Stock C5 Cam Failure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 77
From: Granby CT
Thats very possible. Do you know of any way to test the springs so that i can say for sure that was the problem? Id sleep better at night knowing what happened so i i'm sure its fixed and wont happen again. Obviously I'm replacing the springs already so it would be great to know that would solve the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 33
From: Easley/Anderson South Carolina
This is caused by lifter float, High revs with weak valve springs. I have had 2 engines with the same failure. 1st one a LS6 that had 14 of 16 lobs damaged (Stock engine with a LG can 20k miles on engine, and 2nd one a LS2 with TFS heads, vindicator cam 471hp 40k miles. 11 of 16 damaged.
On the LS6, Ran fine no drivability issues until randomly one day at idle I lost oil pressure. Raise rpms to 1500-1800 and it would return. I was about 35 miles from home and drove it back. Tear down found lobe damage. No lifter was turn 90 degrees, there was never any abnormal noise from the engine other than slightly louder ticking from the engine at idle when no oil pressure.
on the LS2, I only found the issue when I pulled he heads to send off to get ported. Zero drivability issues, zero issues with oil pressure.
Both engines only ever lived on Mobil1 oil or amsoil every 4500-5000 miles with a Wix filter.
i replace valve springs every 18 months or 10k miles on any of the LS engines i work on as preventive maintance and haven’t had the issue since.
On the LS6, Ran fine no drivability issues until randomly one day at idle I lost oil pressure. Raise rpms to 1500-1800 and it would return. I was about 35 miles from home and drove it back. Tear down found lobe damage. No lifter was turn 90 degrees, there was never any abnormal noise from the engine other than slightly louder ticking from the engine at idle when no oil pressure.
on the LS2, I only found the issue when I pulled he heads to send off to get ported. Zero drivability issues, zero issues with oil pressure.
Both engines only ever lived on Mobil1 oil or amsoil every 4500-5000 miles with a Wix filter.
i replace valve springs every 18 months or 10k miles on any of the LS engines i work on as preventive maintance and haven’t had the issue since.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Thats very possible. Do you know of any way to test the springs so that i can say for sure that was the problem? Id sleep better at night knowing what happened so i i'm sure its fixed and wont happen again. Obviously I'm replacing the springs already so it would be great to know that would solve the problem.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Thats very possible. Do you know of any way to test the springs so that i can say for sure that was the problem? Id sleep better at night knowing what happened so i i'm sure its fixed and wont happen again. Obviously I'm replacing the springs already so it would be great to know that would solve the problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 77
From: Granby CT
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 77
From: Granby CT
And yes the current state of the car is far from and much better than stock.
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