LS upgrades

Scottal

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 27, 2016
Location
Knoxville area, TN
Ive noticed there are a few others with LS stuff on here. Ive got a lq4 in my buggy. Its bone stock right now with a shitty tune (sorting that out currently). I picked up a stage two btr truck cam kit with springs for it and also some 243 heads. I have the heads back from the machine shop now. Basically waiting on the right time to put it all together in between trips. Current plan is to install the heads and cam along with a new oil pump and new timing chain. Is there anything else that needs to be done while I'm into this? I have read about trunnion upgrades and a few other things, is any of that really necessary? New lifters?
 
Trunnion upgrades are extra insurance. I bought a set from BTR and never looked back. Chromoly pushrods should be on your list along with the LS7 lifters. Couple hundred more RPM’s if you want them and the chromoly pushrods prevent efficiency losses when the stock rods bow.
 
Do the bushing style trunion upgrades, like the CHE ones. The needle bearing style work, but they start to wear.

Make sure the o ring for the pickup tube is very snug in the oil pump. If not, get the red GM one.

Definitely hardened pushrods. It's not so much a matter of RPM as it is seat pressure on the valve springs.

Might as well replace the valve stem seals while the heads are off, if you didn't already. Depending on the style of springs, you made need new spring seats and a different style valve stem seal. New retainer locks are usually a good idea too.

Obviously you'll need new headbolts. Factory ones are torque to yield.

Whatever MLS head gaskets you want are fine. They don't have to be LS9 specific. All of the replacement lifters will be "LS7" lifters. GM only has one part number now. Look around though, some places have them considerably cheaper than others.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Definitely hardened pushrods. It's not so much a matter of RPM as it is seat pressure on the valve springs.

Obviously you'll need new headbolts. Factory ones are torque to yield.

Whatever MLS head gaskets you want are fine. They don't have to be LS9 specific. All of the replacement lifters will be "LS7" lifters. GM only has one part number now. Look around though, some places have them considerably cheaper than others.
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@Scottal

Please do not trash the old used parts (old head gaskets that are "no good", old TTY head bolts that are "stretched", old lifters etc.) I need parts for my supercharged build out of a 5.3 I pulled from the bottom of a pile at the metal scrapyard (not kidding). Thank you.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" ;)
 
Bebop said:
@Scottal

Please do not trash the old used parts (old head gaskets that are "no good", old TTY head bolts that are "stretched", old lifters etc.) I need parts for my supercharged build out of a 5.3 I pulled from the bottom of a pile at the metal scrapyard (not kidding). Thank you.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" ;)
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Sloppy style!!! Check out Sloppy Mechanics on the youtubes...Matt does some magic with other folks junk!
 
Thanks everyone, Ill start looking into this stuff. Got some tuning stuff ordered today and am looking forward to the difference between something good and my local clown tune.
 
Yeah I watched @Curtis_H bend a rod in his 5.3 and just yank that one rod out the bottom and replace it then abuse that motor for years, and know several who have reused head bolts and more. I love some sloppy LS builds.
 
Bebop said:
@Scottal

Please do not trash the old used parts (old head gaskets that are "no good", old TTY head bolts that are "stretched", old lifters etc.) I need parts for my supercharged build out of a 5.3 I pulled from the bottom of a pile at the metal scrapyard (not kidding). Thank you.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" ;)
Click to expand...
I’ve never re-used a head gasket but I have re-used TTY bolts and stuff.
 
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