[adamayd]

I have a 2008 Sierra Z71 with 5.3. One of the DOD lifters is making noise at start-up until oil pressure gets up. This has been going on for the 2 years plus that I've owned the truck. I bought it with 215k and it now has 225k. I would like to replace the engine. My thought is that I would install a DOD delete kit in the replacement engine before installing it. My concern is if programming the ECM to delete DOD will fail the Maryland emissions test. I currently have the Range unit that plugs into the OBD-II port. When I went to emissions testing last time, it wouldn't pass until I had a complete cycle without the Range plugged in. I was hoping that programming the ECM wouldn't have the same effect since it's not trying to change things on the fly like the Range. Is there anyone that has experience with programming the ECM in Maryland and the emissions test?

 

[shakenfake]

It should be fine if they just check the systems readying

Also I wouldn't waste the time and money buying a new engine. I would just rebuild yours. You have enough time to where you only need to do the cam and lifters rather than pulling the whole engine out anyway

 

[adamayd]

It should be fine if they just check the systems readying

Also I wouldn't waste the time and money buying a new engine. I would just rebuild yours. You have enough time to where you only need to do the cam and lifters rather than pulling the whole engine out anyway

I'm not 100% sure what they are checking outside of system readiness and the presence of codes.

It's funny you said that, someone else I was talking to recently said the same thing about just pulling the heads and doing the cam and lifters instead of getting another engine. Do you think that's a safe bet with 225k miles? I only put about 5k on a year but it works during those 5k. Hauling and light towing around a farmette/homestead.

 

[shakenfake]

Yes I wouldn't even blink at it

 

[jglew82]

I'd throw on a new oil pump also for good measure, but other than that unless it's using oil/low on compression no need for replacement.

 

[adamayd]

I'd throw on a new oil pump also for good measure, but other than that unless it's using oil/low on compression no need for replacement.

It only uses oil if I run it without the Range unit installed. Also oil pressure is a bit on the low side at idle although the Lucas oil treatment has helped with that. Definitely sounds like a good idea to replace the oil pump and the pickup o-ring too.

 

[dogbiscuit]

Do the cam bearings if you do the cam, that could be related to your low OP, They can start to walk out of the journals. If they have spun the block may be junk

 

[davester]

...even if the bearings spun, you can get it bored larger and install oversize cam bearings. Not cheap, but likely cheaper than getting a new block...

 

[BoltspeedMen]

It only uses oil if I run it without the Range unit installed. Also oil pressure is a bit on the low side at idle although the Lucas oil treatment has helped with that. Definitely sounds like a good idea to replace the oil pump and the pickup o-ring too.

Burning oil with DOD/AFM on, and low PSI idle on or off on a non delete is completely normal.

There’s zero compression on 1,4,6,7 with AFM on. The 3 piece oil scraper ring on the LS actually floats and rotates without any compression. It just shoots the oil straight out. Hence super quick plug fowling, oil consumption, rolling coal at WOT.

Gen IV also have oil galleys all the way to the Top the block to activate the lifters. A lot more holes, and shit going on than a gen III. 20-30psi oil pressure at idle is 100% normal.

 

[BoltspeedMen]

Do the cam bearings if you do the cam, that could be related to your low OP, They can start to walk out of the journals. If they have spun the block may be junk

How many have you seen walk out on a GEN IV?

 

[adamayd]

This is getting a bit out of hand for me with changing cam bearings. I wouldn't really have the know how, or tools to accomplish this correctly. I thought it was a bit more straight forward from what I was reading. I'm wondering if the best bet is to just get the low mileage used motor and do a clean swap without touching the cam. I drive less than 5000 miles a year so the truck would rust away before the replacement engine would probably give up. I would still be curious if anyone has dealt with MD emissions after programming with HP Tuners. It would be great to program it to stay in V8 mode instead of running the Range unit.

 

[shakenfake]

Just don’t change them lol I would never change cam bearings cause lazy

God you people make things so complicated

 

[BoltspeedMen]

This is getting a bit out of hand for me with changing cam bearings. I wouldn't really have the know how, or tools to accomplish this correctly. I thought it was a bit more straight forward from what I was reading. I'm wondering if the best bet is to just get the low mileage used motor and do a clean swap without touching the cam. I drive less than 5000 miles a year so the truck would rust away before the replacement engine would probably give up. I would still be curious if anyone has dealt with MD emissions after programming with HP Tuners. It would be great to program it to stay in V8 mode instead of running the Range unit.

Would not worry about the cam bearings one bit.

Wouldn’t even pull the motor. Just install DOD/AFM and oil pump with block still installed.