Anyone using Rhoads lifters?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CT
Anyone using Rhoads lifters? I have been intrigued with Rhoads lifters for years but have never tried them. Apparently not too many LS1techies have either because my search here came up with no matches. I am going to be putting a new cam in my 05 goat in the near future and have been concerned about the smog police. If I go with the duration I want, I will probably not pass a tailpipe smog test. However, if I use Rhoads lifters, I suspect that I would have a much better chance of passing because these lifters reduce duration below 3500 rpms. Because of this they also give a smoother, more streetable idle and increase the low end torque that's lost with high-duration cams. And Rhoads also claims you can get more rpms before valve float with their lifters. They do tick like solid lifters at lower rpms, but I could probably live with that if I got the other benefits. Does anyone have any experience with these lifters in an LSX motor, especially in regards to emissions?
I've seen comments on here from time to time, but very few. I think set up would be the key, but then again, there just isn't much information out there on them in this community.
I had them in my car for about 3 weeks. The incessant ticking drove me nuts and I took them out. My wife hated the sound also and she can't tell the difference in a stock stall and the 4000 that is in the car now! It was that bad. I even tried different oil viscosities. I think my tolerance for weird sounds is very low. The car felt down on power as well. That may have been in my head though. I will say that the low RPM drivability was much better with the Rhoads installed. Do a google advanced search on LS1tech and you will find some old posts about the Rhoads lifters.
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TN
If the car is tuned correctly and the DFCO (dump fuel at cut off) is disabled you should be able to pass a smog test (DFCO doesn't need to be disabled but it's a waist of fuel).
Mine did without a tune in its current configuration, but just barely.
Man I really really need to get her tuned.
Mine did without a tune in its current configuration, but just barely.
Man I really really need to get her tuned.
I've been running Rhoads for about 3 mos. now. Yes the tick EXACTLY like solids. If you dislike noise, dont get them, I love them. On the plus side, my 228/230 sounds barely over stock. My tuner was impressed by the idle. I was running a 227/224-114 and it sounded stock. Hugger, you're right about down on power, they can produce false knock, mine had me running in the low octane timing table full time. My false knock got worse with the new cam especially since I'm using the same pusrods-.05 too short. Replacing them this week and we'll see if that makes it go away. Meanwhile, I'm running a set timing table and I always put 93 octane in. Way back in the day, I ran them in my old 73 camaro. Had great luck with them then too. Couldnt tell you if they ticked though. Headman paper thin headders with sonic turbos mounted at the collectors. 
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
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
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo I'm hoping the knock retard will go away with longer pushrods. Whats weird is that at wot I didnt have any knock retard with the old cam but I was always running in the low octane table. Now, I'm getting 3-4 deg of knock retard at wot with pushrods .05 too short. I'm using comp magnum adjustable rockers so any extra noise is caused from incorrect geometry, not lash. Its impossible to say if the car has better low end power for shure because I never ran regular lifters with these cams. One thing for shure though, both cams sound substantially smaller than they are. That has to improve mileage and drivability. Now that the car is forced to run in a set timing table, it runs great through the rpm range. I'll be able to get it on the dyno after putting it back together this week with the correct length pushrods.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Judd
Hmmm, so they do give knock retard. Did they actually give more power down low or did they simply help you idle {and presumably help with tuning if the cam were big enough}?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...rhoads+lifters 
8GTOKLR 's car with rhoads lifters 216/224 .551'' 115lsa Crane
http://media.putfile.com/MOV00008-92
http://media.putfile.com/MOV00010-99
8GTOKLR 's car with rhoads lifters 216/224 .551'' 115lsa Crane
http://media.putfile.com/MOV00008-92
http://media.putfile.com/MOV00010-99
Last edited by cws T/A; Oct 16, 2006 at 11:43 PM.
hmm interesting my dad had got me some adjustable yella terra's and these lifter for christmas for my 383 build and i just found out about the whole duration deal. sounds like i go with a bigger cam than i intended
Originally Posted by Bring the Noise
If the car is tuned correctly and the DFCO (dump fuel at cut off) is disabled you should be able to pass a smog test (DFCO doesn't need to be disabled but it's a waist of fuel).
Mine did without a tune in its current configuration, but just barely.
Man I really really need to get her tuned.
Mine did without a tune in its current configuration, but just barely.
Man I really really need to get her tuned.
I put the Rhoads in my FI 408 build. I too am a little concerned about the smog police down the road, and did not want any undue attention. My cam is really small for the 408 @ 224/232 600/600 114, but was looking for a rock solid idle. Should be firing her up within the week......but I have been saying that for several months....Lol.
