Anyone using caddy race lifters?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Anyone using caddy race lifters?
I’m having my LS3 rebuilt and instead of using LS7 lifters I was planning on using the Chevy performance “caddy race lifters” p/n
The motor will be all stock. Thanks
88958689.
Anyone have any experience on these? Also will these work well with stock pushrods or do they require a different preload/pushrod length?The motor will be all stock. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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I’m having my LS3 rebuilt and instead of using LS7 lifters I was planning on using the Chevy performance “caddy race lifters” p/n
The motor will be all stock. Thanks
88958689.
Anyone have any experience on these? Also will these work well with stock pushrods or do they require a different preload/pushrod length?The motor will be all stock. Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
I bought some years ago. But when I measured them, the were between .0005"-.001" smaller than the OEM standard lifters, and I didn't want the oil pressure drop I'm sure that would've happened if I would've kept them. That, and I called at least 7 or 8 different engine builders to get a preload spec, and I got 7 or 8 different specs/opinions!!! Screw that noise. I returned them, and got regular old LS7 lifters........
Pardon my ignorance but why would the caddy lifters cause a drop in oil pressure?!
I put brand new LS7 lifters (the real GM ones) in my car like 3k miles ago and have been super easy on the car since and one failed on me the other day, so I’m hesitant to put another set in.
I called BTR and they said the caddy lifters should be able to use the stock pushrods, and they recommended them over LS7 lifters. Also, per BTR’s website the recommended preload for the caddy’s are .050-.100 - same as the LS7’s.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I’m having my LS3 rebuilt and instead of using LS7 lifters I was planning on using the Chevy performance “caddy race lifters” p/n
The motor will be all stock. Thanks
88958689.
Anyone have any experience on these? Also will these work well with stock pushrods or do they require a different preload/pushrod length?The motor will be all stock. Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
I'm using them on my heads/cam build. Probably over 35K miles on them using a .620 lift cam. It goes to 7000 rpm regularly. They've been fine once I got the preload correct. I have to also mention that I've never had a problem with stock lifters either. For a 100% stock build, the Caddy lifters may be overkill.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
I'm using them on my heads/cam build. Probably over 35K miles on them using a .620 lift cam. It goes to 7000 rpm regularly. They've been fine once I got the preload correct. I have to also mention that I've never had a problem with stock lifters either. For a 100% stock build, the Caddy lifters may be overkill.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
i’m glad you’ve had good luck with them. I’ve read a lot of mixed results on them some people say they are excellent while lots of people have mentioned failures. I think you’re right though on a stock motor it probably would be overkill. What do you think about the Morel 7717 (formerly 6504)? They seem to be a great lifter and are significantly less expensive than the LS7 lifters.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
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From: Virginia
yeah I believe most of the failures I’ve read about on the Caddy lifters are from a while back. I’m really interested in the morels because I’ve been told before they are a step up from the LS7 lifters and as of right now they are about half the price. I do realize that I would most likely need a longer pushrod with the morels though. As far as the Caddy lifters I don’t mind paying for them but I have read some conflicting info as far as valve train noise. I want to keep the valve train as quiet and smooth as possible of course and I have read from some people that the Caddy lifters are very quiet but then again I’ve also read several posts of people saying they caused excessive ticking over other lifters so I’m not really sure what to believe. They are a race lifter so in a bone stock motor I could see how they might not be the quietest lifter but that’s just a guess.
Safety Car
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
The Morel 7717's are a great lifter and in my opinion a step up from the GM LS7 lifters.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
The Morel 7717's are a great lifter and in my opinion a step up from the GM LS7 lifters.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
So they are pretty quiet huh? The last thing I want is a noisy valvetrain after all the crap I’ve been through with this car. The LS7 lifters I was running weren’t all that loud, but they certainly weren’t quiet.
Race Director
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Yes-This!! My Caddy lifters were bought back in 2008-2009(?) To the post asking about why the oil pressure would be lower, yes, it would be lower, because the clearance between the lifter bore and the lifter body was increased by .0005"-.001". This allows oil to "bleed" off/leak past. To exaggerate the situation, if you had .015" clearance, oil would be spraying out all around the lifters. Multiply by 16 (number of lifters), and you've got a lot of places the oil is leaking internally........
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I’m having my LS3 rebuilt and instead of using LS7 lifters I was planning on using the Chevy performance “caddy race lifters” p/n
The motor will be all stock. Thanks
88958689.
