Lifter swap - which ones to get?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
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From: Virginia
Lifter swap - which ones to get?
I’m going to have my stock lifters replaced on my 2011 LS3 because of some ticking that I believe to be related to the lifters. I’m also going to have my rocker trunnions upgraded with the CHE kit. Should I get the GM ls7 lifters or Morels? I’ve read the Morels are a better lifter but would require a different length pushrod to get the correct preload.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Lifters
I’m going to have my stock lifters replaced on my 2011 LS3 because of some ticking that I believe to be related to the lifters. I’m also going to have my rocker trunnions upgraded with the CHE kit. Should I get the GM ls7 lifters or Morels? I’ve read the Morels are a better lifter but would require a different length pushrod to get the correct preload.
Last edited by 2008 Corvette; Jan 28, 2021 at 12:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
I just replaced my LS3 lifters with LS7 lifters. Note the LS3 lifters have the oil hole on the top or bottom middle of the lifter and the LS7’s are on the side. NEW OEM GM LIFTER TRAYS A MUST. More then likely 7.4 pushrods. Trunion upgrade Comp cams 17302 is a must. I also added a Texas Speed Stage 1 cam. Lots of work but well worth it. If your not going to race it you don’t need the CHE and they are on back order almost everywhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
LS7 lifters from Summitt. Comp cams Trunion upgrade from Summitt. #17302. New OEM LIFTER TRAYS FROM GM ONLY. Use OEM head gaskets and ARP Head bolts. Take your time and chase all threads carefully and follow torque specs.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
If I were changing the cam also I prob would get these. I won’t be able to use the stock pushrods with these. I’m keeping the motor stock so I’m thinking the GM ls7 lifters will be fine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
I hope you don’t have any issues with that Comp trunnion kit, I’ve heard of some issues with them. I will prob end up going with the Straub bushing style kit if not the CHE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The only issue with Comp cams Trunion is if you install the caged bearings improperly. IE nomenclature to the outside is the only way to go. If all else CFM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I would go with the Morel 6504 drop in LS lifters. Texas Speed actually has these on sale right now. Definitely do the lifter trays also.
As for trunnion kit, if you are on the stock LS3 cam, I don't think its necessary. But the CHE kit is not a bad upgrade at all either.
The preload for the Morels is 0.060 and stock LS7's is 0.080 (correct me if I am wrong, not easy to find correct information).
You should really measure for proper pushrod length since you are changing lifters and you may need a different length pushrod, regardless. That being said, I am sure you could run the Morels with your same pushrods and they would be fine. LS lifters all have an amount that the plunger can travel to make up for any differences in engine tolerances and expansion and contraction from when the engine is hot and when it is cold.
But a hardened pushrod upgrade is not a bad idea even on a stock engine.
As for trunnion kit, if you are on the stock LS3 cam, I don't think its necessary. But the CHE kit is not a bad upgrade at all either.
The preload for the Morels is 0.060 and stock LS7's is 0.080 (correct me if I am wrong, not easy to find correct information).
You should really measure for proper pushrod length since you are changing lifters and you may need a different length pushrod, regardless. That being said, I am sure you could run the Morels with your same pushrods and they would be fine. LS lifters all have an amount that the plunger can travel to make up for any differences in engine tolerances and expansion and contraction from when the engine is hot and when it is cold.
But a hardened pushrod upgrade is not a bad idea even on a stock engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
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From: Southeast TX
With a stock LS3, I'd use LS7 lifters, new trays, and new stock LS3 rocker arms. There's no reason to upgrade the rocker arms. I'm running stock rocker arms with a .620 lift cam. It's been going strong for over 20K miles. I looked at upgrading to some high dollar rocker arms when I change valve springs in a few hundred miles. I don't see the need to spend the money. I'll probably just go back with another set of stock LS3 rocker arms. They're not expensive at all.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
I would go with the Morel 6504 drop in LS lifters. Texas Speed actually has these on sale right now. Definitely do the lifter trays also.
As for trunnion kit, if you are on the stock LS3 cam, I don't think its necessary. But the CHE kit is not a bad upgrade at all either.
The preload for the Morels is 0.060 and stock LS7's is 0.080 (correct me if I am wrong, not easy to find correct information).
You should really measure for proper pushrod length since you are changing lifters and you may need a different length pushrod, regardless. That being said, I am sure you could run the Morels with your same pushrods and they would be fine. LS lifters all have an amount that the plunger can travel to make up for any differences in engine tolerances and expansion and contraction from when the engine is hot and when it is cold.
But a hardened pushrod upgrade is not a bad idea even on a stock engine.
As for trunnion kit, if you are on the stock LS3 cam, I don't think its necessary. But the CHE kit is not a bad upgrade at all either.
The preload for the Morels is 0.060 and stock LS7's is 0.080 (correct me if I am wrong, not easy to find correct information).
You should really measure for proper pushrod length since you are changing lifters and you may need a different length pushrod, regardless. That being said, I am sure you could run the Morels with your same pushrods and they would be fine. LS lifters all have an amount that the plunger can travel to make up for any differences in engine tolerances and expansion and contraction from when the engine is hot and when it is cold.
But a hardened pushrod upgrade is not a bad idea even on a stock engine.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I guess I was wrong ... I always thought that the OEM LS3 lifters were exactly the same as the OEM LS7 valve lifters.
So, the OEM LS7 lifter is superior to the OEM LS3 lifter ... and has a different GM part number ?
So, the OEM LS7 lifter is superior to the OEM LS3 lifter ... and has a different GM part number ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
Idk I was under the impression they were exactly the same.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Actually with the Morells you would technically need a shorter pushrod. You would just be running .080 lifter preload on the Morells instead of .060 which is not a problem as they have built in range of plunger travel.
Honestly, if you think about it since pushrods are usually sold in .025 length increments, going with a shorter pushrod would mean you would be at .055 preload which is not quite enough. When I have done cams or changed lifters, I try to hit the right preload but more often than not when you measure, it will fall between two different pushrod lengths. I always go with the longer in that case.
And depending on the engine builder some recommend more and some less preload on the exact same lifters. Your stock pushrods with the Morells would work just fine.
But your car, your decision.
Honestly, if you think about it since pushrods are usually sold in .025 length increments, going with a shorter pushrod would mean you would be at .055 preload which is not quite enough. When I have done cams or changed lifters, I try to hit the right preload but more often than not when you measure, it will fall between two different pushrod lengths. I always go with the longer in that case.
And depending on the engine builder some recommend more and some less preload on the exact same lifters. Your stock pushrods with the Morells would work just fine.
But your car, your decision.
Last edited by Spaceme1117; Jan 28, 2021 at 05:25 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Melting Slicks
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
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OP I wouldn't worry about it. My car is cammed and sounds like a sewing machine. Has been ticking since the cam installation seven years ago. I've been thinking about swapping in the 2110's but not sure I'm going to do it. If a lifter was to fail I think it would've by now.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 266
From: Virginia
OP I wouldn't worry about it. My car is cammed and sounds like a sewing machine. Has been ticking since the cam installation seven years ago. I've been thinking about swapping in the 2110's but not sure I'm going to do it. If a lifter was to fail I think it would've by now.