call thunder send it to them so it can be sent to comp cams to verify its a soft cam they should swap it out for a new cam of your choice for really cheap
But yes i would replace lifters also after seeing how bad this cam is worn.
I am sure the roller on your lifters have marks on them that will eat a new cam!

 

Vids are hard to make some decisions like that.. If it has a hollow smacking sound it is a rod knock.. If it is more metallic sound it is something else.. Harder to explain then to diagnose it in person.. I would go about my way, make sure you change the oil, hell might be good to drop the pan and windage tray just to make sure **** isn't in there. Def do new lifters.. Put the cam in, if it still makes noise then go from there...

 

how was your oil pressure?
If you have a rod bearing knocking go from cylinder to cylinder taking the plug wire off or unplugging the coil
Your knock should change sound when you find what cylinder has a problem
Basically remove the explosion/pressure in the cylinder and the knock will go away or change sound pitch

 

It is an old practice that is unnecessary with modern day hydraulic roller camshafts, however when replacing just the cam it is very important to inspect every lobe of the old camshaft for evidence of damage. Beings you don’t really have the opportunity to inspect the lifters themselves without removing the heads on an LS style engine, the camshaft is all you have to go by and if there are any markings to the cam lobes, the lifters will need to be replaced. You don’t want the old lifters to transfer whatever damage they may have sustained to your new camshaft.

There are various reasons for lobe damage, such as improper heat treatment as was previously mentioned and others. Valve float is another issue that will totally destroy a roller cam; due to the lifter being allowed to bounce on the cam lobe creating divots and once a cam has been damaged in this manner, it’s only a matter of time before the lobes are destroyed.

 

The oil pressure was normal and the gauge was steady, not bouncing around or anything. TBH I rarely even wrap my truck out anymore so idk what happened. I'll update you guys next weekend when I pull the heads.

 

Did you call about the cam?

 

Curious as to what kind of valve springs you're running...

 

good question
wonder if they didnt have enuff seat pressure?

 

It's a possibility...

 

I had the same problem with my V.3 from Texas speed in my 5.3.
It had a nice tick pulled the cam and it had a lobe that looked a little worse than yours. ( I drove it ticking for a few weeks) but the lifter was also trashed.
So I would replace all lifters and the cam of course.