CyberZ

Okay I've been reading about lifters for 2 days now so I thought id ask you folks lol. I have heard many things regarding stock lifters and aftermarket cams. I have heard go with a link bar setup to prevent the lifter from spinning in the plastic tray, I've heard that ls7 lifter rollers dont like increased spring pressures and aggressive cams. I have also heard that the reason the stock ls7 lifter works ok in stock motors is because of the light valve train and we see failures in dual spring, heavier valve setups.

So at this point my head is spinning and need some advice.

I will be using stock valves, heads reconditioned by American Heritage, PSI springs and K501 cam.

Please keep in mind I would prefer to not spend 700 on a set of lifters but I do like peace of mind and want to beat on the car. Thanks guys for the insight!

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-596-lu...r-lifters.aspx

MTIRC6Z

Just go with the stock lifters. If you're gunna really be abusing the engine talk to Jason at Katech and then stop reading the interwebs.

Cheers, Paul.

C6z06man

Use stock lifters. I'm doing the same cam and springs(see build thread). If you're going to do any lifter just do the GM high speed lifters. But stock is fine. High speeds add a few hindered rpm of safety margin.

CyberZ

I had my mind set on new replacement Ls7 lifters.

I think the reason people on the ls1 forum are seeing lifter failures is due to heavier valve train then our ls7's. I just want to be sure there isn't a better option, but I have not heard of ls7 lifter failure in a actual ls7 so who knows. I don't wanna spent 6k for a heads and cam swap and waste a lifter if I would be pushing it past it's limits.

C6z06man

I'm reusing my 12k lifters. If you want to replace them regardless you might as well get the high speed lifters from Katech.

ttx350z

My stock lifters have 43k on them.

I'm doing my heads and cam next week. Since im going to stronger valve springs, I opted to go with Johnson 2110 SLR lifters. These are highly recommended by Brian Tooley and they are also used in the COPO Camaros. They have forged bodies unlike other sub $400 lifters.

AzMotorhead

My stock LS7 lifter failed and 11k. Stock motor,stock cam,stock lifters ,and running Mobil1. with 2 track days.
Lifter / cam failed on a 40 mile drive on the freeway with max RPMs @ 3k.
Take it for what its worth

AzMotorhead

It's not the body that fails it the roller or bearings that ride on the cam

Undy

A lot of so called lifter failures are actually the fault of GM's infamous 'soft cam lobes'. It happened to me on my OEM cam.

djfury05

The LS7 lifters in my car were replaced with Johnson 2126 SLR's. They were way too noisy with the aftermarket cam. You could hear the valvetrain noise inside the cabin driving down the road like you were standing over the engine bay hood open. I'm not sure if the previous owners who had it built didn't opt for checking pushrod length with new cam or what but they were entirely too loud. Much much quieter now.

amdoverclocker

I have the same setup with GM high speed lifters and they work great. Just opened the engine up after 3-4k on them and they look new. No worries about them at all.

Vito.A

I think Katech prefers the Cadillac lifters. You can find them on their web site.


Regardless of which roller lifter you decide on, soak them in a can of oil at least overnight before you install them.

Michael_D

Some cam lobe profiles require a larger, open wheel design. Spring load over 400# or so would also require a different lifter. Don't asume it's a good idea to soak all brand lifters either. Morel comes pre lubed and they do not want them soaked.

Undy

Most aftermarket and OEM hydraulic lifter manufacturers DO NOT recommend a pre-soak. The thinking on this has swung around in the last 10 years or so.

ConfusedGarage

I have had a katech torquer cam in my car since almost new, it now has 29,000 on it. I had wcch rebuild my heads at 15k and stayed with my original lifters. After 100ish track passes, track days and dozens of street pulls all is good with the original lifters, 29,000 miles with 546 rwhp.

Keep your valve train light and use good oil - I like redline personally. If you do your heads, don't let one single shaving fall into the engine!

Kip Fabre

Stock or LS7 lifters are fine. Most of the lifter problem are caused by lobes that are to aggressive. They beat the hell out of the lifters. Hydraulic lifters are not designed to take those violent lobes. Sometimes they will work but if they are run on a smooth lobe the failure rate will go down. If you get an after market cam make sure its designed for your rocker ratio.Thats some of the problem. You will see an (XRGS 230/360) for a LS1 with a 1.7 that will net .612 then you will see the same lobe for LS7 with a 1.8 rocker now your have .648 plus its much more violent on the 1.8 rocker.