Lifter replacement

I am going to pull the engine and reseal it. While it's out, I was debating a cam swap like the ones recommended in the sticky. This is the first roller engine I have really worked on. Do you need to replace the lifters like in a flat tappet engine? I've got 115k on it.

You should not have any problems unless the lifters are damaged. Roller engines are a lot more friendly than flat tappet engines. I reused the lifters in my 103K engine, and it is fine. While you have it apart, put full roller rockers in it, and you will get at least 5 more HP.

Ok, thanks. Are those smaller cams mention going to need a tune?

A. What engine do you have?

B. smaller cams?

Exactly!

What do you mean by smaller cam?

I think he means "smaller" than some of the big cams, but still "bigger" than the stock cam.

Correct. Smaller meaning not the lt4 cam. I'm guessing it was posted as being for the 6 speed vette because it's a bit aggressive for an auto

Oh and 96 lt1

a gear swap will give you the best bang for the buck,.

cam change needs a lot of stuff to go with it,..

If your wagon is stock,. here's what i would do in this order,.

Cold air intake,.
upgrade mufflers,
ecm tune,.

First big change for me is always a gear ratio change,. that singularly makes the biggest difference,.
Then a torque converter,.

The stock lt1 will do very well in stock form with a new set of valve springs,.

cam and heads and headers and retune all gets done at the same time,..

The best way to modify one of these wagons is from back to front.

I had the most fun driving my blue wagon with its big brakes, springs, eibachs and big sway bars,
when i put the rear end in with the C5 brake setup and the 4:88 gears,.

The car was a blast to drive,. it acted very light,.would pull easy to 5500 in O/D

You will have to have it reprogrammed for the cam, and the rear.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

You will have to have it reprogrammed for the cam, and the rear.

Thanks captain,...

Well I am not going to a crazy ratio like that. I'd go for a 3.42.

I went from a stock 3.06 to a 3.42:1 posi rear in Shammoo two years ago. Many here went to 3.73:1 for there cars. There was  a  vehicle speed sensor gear  to help correct the speedometer issue for my year car. It was simple, and did not require dropping the tranny to fix it.

I went to the 3.42 to "wake up" things without killing gas mileage more than it already sucked. (450hp)
others will swear by the 3.73:1.

In all I'd agree with Nick that the simple best bang for the buck  changes to gain "hidden horsepower" come from other things, not cams.

lakeffect wrote:

I went from a stock 3.06 to a 3.42:1 posi rear in Shammoo two years ago. Many here went to 3.73:1 for their cars. There was a  vehicle speed sensor gear to help correct the speedometer issue for my car. It's was a simple fix, and did not require dropping the tranny to fix it.

I went to the 3.42 to "wake up" things without killing gas mileage more than it already sucked. (450hp)
others will swear by the 3.73:1.

In all I'd agree with Nick that the simple best bang for the buck  changes to gain "hidden horsepower" come from other things, not cams.

3.73:1 made my wagon a ton of fun!!  NOTE:  No speed sensor (gear) in the 96 4L60E, but a PCM reprogram will fix the speedo.

Eh. I guess I will leave it be for now. Just reseal it and build an engine on the side. I'm going to replace all the hoses and lines I can while the car is apart