I just got my 2015 1500 back after a failed #6 lifter caused a misfire due to the AFM garbage in these newer engines!
I was driving to town, noticed a flashing CEL and immediately pulled over.
I shut the truck off, scanned it, and couldn’t believe the Cyl 6 misfire code (man I was mad!!!)
My 2007 5.3L has been ticking for literally the last 200,000+KM . I was expecting it to go first, not this rig, as it has lower mileage (has about half the mileage of my 2007). While there was a little bit of lifter tick before the delete, there wasn’t enough to really make me concerned. The lifter just stuck one day. I tried an engine flush and oil change to no avail.
While I am a Chevy fan (obviously) - these newer trucks just aren’t built like they used to be…
About the only new truck that I would consider is a 6.6L 2500 without the AFM crap (but even then, my old 8.1L makes more useable power at a lower RPM… so what is the point?)
If you notice this on any newer GM vehicle - be sure to shut it off to avoid a stuck lifter wiping out the cam lobe.
If the lifter takes out the cam lobe you’ll put shavings in the engine and can blow it up quickly. If you are far away from home, a tow is cheaper than a new engine!!
I wasn’t too far away from home, so I just ended up limping it home and parking it. While there are “quick fixes” for this, I didn’t want to have to deal with any more lifter issues so I booked it into Auigbelle Performance for an AFM Delete.
We opted for the BTR AFM/DOD Delete and the faulty lifters were replaced. The AFM/DOD was deleted (good riddance to that crap) and Jake was very helpful @ AuigBelle.
A BTR Stage 2 cam was installed, with new .550 lift springs to accommodate the cam.
Player3 Performance tuned the truck, and I must say it is rowdy and finally reliable now!!
Being its a daily driver/occasional tow rig - I didn’t want to go higher than the Stage 2 cam. It’s on the list to put a converter in it, but for now I am just rocking the stock converter. You feel it occasionally at lights. You get used to it. Eventually I’ll throw a converter in it, and possibly some trans work. For now, I’ll just keep the 6L80 cool and plan to not tow over 6-8k.
We swapped the mufflers to MagnaFlow Magnapacks (video below of a cold start). Still some slight tuning issues as the Misfire monitor has to go up a little to avoid an infrequent CEL due to the cam @ idle but overall very happy so far!! I’ll need to throw an X-pipe in as well to equalize both banks.
Overall drivability is like night and day. I have put about 10,000KM on this setup now and it feels like day and night. Before, the stock LC9 felt gutless. Mostly tuning I am sure, however there didn’t seem to be much of a midrange. The pedal felt dead, and the very lack of mid-range isn’t what you want for a pickup truck.
I often tow a bit and haul trailers/material with the truck. Before, it felt like you had to pin the thing to go anywhere, or to pick up speed. Now, with the BTR Stage 2 and tune, it feels great throughout the mid-range.
I would highly recommend the BTR Parts and AuigBelle Performance for any performance work!!!