LS3 tear down finding at 50k, 20k with GPI SS3 Cam, bushed trunnions, etc

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by Badbubba

Piece of mind knowing these components will last 20k miles. I won't even bother with inspecting for further use. Just replace.

Yes sir, good info, as now we know what they will look like in MOST builds at different mileages, and mine going 27k, the highest so far and look like they do, swap them out when you do a spring refresh. Even though Andrew said they weren't awefully bad, just for peace of mind, refresh them. Now my next thought is whether to swap out my Delhi LS7 lifters for the "caddie" lifters so I can use more of my rpm power band my LOD wants above 7k. Right now we turned down the rev limiter to 7k to be safe.

[LS3_BILL]

I do apologize for bringing up an old thread.. but just to clarify.. you were spinning stock oem LS3 lifters to 7200rpm with the ss3 cam ?

[acammer]

Originally Posted by LS3_BILL

I do apologize for bringing up an old thread.. but just to clarify.. you were spinning stock oem LS3 lifters to 7200rpm with the ss3 cam ?

That's correct - my target shift point was 7,200rpm, limiter typically at 7300rpm. It had been as high as 7,600rpm testing, undoubtedly not in good control of the valves at that point, and far beyond what I would recommend to any customer. I was flirting with disaster, and accepted those risks.

Original combo was SS3 cam, OEM LS3 (LS7) lifters, stock rockers with Smith Bros. trunnions, BTR 660 platinum springs with tool steel retainers, and stock LS3 valves.

I suggest to any customer that any time your going to exceed either 7,000rpm or 400lbs of open spring pressure that you need to make the step up to the Chevrolet Performance - Racing (pn 88958689) AKA Caddy lifters. They are better material, better manufacturing, and a better design, and hold up much better under those conditions.

[LS3_BILL]

Thank you very much for that... I had no idea the ls3 lifters were even that good lol... revving out to 7200 must have been absolutely awesome

[acammer]

Originally Posted by LS3_BILL

Thank you very much for that... I had no idea the ls3 lifters were even that good lol... revving out to 7200 must have been absolutely awesome

As the original video shows, the lifters and cam lobes were all in very good shape given the life that they lived. I'm confident that an important part of that longevity was the Driven LS30 oil specifically engineered for this sort of application. I would also say I was lucky - I don't recommend that sort of rpm with those lifters to customers. Many will do it, and many will be successful, but the lifter is probably the single most common failure point I see on these engines, and definitely a place to spend a little more and "do right" when adding a cam to these engines.

So, yea, 7200rpm was fun. 7700rpm is the target shift point with the new Max Package combination, and that's a riot!