Anyone have any experience on these? Also will these work well with stock pushrods or do they require a different preload/pushrod length?The motor will be all stock. Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
I appreciate the feedback. I have it narrowed down to the caddy lifters or the morel 7717’s, I’m not even considering the LS7’s at this point because of failures. I think either way I’ll be okay but after talking with a rep a Tick Performance today I’ll prob go with the Morel 7717’s. They are $200 shipped and considered to be an upgrade from the LS7’s by everyone I’ve asked. He said they are a bit shorter but require less preload so I’ll most likely need a 7.375 pushrod (have to measure of course)
I think the caddy lifters would work well also but considering my valvetrain is stock they might be overkill as previously mentioned, they also are pretty expensive. I’ve not come across any reported failures on the Morels but if anyone knows of any please share.
I think the caddy lifters would work well also but considering my valvetrain is stock they might be overkill as previously mentioned, they also are pretty expensive. I’ve not come across any reported failures on the Morels but if anyone knows of any please share.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,666
I appreciate the feedback. I have it narrowed down to the caddy lifters or the morel 7717’s, I’m not even considering the LS7’s at this point because of failures. I think either way I’ll be okay but after talking with a rep a Tick Performance today I’ll prob go with the Morel 7717’s. They are $200 shipped and considered to be an upgrade from the LS7’s by everyone I’ve asked. He said they are a bit shorter but require less preload so I’ll most likely need a 7.375 pushrod (have to measure of course)
I think the caddy lifters would work well also but considering my valvetrain is stock they might be overkill as previously mentioned, they also are pretty expensive. I’ve not come across any reported failures on the Morels but if anyone knows of any please share.
I think the caddy lifters would work well also but considering my valvetrain is stock they might be overkill as previously mentioned, they also are pretty expensive. I’ve not come across any reported failures on the Morels but if anyone knows of any please share.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
If you're not turning over 7,000rpm, and not running really stiff springs, LS7 lifters are fine. I'm running to 7,000rpm, have PAC dual springs, 170lb seat, 430lbs open, and the LS7 lifters are fine. BUT-I'm probably pushing my luck. But my "luck" has held for 8 years/35,000 miles. You are probably right to go with Morel, or Johnson. If I ever have mine down again, I'll be running one or the other.......
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
The Morel 7717's are a great lifter and in my opinion a step up from the GM LS7 lifters.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
I just put an LS9 cam in my GS and used the 7717's. They run less preload so I did need a longer pushrod, a 7.425 length if I recall. But stronger, stiffer pushrods are never a bad idea even on a stock engine as the factory pushrods can have some deflection. And the lifters run nice and quiet.
Summit racing actually sells the 7717's as the Summit Racing SUM-HT217-16 part number. But they are actual Morel 7717's.
Also what preload are you running on them? I’ve seen that .050-.060 is ideal, I’ve read that even with that preload they can be noisy on startup but quieten down once warm. I def want to avoid lifter noise after this rebuild.
I might keep it stock but there’s a chance I’m going to put a BTR stage 2 cam in it instead of stock.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Where they require less preload wouldnt that technically need a shorter pushrod than stock, not longer?
Also what preload are you running on them? I’ve seen that .050-.060 is ideal, I’ve read that even with that preload they can be noisy on startup but quieten down once warm. I def want to avoid lifter noise after this rebuild.
I might keep it stock but there’s a chance I’m going to put a BTR stage 2 cam in it instead of stock.
Also what preload are you running on them? I’ve seen that .050-.060 is ideal, I’ve read that even with that preload they can be noisy on startup but quieten down once warm. I def want to avoid lifter noise after this rebuild.
I might keep it stock but there’s a chance I’m going to put a BTR stage 2 cam in it instead of stock.
Lifters are nice and quiet with that preload on my car even at startup. I'm running an LS9 cam with CamMotion 7.375 pushrods and their 0.625 lift beehive springs.
I would imagine if you are running a big cam and using dual valve springs, you will have more valve train noise.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 225
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From: Reading, Pa
i would recommend getting rid of the trays and just go and get a set of link bars in the 4-500 dollar range. cammotion i believe has 1 or 2 offerings. trays arent horrible but if you are considering the caddy lifter just spend an extra 100 for the guarantee of no spuns lifters? i would.....