LS Lifters, replace or not?? 100,000km+ cam install

[Anthony100000000]

I am wanting to install a cam soon, DIY install.
I really don't want to have to replace the lifters.

How many of you guys have ran a cam with a l98 or simliar LS engine with over 100,000km with stock lifters with a cam? (I have a 115,000km)

Thanks

 

[lowandslow]

Known heaps of people who've done it to much higher km engines than that. I didn't get my cam done till about 120-130k.

 

[QAR]

Did 180k km stock cam, you need to replace lifters and trays after 100k when changing cam. Cheap insurance.

 

[Anthony100000000]

I wouldn't mined putting in lifters down the track say in 5 or 10,000km when I have a bit more cash although it seems like a lot more work doing it at the same time as the cam..

The lifters are $200-400
Head gaskets $140
New head bolts $70

After I have removed the heads will I need to get the heads shaved (resurfaced) or can I throw them back on and bolt them up???

Cnc porting might be something to look into, I'm not sure how much that will improve the performance or how much it will cost?

 

[blackve76]

Replace them, know to fail in stock cammed cars.

Should be able to just bolt heads back on, get a aftermarket headgasket that's thinner to bring up compression a bit or get them milled a bit.

 

[nathanVY]

I didn't replace mine when I had my heads off, I should have. Haven't run into any issues yet (motor was about 80-90,000km at the time) but I still think I should've replaced them. They're cheap, hard to get to later and a common failure point on LS1s.

 

[Trevor 062]

I have been told best to replace lifters & cam @ 100k as a prevention, apparently the lifters let the 6litre down before anything else..

 

[Darcon666]

I must be one of the lucky ones... 3 cars(excluding wifeys/kids) all with Heads/Cam & Spring swaps and none have ever had any issues with their factory/stock lifters...

On the other hand, a close mate has had nothing but trouble with his E3 GTS MY11 from day 1... including a warranty engine swap in early 2013, which fixed all the problems.

 

[lmoengnr]

Its good insurance to install a new cam with new lifters.

 

[Smashfist]

Technically cam and lifters bed in as a set. You might get away without but IMO it's a waste of time to do one and not the other. Good chance to get some mild head work while they're off anyway.