3 Collapsed Lifters in 1,000 miles

[Husky429]

I have a 2011 SS Auto L99 with DOD and AFM delete and a mild TSP cam. Had a lifter explode so I replaced the oil pump with a Mellings pump, new pickup tube, new timing chain, all new CHE rockers, Comp Cams lifters and a new TSP cam. 200 miles into the rebuild, another lifter collapsed and I replaced it with a drop in replacement from Comp. 200 miles later, I have ANOTHER lifter tick. What the heck is going on?

[theflea42]

A long time ago, comp cams had a bad batch of valve springs. I bought a set of springs to match the comp cams camshaft I was putting in a 5.3 v8 for my s10. One of these springs broke, major engine damage after swallowing a valve. Started over with a brand new block, replaced just the one broken spring. Had two more springs break at two different times. The spring pieces got jammed up on both occasions to keep the valve from falling in, so no engine damage this time.

If you've had this many lifters go bad, I think I'd junk them all and replace with a new set. At least on the side of the engine where you're having the trouble.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

You used junk lifters… the good ones are very well known on here, in a nutshell the GM caddy racing lifters are good all around, Johnson’s are really good for higher rpm/more high abuse, and there’s one or two others that make the cut as well. I’d run stock LS3/7 lifters in a cammed engine over comp stuff any day. I see you are new here, take some time and search the site and you will see distinct patterns on what works well and what is a gamble. If you aren’t revving to the moon stock GM LS3/7 stuff will very likely be fine.

[Modernmusclecar]

I've stayed away from Comp parts from the beginning. A local tuner told me they were having quality issues again...he didn't elaborate.

[Modernmusclecar]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

You used junk lifters… the good ones are very well known on here, in a nutshell the GM caddy racing lifters are good all around, Johnson’s are really good for higher rpm/more high abuse, and there’s one or two others that make the cut as well. I’d run stock LS3/7 lifters in a cammed engine over comp stuff any day. I see you are new here, take some time and search the site and you will see distinct patterns on what works well and what is a gamble. If you aren’t revving to the moon stock GM LS3/7 stuff will very likely be fine.

Yep..ls7 lifters in my build. Zero Comp anything. Good advice.

[Modernmusclecar]

Originally Posted by Husky429

I have a 2011 SS Auto L99 with DOD and AFM delete and a mild TSP cam. Had a lifter explode so I replaced the oil pump with a Mellings pump, new pickup tube, new timing chain, all new CHE rockers, Comp Cams lifters and a new TSP cam. 200 miles into the rebuild, another lifter collapsed and I replaced it with a drop in replacement from Comp. 200 miles later, I have ANOTHER lifter tick. What the heck is going on?

Call TSP and order all new valvetrain components. Your fine with your other upgrades .Get the Comp stuff out and go with TSP recommend parts. Lifter ...springs and push rods based on your cam

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by Modernmusclecar

Call TSP and order all new valvetrain components. Your fine with your other upgrades .Get the Comp stuff out and go with TSP recommend parts. Lifter ...springs and push rods based on your cam

+1

[acammer]

Unfortunately it sounds like you may be a victim of "you get what you pay for". I went and took a peak at TSP's site, it looks like the Comp lifters are only $266 - that's even less than what a set of GM stock lifters cost! Great deal if they hold up, but I think you're finding that they don't.

I would consider a genuine GM LS7 lifter (not Delphi LS7-style) to be the minimum acceptable lifter for anything that runs .600+ lift and 400lbs of open spring pressure. Lifters are the most common component in the valvetrain to fail in my experience - and also the most difficult and costly to service. When I build out a package for our customers I default to the Chevy Performance - Racing lifters (aka Caddy, GMPP, P/N 88958689). These are another $130 over the cost of your standard genuine GM LS7 lifters (what all of your non-dod lifters are), but these are a substantially better quality part, better materials, better check ball mechanism, and much better reputation for coping with the rigors of higher lift cams, with more aggressive than stock lobes, more spring pressure, and more RPM.

Inexpensive lifters tend to create expensive failures. It's definitely a component worth investing in up front to save yourself a headache down the road.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by Modernmusclecar

Call TSP and order all new valvetrain components. Your fine with your other upgrades .Get the Comp stuff out and go with TSP recommend parts. Lifter ...springs and push rods based on your cam

+ 2, Comp cams stuff is junk!! Stay away from anything they offer. Ever since they have been having issues with their stuff I have always stayed away. The LS7 lifters is what I have been running.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by acammer

Unfortunately it sounds like you may be a victim of "you get what you pay for". I went and took a peak at TSP's site, it looks like the Comp lifters are only $266 - that's even less than what a set of GM stock lifters cost! Great deal if they hold up, but I think you're finding that they don't.

I would consider a genuine GM LS7 lifter (not Delphi LS7-style) to be the minimum acceptable lifter for anything that runs .600+ lift and 400lbs of open spring pressure. Lifters are the most common component in the valvetrain to fail in my experience - and also the most difficult and costly to service. When I build out a package for our customers I default to the Chevy Performance - Racing lifters (aka Caddy, GMPP, P/N 88958689). These are another $130 over the cost of your standard genuine GM LS7 lifters (what all of your non-dod lifters are), but these are a substantially better quality part, better materials, better check ball mechanism, and much better reputation for coping with the rigors of higher lift cams, with more aggressive than stock lobes, more spring pressure, and more RPM.

Inexpensive lifters tend to create expensive failures. It's definitely a component worth investing in up front to save yourself a headache down the road.

Great info here Andrew!! I unfortunately I have the Delphi LS7's in my build and so far have held up this far, 31k on them to this point. But ever since we have been talking about quality of lifters and see that these aren't one of the better ones, have quit driving the car as hard as I used to, just can't afford to swap them out yet for the Caddy lifters. Not even sure why my shop even used them in my build.

[Husky429]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Bunch of good info. Unfortunately, COMP was recommended by the “old heads” in my family as the “go-to” so that’s what I went with.

[el ess A]

Originally Posted by Husky429

Thanks for the replies everyone! Bunch of good info. Unfortunately, COMP was recommended by the “old heads” in my family as the “go-to” so that’s what I went with.

Well, that's why you need to stay up on stuff for the LS engines. What USED to work on the old SBC and others from Comp was different than today's garbage. So, based on their "old" experience, they were simply not up to the minute. It's a shame too, as Comp used to provide decent stuff for a decent price. But these ain't the 80s and 90s no more. Putting in lifters should never be a crapshoot.

It's like having an old doctor that hasn't cracked a medical book in the last 30 years telling you how to treat your ailments. You may want to take their medical advice, but verify it with a second opinion before taking action.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by el ess A

Well, that's why you need to stay up on stuff for the LS engines. What USED to work on the old SBC and others from Comp was different than today's garbage. So, based on their "old" experience, they were simply not up to the minute. It's a shame too, as Comp used to provide decent stuff for a decent price. But these ain't the 80s and 90s no more. Putting in lifters should never be a crapshoot.

It's like having an old doctor that hasn't cracked a medical book in the last 30 years telling you how to treat your ailments. You may want to take their medical advice, but verify it with a second opinion before taking action.

Exactly this!! Back in the day, "used to be good". Not so much anymore. Heck, even Crane stuff used to be good, but I'm sure they even hadn't kept up with the times. Used to run their "hi-rev" lifters in my SBC 327..

[InFiD3ViL]

I have been watching a lot of the Smeding Performance videos (That Engine Guy on YouTube) and they run the Gatorman link bar lifters on many of their builds, even up to 7k rpm. They run in the $450 range. These guys have some sick builds, so at that price point they have me very curious.

Very good lifter explanation video: