Cam Swap Question

[jc615]

Used valvoline vr1 and replaced it after about 1500 miles

[christianchevell]

GM LS Hydraulic Roller Cam Bulletin
Attn:*GM LS Engine*Owners
Re:*Hydraulic Roller Cam & Lifter Failures Due To Improper Lubrication
As the marketplace stretches the power levels of the popular GM LS platform (especially in power adder applications), a marked increase is being seen in hydraulic roller cam lobe deterioration, along with lifter wheel and needle bearing failures. The root issue of this problem is a general lack of understanding about the lubrication needs of this engine platform.
Customers often do not consider the need for either a break-in oil or application specific formula due to the fact that their application utilizes a hydraulic roller cam. Since these LS engines are primarily for street/strip use, a typical customer may use a conventional 20W-50 “Racing Oil” or a similar off-the-shelf lubricant. The engines are thus not broken in with specialized break-in oil, meaning that the proper foundation for valve train durability is never established.
As street applications featuring the LS engine are not typically warmed up before driving, the heavy weight oil (such as 20W-50) is slower in flowing to the hydraulic roller lifters. The result is a lack of adequate lubrication. The LS platform pump and oiling system is designed for 5W-30 viscosity grade oil, so using heavier weight oil actually reduces lubrication and often leads to rapid valve train failure.
Driven Racing Oil™ recommends using*BR30 Break-In Oil*and*LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil*as a two-part solution to this growing problem.
By utilizing the BR30 Break-In Oil, the proper additive foundation will be introduced into the engine. This is accomplished first by breaking in the LS engine for 30 minutes to one hour much like a customer with a flat tappet valve train would. The customer should then drain the oil and change the filter, install a fresh fill of BR30 and continue to break-in the engine for the next 500 miles.
Due to the use of hydraulic lifters in these engines, it is critical that the oil be changed after break-in to remove the metal particulate created during the process. If these small particles are allowed to stay in the oil system for thousands of miles serious damage will occur.
After the break-in steps are complete, it is time to install the LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil, which is a properly formulated 5W-30 motor oil designed specifically for GM LS-based engines. The LS30 oil features mPAO synthetic base oil technology that increases High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) bearing oil film thickness, so the oil flows like a 5W-30 but protects like a 15W-40.
This innovative technology enables LS30 to provide the required viscosity for the LS oiling system and deliver the added protection required for higher lift cams and hydraulic roller lifters.
This two-step lubrication process provides the proper viscosity and additive chemistry for the unique requirements of modified GM LS engines with hydraulic roller valve trains. Properly completing this sequence of steps utilizing both the Driven BR30 Break-In Oil and LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil will establish the proper anti-wear film in the engine, remove harmful break-in particles and provide excellent ring sealing.

This entry was posted in Tech Bulletins on April 5, 2010 by admin.
' Now just because everyone and GOD recommend their product that make or use any part ever in the racing or automotive industries if you go to their website.... you may want to believe the local mechanic who knows even if he is wrong its roller and it wont fail for a long time down the road and so screw it..... You may want to believe BO because, well he has nothing vested in keeping your car operative, I simply share info and if it helps someone and they make the smart choice and safe choice so be it.....

But my cam I ran in my first engine just a regular old comp cam Bumpstick was in perfect condition after 10k when taken out, and that's back when people were complaining right and left they got a bad cam the lifters failed the gremlins added butt fuel to their oil and made the pock marks on their bumpstick and they should have had a 8620 core which now is everywhere before..nowhere..........

But hey you can do what ever you want to do........ or .....

http://admin.compperformance.com/new.../testimonials/

Performance Parts Manufacturers Recommend Driven Racing Oil
Driven Racing Oil is endorsed and recommended by some of*the most respected manufacturers in the performance business. If these companies all agree on Driven Racing Oil, don’t you think it’s also the best choice for your engine?
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Engine Pro
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Roltec Trasmissions
Scat Crankshafts
Schnieder Cams
T&D Machine
Total Seal Piston Rings
Turn One Power Steering

Just some of the fools along with me........... And if you don't realize it or not you are breaking in the cam the minute you start the engine after its installed!

[one~Bad~SS]

Thanks all for the responses. I used some cheaper oil for the first few hundred miles then went back to mobil 1 and no problems at all. Damn does it run like a monster!

[Bo White]

Camswap ftw

[christianchevell]

Hopefully the cheaper oil was high ZDDP and established a good base.....

[Olddudesrule]

Christian, we get that you're a proponent of break-in oil, but what you posted was written by Joe Gibbs Racing, and not GM. GM engineers don't recommend break in oils for their roller cam motors. I certainly don't see the harm in doing it, but to claim it's necessary is not true......like many things on automotive forums, there's a mix of personal experience, professional experience, and plain old third party knowledge....

[christianchevell]

Gm engineers don't take their 426 hp engine and cam it until its 600 rwhp either then ignore other hot rodding related knowledge.....But by god change a bolt and they know it and void the warranty faster than..............