CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Rob Wright · 12-06-2021, 01:23 PM

Stock LS7 lifters have the best dynamic stability out of any I've tested, and the earlier-version LS7 lifters with circlip axle retention are the ones to have.

Differences in stability of stock vs aftermarket brand "M" and aftermarket brand "J" is not incredibly significant.....Best to worst (stability-wise) is listed in order and again, they are not vastly different. All of this assumes plunger at mid-travel for preload.

Actually in my experience the WORST performing hydraulics (stability, , on a given cam/spring/rocker/pushrod combination) were limited travel units.

If you're hitting a wall at 7000 RPM, you should look at whether you have TOO MUCH spring force (compressing the lifter plunger isn't necessarily the problem.....), too heavy retainer, spring, rocker, or all three, and more often than not the cam lobe geometry itself.

Proper lobe geometry shouldn't require tons of spring force to run well past 8K RPM if it is packaged with light valves (like stock LS) a light rocker (like the stock LS), retainer (again, stock LS), and spring (like beehive or well thought out dual like PSI LS 1512 ML), along with a pushrod that is stiff enough to avoid deflection/energy storage/energy release. This sequence causes bounce at closing and that's when stuff breaks.

12-06-2021, 01:23 PM	#6
Rob Wright Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 45 Likes: 2 Liked 21 Times in 7 Posts	Re: LS Hydraulic lifter limitations Stock LS7 lifters have the best dynamic stability out of any I've tested, and the earlier-version LS7 lifters with circlip axle retention are the ones to have. Differences in stability of stock vs aftermarket brand "M" and aftermarket brand "J" is not incredibly significant.....Best to worst (stability-wise) is listed in order and again, they are not vastly different. All of this assumes plunger at mid-travel for preload. Actually in my experience the WORST performing hydraulics (stability, , on a given cam/spring/rocker/pushrod combination) were limited travel units. If you're hitting a wall at 7000 RPM, you should look at whether you have TOO MUCH spring force (compressing the lifter plunger isn't necessarily the problem.....), too heavy retainer, spring, rocker, or all three, and more often than not the cam lobe geometry itself. Proper lobe geometry shouldn't require tons of spring force to run well past 8K RPM if it is packaged with light valves (like stock LS) a light rocker (like the stock LS), retainer (again, stock LS), and spring (like beehive or well thought out dual like PSI LS 1512 ML), along with a pushrod that is stiff enough to avoid deflection/energy storage/energy release. This sequence causes bounce at closing and that's when stuff breaks.