The lsx valvetrain tick complaint is as proverbial as the day is long. Ramp rates, lifter condition, incorrect pushrod length, etc are primary contributors. I'm wondering though if anyone has ever used a medium tension dual spring. Say, 135lbs @ ~1.800" instead of the more common 155lbs at ~1.800". And did that quiet valvetrain tick/ tap?

 

What cam/springs/PR's are you using now? Specs on cam?

 

Using a softer spring is a bad idea IMO. The real problem is the cam is closing the valve very fast so its basically slamming into the head. Using a softer spring increases the chances of lifter loft and you really dont want that.

 

I am using a small cam... 215/219 .612/.585 114+3

BTR Platinum .660" dual springs. AC Delco LS7 lifters. BTR trunion kit.

With a 7.350 pushrod I have .090" preload. With a 7.325 pushrod I have .065" preload. I have tried both and neither makes too much of a difference. Stock 862 heads milled .030" with LS9 gaskets.

Going to try some VR1 20/50 oil today, but I know that won't make too much difference either, other than add to my buckets of used oil lol. I realize that there are an umpteen number of "lifter tick" threads all over the internet, but I was just trying to think outside the box. I've never successfully put a cammed LS motor together that didn't have a lifter/ valve tick. I even tried Johnson short travels on my vette and it still ticks lol. However one thing that's interesting. When the 5.3 in my truck was bone bone bone stock, it had no tick. I installed BTR platinums on stock heads/ stock lifters/ stock cam and there was a pretty noticeable tick! I figured the stock lifters weren't up to the task of the heavier springs. But even with new lifters and a small cam, the darn thing ticks. That's what got me thinking about the heavy dual springs possibly being the culprit. Just venting guys...

 

It really shouldn't be noticeable with the hood closed.

My BTR platinums are quieter than the 1218 beehives.

I'm running 1 bank of original 2002 lifters and 1 bank of LS7 lifters. LOL.

 

Lmao Yea actually it's not noticeable with hood closed, but strangely it really comes through the firewall. It sounds like there's a worn out sewing machine stuck up in the dash.

 

sounds like a POS.

I think you should let me take it off your hands lol

 

Lol I need to get the bugs sorted first.

 

mine is exactly the same as you described. can hear inside the cab more than under the hood. worse at 1,300 to 2,000 rpm. sounds just like a damn sewing machine. I have the btr .660 springs with titanium retianers. 7.325 pushrods with .060 preload and the btr trunion upgrade. .626/.626 lift. 1249225 lifter kit. just swapped from a 7.375 pushrod because it was making the awful sound and checked my preload and realized it was to deep. but after putting the preload where it needed to be, it still makes the sound.

 

Interesting! I'm guessing you had your heads milled or are running a thinner gasket. Did you have the guides replaced? Who's cam? I'm thinking my problem is just like Atomic and others have suggested... steep ramp rates slamming the valves shut. I've read that certain cam grinds have softer ramp rates than others, such as the Cam Motions.