5.3 DOD delete using stock cam??
09-23-2019, 07:22 AM
#1
5.3 DOD delete using stock cam?? Had a 5.3 go down (bad lifter and dropped valve into cylinder) Got a replacement engine on the way. Im going to suggest deleting the DOD lifters but I know they wont go for a cam swap. This is purely for reliability.
My question is why does the "Internet" say you can't use the stock DOD cam without DOD lifters? Ive done 2 DOD deletes and Measured the cam lobe lift with a micrometer and they were exactly the same for each cylinder. How or why would the cam even be cut different for the DOD cylinders anyways since they act normal when DOD is not activated?
My question is why does the "Internet" say you can't use the stock DOD cam without DOD lifters? Ive done 2 DOD deletes and Measured the cam lobe lift with a micrometer and they were exactly the same for each cylinder. How or why would the cam even be cut different for the DOD cylinders anyways since they act normal when DOD is not activated?
09-23-2019, 10:55 AM
#2
TECH Senior Member
If you want pure reliability, find an LM7 cam and stick it in there along with new lifters & trays. Also plug off the oil "towers".
Is the replacement engine DOD? If so leave it as is and run it.
DOD can be a pain, but overall they are fairly dependable.
Is the replacement engine DOD? If so leave it as is and run it.
DOD can be a pain, but overall they are fairly dependable.
09-23-2019, 11:21 AM
#3
yes its an 07 DOD engine with 102k miles The current one had 202K on it.
Cylinder 1 or 3 rocker had came apart, valve spring was broke, and of course the valve hit the piston. Im guessing it was a lifter failure but ill find out, not sure how the valve spring broke........
Cylinder 1 or 3 rocker had came apart, valve spring was broke, and of course the valve hit the piston. Im guessing it was a lifter failure but ill find out, not sure how the valve spring broke........
09-23-2019, 11:42 AM
#4
TECH Senior Member
Lifter failure would not have broken the spring. I bet the spring failed on its own.
09-23-2019, 05:15 PM
#7
TECH Senior Member
It's maybe possible when the spring broke some coils locked between each other to cause coil bind, thereby busting the rocker.
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09-24-2019, 02:25 AM
#8
Ive done a few dod deletes but i always installed an aftermarket cam since i was there already. I never tried reusing the oe dod cam. Some say u can and some say u cant.
To do the delete just replace the dod lifters with ls7 lifters, and use a ls2 valley cover. The ls2 cover will plug off the lifter towers as well.
Now if your doing vvt delete as well, u will need a ls2 front timing cover.
Im interested to know about reusing a dod cam tho. Would make the swap a lil easier. I say it would work, but im not certain.
The guys i would call and ask are BTR and Texas Speed!
To do the delete just replace the dod lifters with ls7 lifters, and use a ls2 valley cover. The ls2 cover will plug off the lifter towers as well.
Now if your doing vvt delete as well, u will need a ls2 front timing cover.
Im interested to know about reusing a dod cam tho. Would make the swap a lil easier. I say it would work, but im not certain.
The guys i would call and ask are BTR and Texas Speed!
09-24-2019, 10:00 AM
#10
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Hello, the ramp rates on the DOD cams are different on those four cylinders. The result is cylinder pressure may be down as much as 15 psi due to longer seat timing. This does not sound like a lot, but the ECM detects it as a missfire and it will throw codes. Some people will deal with that for a while, but eventually they break down and buy a non-dod cam. Most people pick up the 1 bolt NAL-12689035cam from Chevrolet Performance for $110. A performance cam -it's not, but does the job without the need to retune air/fuel, timing, etc. You will need to disable DOD in the ECM with a Range Technologies disabler or have it switched of in HP Tuners because the ECM wonders why it not longer has control. Here's a pretty good article on the process.
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09-24-2019, 10:52 AM
#12
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To work with those DOD lifters (very heavy) and not break them (not durable and different oil metering), the factory went really soft with the ramp rates and longer seat timing. All the negatives of a big duration cam bleeding off cylinder pressure down low without the benefits of area under the curve. We think you'll be better off with a Non DOD cam if you don't want to tune and something like our Stage 1 cams if you are willing to. The SUM-8718 Tow cam will work without a tune, but you're be leaving a lot of power off the table.
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09-24-2019, 12:38 PM
#15
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Given your circumstances, this the route I'd probably go...
That being said I've done a few dod/vvt deletes and I have used TSP's stage 2 high lift 5.3 truck cam. I'm sure you already know this, but, it really made thos 5.3's come to life.
09-24-2019, 07:14 PM
#16
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If you’re going through the amount of work to delete DOD why not step up your cam a bit. The reasons given by Summit not to reuse your cam should be enough, really. There have been people on this forum installing tiny aftermarket performance cams in their 4.8-5.3 powered trucks gaining substantial amounts of power.
OP, you would probably need a Berko cam doctor (machine) to see the all the differences in the cams, a lobe height measurement probably won’t tell you anything about the ramp rate or duration. Just My $.02
OP, you would probably need a Berko cam doctor (machine) to see the all the differences in the cams, a lobe height measurement probably won’t tell you anything about the ramp rate or duration. Just My $.02
09-24-2019, 07:50 PM
#17
TECH Senior Member
If you’re going through the amount of work to delete DOD why not step up your cam a bit. The reasons given by Summit not to reuse your cam should be enough, really. There have been people on this forum installing tiny aftermarket performance cams in their 4.8-5.3 powered trucks gaining substantial amounts of power.
OP, you would probably need a Berko cam doctor (machine) to see the all the differences in the cams, a lobe height measurement probably won’t tell you anything about the ramp rate or duration. Just My $.02
OP, you would probably need a Berko cam doctor (machine) to see the all the differences in the cams, a lobe height measurement probably won’t tell you anything about the ramp rate or duration. Just My $.02