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?

 

[randeez]

do it.

and no this thing aint knockin on 12s

Id have to prob regear, get a better converter, drag radials, get the front end to stay down, and drop a couple hundred lbs to get anywhere near close with hp where it is now.

keeping the front end down im already working on
and i will prob get a better converter, prob same stall just single/multi disc

once cold weather returns i'll be able to see if anything i did helps, otherwise i'll just be happy if it pulls the same times as the last few months throughout the summer

 

[Mrsteef]

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?

Many, many, many times. I used to drift and would be up there about once a month either drifting or watching. Have a bunch of buddies that still do. I ran my Silverado down the 1/4 a day after I bought it lol

 

[swathdiver]

Many, many, many times. I used to drift and would be up there about once a month either drifting or watching. Have a bunch of buddies that still do. I ran my Silverado down the 1/4 a day after I bought it lol

Good! I think it would be fun to get together again when it cools off. Last time, there were three of us and the fourth was broke down and couldn't make it. There's enough of us here between Saint Lucie and Broward to triple that number next time.

 

[Mrsteef]

Good! I think it would be fun to get together again when it cools off. Last time, there were three of us and the fourth was broke down and couldn't make it. There's enough of us here between Saint Lucie and Broward to triple that number next time.

I definitely have to replace my motor and trans mounts before then lol

 

[swathdiver]

I definitely have to replace my motor and trans mounts before then lol

Your motor? What's wrong with your motor? I was the slowest last time.

 

[Mrsteef]

Your motor? What's wrong with your motor? I was the slowest last time.

Haha mounts I meant, mounts!

 

[swathdiver]

Haha mounts I meant, mounts!

Ahh, my fault. I was sleep deprived earlier!

 

[tst1212]

I have a 2011 Tahoe, and after reading here, I'm getting so!d on the idea of a AFM delete, cam and lifter replacement. Can someone give me a rough estimate as to how much it cost? Also, any ideas where to get it done in the DC area?

 

[randeez]

1500 DIY, add at least 10 hours of labor to have someone do it

to swap what needs to be swapped atleast and tune.
if higher mileage id suggest swapping out the oilpump, clean the heads up, have a little more incase you break/or find other broken parts

 

[iamdub]

1500 DIY, add at least 10 hours of labor to have someone do it

to swap what needs to be swapped atleast and tune.
if higher mileage id suggest swapping out the oilpump, clean the heads up, have a little more incase you break/or find other broken parts

This.

Something else to consider: For example, in my case, I don't wanna dump $1,500 into a 200K-mile 5.3. Sure, it runs strong, doesn't smoke, etc., But still. For around $2,000, I can get a LY6 or maybe even L9H and swap it in just as easily (probably more easily, actually) and have more power with OEM reliability and no wonky lifters.