How long has your aftermarket cam lasted or not lasted??

[CFD]

I'm moving on to cam #3. Both ( vvt -3's) were damaged due to failed lifters.

[Johnthegreat]

Originally Posted by CFD

I'm moving on to cam #3. Both ( vvt -3's) were damaged due to failed lifters.

We're they ls3 lifters or the ones that came on factory?

[CFD]

Originally Posted by Johnthegreat

We're they ls3 lifters or the ones that came on factory?

LS3 lifters, all were replaced each time the cam was. I'm still tearing everything down and haven't yet determined if the lifter failed due to weakness or as a result of another problem, possibly valve springs.

I'm posting pictures and my progress in my build thread along with the other two failures if you care to see.

[rberns]

Originally Posted by sutherlacd27

is there a way to organize this thread better? Such as new posts get added to a spreadsheet based on size and brand? I'm betting we would see a trend where the failures rise exponentially based on size...

That is the plan with this thread. Once there a good bit of info here PQ will organize a spreadsheet.

[NipTuckTaxi]

2223/232 114 22kmiles. first observed oil consumption getting higher. then recently irregular noise coming from the engine. figured for an exhaust leak but closer listening and search has it inside the engine. dang it. I will have it torn down to look for the potential problem. lifter and cam is my best guess, so this is only speculation but it don't sound good. also this only happened after I read this thread.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by sutherlacd27

is there a way to organize this thread better? Such as new posts get added to a spreadsheet based on size and brand? I'm betting we would see a trend where the failures rise exponentially based on size...

Do you have any ideas? Or would you want to help with it?

I'm just not great at stuff like this. I can make a spread sheet but have no idea how I"d post it regularly without it taking me too much time.

Originally Posted by rberns

That is the plan with this thread. Once there a good bit of info here PQ will organize a spreadsheet.

That is the plan but I'd hand it off if someone wanted to tackle it. haha

I'll do it but still want to wait till I get a really good pool.

[MValdez17]

Cam still in use Y/N: No (New one on the way, but questioning it.)
Cam type/brand: Comp Cams
Cam Specs: 239/243 .624/.624 114LSA
Cam miles: 7,000
Forced induction: No
Power level: 447RWHP
Oil type: Valvoline VR1 20/50 and LS30
Oil Pump: HV Melling Oil Pump
Date of cam purchase: March 2013
Valve train upgrades: Patriot Extreme Dual
Bottom end upgrades: None

Started with with a tapping noise, then one day tapping noise was much louder. Pulled the heads off. All lifters worn out, one lifter completely broke. All lobes on cam were grooved and pitted.


Trying to determine the cause of this problem. New cam, new oil pump, 8k RPM lifters, and etc are on the way. Have the heads getting checked out now.

[rberns]

Originally Posted by MValdez17

Cam still in use Y/N: No (New one on the way, but questioning it.)
Cam type/brand: Comp Cams
Cam Specs: 239/243 .624/.624 114LSA
Cam miles: 7,000
Forced induction: No
Power level: 447RWHP
Oil type: Valvoline VR1 20/50 and LS30
Oil Pump: HV Melling Oil Pump
Date of cam purchase: March 2013
Valve train upgrades: Patriot Extreme Dual
Bottom end upgrades: None

Started with with a tapping noise, then one day tapping noise was much louder. Pulled the heads off. All lifters worn out, one lifter completely broke. All lobes on cam were grooved and pitted.


Trying to determine the cause of this problem. New cam, new oil pump, 8k RPM lifters, and etc are on the way. Have the heads getting checked out now.

what lifter were you running?

[MValdez17]

Originally Posted by rberns

what lifter were you running?

They were the stock LS3 lifters. 35k miles on the engine. Here are a couple of pictures to show the damage. Im curious to see what others look like.

[v8]

Are these engines all L99's

[CFD]

Originally Posted by MValdez17

They were the stock LS3 lifters. 35k miles on the engine. Here are a couple of pictures to show the damage. Im curious to see what others look like.

Looks just like mine.

[mikeyg36]

This thread is really making me reconsider doing a cam. Wanted the GPI SS3 with the BTR kit, melling, and C5r chain. Was going to skip the trunion upgrade, but I don't think that's a good idea after reading all of this. :\

[rberns]

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

This thread is really making me reconsider doing a cam. Wanted the GPI SS3 with the BTR kit, melling, and C5r chain. Was going to skip the trunion upgrade, but I don't think that's a good idea after reading all of this. :\

I know right. Im scared as hell to do my cam swap, but I have already started buying the parts. Hoping that since I am upgrading all my parts and I don't track it that I won't have any of these issues.

[CWI]

Without much evidence that some other failure is letting metal get to the rollers and cause failure, is it possible weak valve springs are allowing the lobes to beat the hell out of the rollers? Has anyone tested their springs after lifter failure to see how much fatigue there is? How much spring rate is left at time of failure?

Without something else being broken first, causing metal into the valve train, is this a reasonable suspicion?