I pulled the 4.8 out of my truck yesterday to install the cam and springs...pulled the trans/motor,prepping the 4l80e to go back. The motor has 130,000 miles and runs as good as a stock 4.8 should...my question is should I change the lifters? The cam is 212-220 557/564 on 118lsa and I will be running patriot golds. If I need to do lifters I may as well stud it and run the ls9 gaskets.I plan on running 8-10lb of boost then max out the mp70 later on. Anyone give a broke SOB some advice?

 

If the engine is out I would go ahead and put some LS7 lifters in and LS9 head gaskets just for peace of mind.

 

Yeah I have already talked myself into it,only thing is I got a 150,000 mile 5.3 that was pulled for ticking lifters soo I,m gonna go ahead and put that motor in since I have about 100 bucks in it. If I grenade it I will still have my good 4.8.

 

I assume you'll be doing the LS7 lifters/LS9 gaskets in the 5.3 then?
Always good to have a backup engine

 

Yeah...wonder which site sponser has the best price? I couldnt find the ls9 heads gaskets on SDPC OR Summit. I think I'm gonna run the Ebay head studs,they should be better than an oem head bolt right.

 

SDPC has the best price on the LS7 lifters iirc... like $120ish. Hit up Beau, SDPC will get you squared away.

 

I bought ls9 gakets(OEM) for my 5.3 and eBay head studs for ~$65 and they are holding pretty good. LOTS of abuse on 12lbs of boost and haven't lifted a head. Torqued them down in a 3 pass sequence with thread locker and 5w-30 motor oil (30-60-90lbs)

 

I think thats the route I'm going, ebay studs ls9 gaskets ls7 lifters.

 

If you're changing the lifters, are you gonna change the rockers? If so, which ones did you go with? How are the stock rockers at 12 psi?

 

I really should have asked what the effects of dual valve springs would have on high mile lifters. I decided to not chance it and change them,if I were running ls6 springs I would have ran the old lifters.I dont plan on doing anything rocker wise.