Tuning out afm and cam swap question

[Mrsteef]

So, I have a good friend who worked at diablosport for years here in Florida. I was recently talking to him about getting a tune and eventually wanting to do a cam swap. But then of course the afm delete came up.

So from what he tells me is that it is possible to tune out afm without the afm delete and run a cam. I myself am really against doing that but at the same time he said it is definitely possible and that they did it with a shop truck they have. I guess what I’m looking for is the gurus answer to if this is possible, longevity and would it be worth it. Personally I wouldn’t do it but would really like to know

 

[swathdiver]

Very few were able to run Gen III camshafts with the AFM hardware but why do it? For anyone physically able and mechanically inclined, pulling the heads is not a big deal. The lobes on the AFM lifters are slightly taller. And those AFM lifters, despite all the fancy technology, have more parts and will eventually fail, even without AFM being active. They are not as simple or durable as a conventional roller lifter.

 

[Mrsteef]

Very few were able to run Gen III camshafts with the AFM hardware but why do it? For anyone physically able and mechanically inclined, pulling the heads is not a big deal. The lobes on the AFM lifters are slightly taller. And those AFM lifters, despite all the fancy technology, have more parts and will eventually fail, even without AFM being active. They are not as simple or durable as a conventional roller lifter.

I totally agree and that’s why I question why anybody would actually do it

 

[Scottydoggs]

dod is crap really. to many parts to fail, and fail they do. when they do fail your doing a cam and lifters anyways, so if your higher miles or its ticking, swap it for normal parts.

if i had dod id be doing at min a mild cam and lifter swap with a tune of course. and calling it preventive maintenance.

 

[iamdub]

dod is crap really. to many parts to fail, and fail they do. when they do fail your doing a cam and lifters anyways, so if your higher miles or its ticking, swap it for normal parts.

if i had dod id be doing at min a mild cam and lifter swap with a tune of course. and calling it preventive maintenance.

Wuuuuurd.

 

[Mrsteef]

My Tahoe is actually starting to tick lol. Only has 106k on the clock debating to do it now or putting it off but definitely wouldn’t mind the chop if it saves the motor from further nonsense

 

[Scottydoggs]

ive heard of cam lobes rounding out, sending metal shavings through the engine and if left or ignored, the engine will completely die.

if your tick is only when the engines cold, id take a look at the exhaust manifold bolts, looking for one to be missing. or the heads snap off. the outer ends tend to be the ones that go first. i lost a front pass side bolt, it just fell out. and i also lost a d/s rear bolt. same engine. both gave me a good tick till it warmed up, then the manifold expands with heat and it stops the leak.

i was under warranty still too. dealer had no clue wtf the sounds was and never found or fixed it.

i ended up spotting it while doing my brakes, saw the tell tail black exhaust line on the head from the exhaust ports then saw the bolt missing.

 

[Mrsteef]

ive heard of cam lobes rounding out, sending metal shavings through the engine and if left or ignored, the engine will completely die.

if your tick is only when the engines cold, id take a look at the exhaust manifold bolts, looking for one to be missing. or the heads snap off. the outer ends tend to be the ones that go first. i lost a front pass side bolt, it just fell out. and i also lost a d/s rear bolt. same engine. both gave me a good tick till it warmed up, then the manifold expands with heat and it stops the leak.

i was under warranty still too. dealer had no clue wtf the sounds was and never found or fixed it.

i ended up spotting it while doing my brakes, saw the tell tail black exhaust line on the head from the exhaust ports then saw the bolt missing.

Unfortunately my truck isn’t under warranty and the tick doesn’t go away after it’s warm. I also noticed a change in oil pressure it seems a bit high even on WOT

 

[Mrsteef]

I’m hoping by the end of the year to physically delete the afm and do exactly this. Minus that exhaust he’s got. It’s the TSP low lift 212/218 cam .555 .555 and some ls6 lifters

 

[swathdiver]

I’m hoping by the end of the year to physically delete the afm... TSP low lift 212/218 cam .555 .555 and some ls6 lifters

Our neighbor in Jupiter, @randeezm, has done a cam swap and such and is a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Last time I checked, his Denali was up around 500 horses and knocking on the 12s in the quarter mile.

Hey Chris, have you been to Palm Beach International Raceway before?