2013 AFM Failure -> Delete Kit advice

[MagicMike]

My 2013 Tahoe, 5.3L, has the AFM Lifter failure (Cylinder #3, P300 and intermittent P303 errors from the OBDII). On top of the noise, the transmission is shifting hard now. Took it to shop and they confirmed the issues.

I'm going to go the AFM delete route and get it back up and running (non-AFM lifters, CAM swap, new tune deleting AFM). Is there any advice on Delete kits? Any experience?

I've looked at Texas Speed (TSP), AMS Racing and Scoggins-Dickey (SDPC). So far, it would appear the AMS kit is the most complete, seeing as though it includes a tuner.

Complete AFM DOD Delete Disable Kit with Tuner for 2007-2013 GM Chevrolet 5.3L Truck SUV Engines

Pricing Update! Due to manufacturer price inflation, our AFM kits will be increasing in Jan 2025. This kit includes everything needed to delete AFM/DOD (Active Fuel Management) from 2007 - 2013 GM 5.3L truck/suv engines. Kit includes a Diablosport Handheld tuner capable of turning off AFM/DOD...

www.amsracing.net

Appreciate the help, advice and/or warnings.

 

[swathdiver]

Not a fan of any kits. They all use camshafts smaller than the one you are taking out, this one is no exception.

I would stick with GM OE or well known companies like ARP and Fel-Pro and Melling, etc.

As for the camshaft, it is ground to work with VVT, which your truck has, and you can be back up and running quickly with that kit.

If you have more time and budget, consider a different camshaft using VVT or delete it and run a Truck Norris or Truck Torque camshaft. You'll need a proper tune to dial those cams in.

 

[91RS]

Cylinder 3 isn't an AFM cylinder.

Gwatney Performance has a great selection of OEM parts and they also offer some mild VVT cams if you want to get a little more power while you're in there.

 

[Ivanhoe]

Just used a texas speed kit which has worked very well. Used a GM L96 cam in my 5.3 which works for vvt and non dod.

 

[robgreg75]

How many miles? You can reset the tranny to not shift so hard, basically a relearn. I rebuilt mine (at 192,000 miles after a torque converter lock fail) 76,000 miles ago and used on of the mod kits for the 6L80 and it shifts perfectly ever since I haven't had to do any tranny relearns again. It works better than it did new.

 

[TollKeeper]

Having done it recently.. Unless your cam is wiped, dont do the kit. Just replace the lifters with DOD lifters, do the VLOM plug/mod, and get it tuned out.

I have yet to see any failures from people that have just tuned them out.

 

[MagicMike]

UPDATE: AMS Racing kit was purchased and had a Mechanic install it. No issues in the swap, running just fine now. Mechanic said the tune requires 91 Octane, which I'm a little suspicious of. Since I didn't put the tune in myself I'll probably adhere to this for a bit to ensure no issues. Eventually I'll see about playing with it and see if I can get it lower in Octane.

 

[91RS]

If he said it is now tuned for 91 then you need to run 91.

 

[MagicMike]

UPDATE: Forgot to comment on the shifting: That's gone. Having read through a few things here and on some other sites, I thought it was linked to the large number of misfires. I think that may have been what it was, but, I don't know definitively.

Additionally, the Stabilitrak and Traction Control service lights/warning did come on. That was corrected thanks to a fuse they pulled to prime the fuel pump. No issues since.

 

[Meccanoble]

Just curious why people not a fan of AFM delete software/flash. I have had it for 100k miles. Its cheaper, simpler. What is the reason to NOT go this route?