Cam Swap Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29
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Cam Swap Question
I'm thinking about doing a cam swap in my '99. I have 65k on the car. My question is do I need to change out the lifters when I change the cam? How well do stock lifters hold up?
Thanks for the help in advance
Thanks for the help in advance
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
I'd say it depends on the cam, but overall, the stock lifters hold up pretty good.
As an example, most cam kits that come with everything including the kitchen sink still do not include lifters.
As an example, most cam kits that come with everything including the kitchen sink still do not include lifters.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
with 65k i would probably change them out. The cadillac race lifters are only $200, at that price its hard not to. how big of a lift are you goin with
Last edited by DPG; Mar 21, 2008 at 10:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
For just a cam swap, most people reuse their stock ones....simply because the heads will have to come off to replace them.
Some will disagree, but I would not pull the heads for the sole reason of replacing the lifters unless it was necessary because of damage, etc. If you pull your cam out and find noticeable scoring or wear on the lobes, then the lifter rollers probably look the same and should be replaced too, or you run the risk of damaging your new cam.
I went cam-only for a few months on the stock lifters with no problems. Then I did a head swap and replaced the lifters at that time. With 45k on the stock lifters, they still looked like new with no discernible wear.
And think of it like this... once your new cam is in and you get used to the new power, you'll be shopping for a set of heads soon enough. And when you do the head swap, then yeah, definitely replace the lifters, and the plastic guides too.
Some will disagree, but I would not pull the heads for the sole reason of replacing the lifters unless it was necessary because of damage, etc. If you pull your cam out and find noticeable scoring or wear on the lobes, then the lifter rollers probably look the same and should be replaced too, or you run the risk of damaging your new cam.
I went cam-only for a few months on the stock lifters with no problems. Then I did a head swap and replaced the lifters at that time. With 45k on the stock lifters, they still looked like new with no discernible wear.
And think of it like this... once your new cam is in and you get used to the new power, you'll be shopping for a set of heads soon enough. And when you do the head swap, then yeah, definitely replace the lifters, and the plastic guides too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
good point. i am running stock lifters as well, but thought about the new lifters when i was doing the cam as well. Was kinda doubting it, but with the added work, it may not have been worth it. thanks for easing my mind
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29
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Thanks
Thanks everyone. I think I got what I need. I'm planning on doing an air kit, throttle body, FAST intake, and CompCams XR265HR cam. I'm not going wild with the cam because I intend to keep this a street car with good road manners. I'll back that all up with a good tune and maybe a 3.73 rearend from DTE.
I was trying to avoid pulling the heads to do the cam swap, so if I had to replace the lifters then that was going to change my mods for this summer. I'm going to try and do a set of RHS heads over the winter so if I need to replace the lifters I can do it then.
I was trying to avoid pulling the heads to do the cam swap, so if I had to replace the lifters then that was going to change my mods for this summer. I'm going to try and do a set of RHS heads over the winter so if I need to replace the lifters I can do it then.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lower Lake Ca
I recently had a moderate cam installed. At the very first start up it broke a lifter (the retainer on the top of the lifter). I wasn't planning on doing lifters since the heads had to come off, but now.....a complete R&R of the new cam (no charge from the shop) to verify no damage to it and a set of Cad racing lifters and it's all good. I'm told that it's unusual for this to happen, but it happened to me.
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