torquey truck cam and be done with it . Since you are putting in new pistons you could also bore the 5.3 out to 5.7 and get some low end grunt and more compression at the same time .
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 Jan 4, 2019 | 04:12 PM
  #9  
00pooterSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 531
From: Dallas
Default

Originally Posted by Che70velle


Not every aftermarket VVT cam will require the limiters. My LS2 with LS3 top end has a Mast VVT camshaft that did not require the limiters, and a Mast was the industry leader in VVT technology. I do have Mahle pistons with reliefs in the engine, but Mast insisted that the limiters were not necessary regardless. I spin the engine to 6800. I would ask my sales person when purchasing the VVT camshaft, if your going that route, concerning the limiters.

Good to know they don't all need them. Every cam I've looked at and read on so far did, so I assumed they just went together.

I personally would rather have a cam with a broader range, so that's cool that it can be had. (a cam that doesn't require a limiter)
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2019 | 06:02 PM
  #10  
tech@WS6store's Avatar
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,670
Likes: 250
Default

An oil issue can cause the phaser to act poorly so the limiter is also there to keep the phaser in check as a safeguard. Some 07-08 phasers are different also.

You will need the pistons with the valve reliefs.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 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