DOD delete on a budget?

[kipps]

Has anyone done this? I see kit prices from 1200 to 350. A quick search through rockauto and gmpartsdirect show it might be possible for well under 300.

Specifically, I'd be deleting a 2010 gen IV 5.3 LMG engine. I would intend to keep VVT.

Is my engine a single bolt or a three bolt cam? Is there any point replacing the lifters on the non-dod cylinders? Does the valley cover plate have to be replaced, or could it be reused in a non-dod application? I'm told that all the stock LS engines have the same camshaft grind. True or not?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[sprint_9]

I believe the cam is a single bolt. All LS engines do not have the same cam grind. You have to change the cam and pushrods when deleting DOD. Technically you could reuse the stock valley cover but its advised to change it to get a better design and remove the DOD solenoids. Your money ahead changing all the lifters at once too, you shouldn't run a new cam with old lifters, it's just not a good practice.

[CarlsLQ9SS]

The cam is a single bolt if its not been changed, and the cam profile is different from the dod cylinders to the non dod cylinders so you will have to change the cam. if you want to do it on the cheap, find a single bolt 4.8 cam or even a ls3 cam and change all the lifters. I have tapped the tower holes and plugged them and reused the cover with the solenoids to save some money. The vvt cam gear will have to be reused if you want to keep that.

[kipps]

I did some more looking, and the LMF engine does not have active fuel management. This is a 5.3 used in the 1500 chevy express vans, and is supposed to be a near duplicate of the LMG engine. Some sources say it was only in the AWD vans, but I'm not sure on that. Base trim is also a likely requirement for this engine.

The camshaft for the LMF is part # 12689035, and is available for $110 shipped from gmpartsdirect. I've heard horror stories of their shipping times. I could order it on rockauto instead, which would cost $10 more.

16 Melling jb2079 lifters, also for the LMF engine, come to $124 total on rockauto.

Assuming pushrods are straight.

Gaskets, including head gaskets, look to be around $80 to $100.

Lifter trays, GM # 12595365, are about $30 on Amazon for a set of four.

Any major red flags?

What happens if I install the 4.8 cam in the 5.3 motor? Will this increase bottom end torque without too much decrease in power? My goal is driveability on a manual transmission. Will do some towing, but just a good driveable vehicle is the goal. Of course, keeping a nearly stock cam(the LMF one I described above) would simplify tuning.

edit to add: I just realized I forgot the valley cover. Does the gen 3 cover do the job, or does it need to be a gen 4? What's involved in the tapping and plugging mentioned above? Can that be done without disassembling the engine any further, or are there going to be iron filings everywhere I don't want them?

It looks like I should be able to peel the gasket off the manifold/cover, and weld or braze the holes shut. Reinstall the gasket, and use the cover. Welding aluminum should be simple enough. It would negate the need to mess with the block side of things. Think it's possible to do this?

[kipps]

I did some more checking, and Texas speed offers a budget kit that includes that 12689035 cam. It includes 16 lifters, a new valley cover and gasket, timing cover gasket, head gasket and bolts, and a few other little pieces, for $390 shipped. I can't beat that price by buying individual bits on rockauto, so i ordered it.