Plugs dirty after 800 miles

[bdbull]

So just wanted to update this thread with my progress (or not progress).

Truck has been running great since I got the lifter unstuck. I would almost say it's been running better than it has in years. However, I still wanted to get the parts swapped out so it is a full AFM delete engine. Dropped it off at the shop yesterday to have the work done with the Texas Speed kit that I ordered. They just called me with the estimate: $4000!!! I was not expecting it to be that much. I obviously haven't done the work myself, but I've watched it done a number of times on Youtube and I was not expecting that. I almost did it myself originally, but I'm hesitant on the cam work since I've never touched that before. But now, I may be doing it myself. I told him to just cancel it because I wasn't expecting that. Guess I'll be doing some major Youtube watching so I can figure out how to do it myself at some point.

 

[Geotrash]

So just wanted to update this thread with my progress (or not progress).

Truck has been running great since I got the lifter unstuck. I would almost say it's been running better than it has in years. However, I still wanted to get the parts swapped out so it is a full AFM delete engine. Dropped it off at the shop yesterday to have the work done with the Texas Speed kit that I ordered. They just called me with the estimate: $4000!!! I was not expecting it to be that much. I obviously haven't done the work myself, but I've watched it done a number of times on Youtube and I was not expecting that. I almost did it myself originally, but I'm hesitant on the cam work since I've never touched that before. But now, I may be doing it myself. I told him to just cancel it because I wasn't expecting that. Guess I'll be doing some major Youtube watching so I can figure out how to do it myself at some point.

If I did it myself, you can too. I don't have a fancy lift, but I do have good jack stands, a garage, and a decent set of tools. I also enjoyed the work and knowing that the job was being done right. Good thing because I had to do it 3 times due to bad lifter trays (cheap knock-offs sold to me as new OEM by a reputable cam manufacturer) that I didn't figure out until after the 2nd cam failed.

If you decide to tackle it, you'll get good support here.

 

[bdbull]

If I did it myself, you can too. I don't have a fancy lift, but I do have good jack stands, a garage, and a decent set of tools. I also enjoyed the work and knowing that the job was being done right. Good thing because I had to do it 3 times due to bad lifter trays (cheap knock-offs sold to me as new OEM by a reputable cam manufacturer) that I didn't figure out until after the 2nd cam failed.

If you decide to tackle it, you'll get good support here.

Did you use a manual to do it? Youtube? How long did it take you? Did you have to drop the oil pan? I replaced the oil pan gasket myself a few months ago and that was not a fun job. Nearly lost several fingers when the front diff dropped off the transmission jack I was using to get it back in. I feel like I could do it myself, but I'm afraid of Murphy's Law.

 

[Geotrash]

Did you use a manual to do it? Youtube? How long did it take you? Did you have to drop the oil pan? I replaced the oil pan gasket myself a few months ago and that was not a fun job. Nearly lost several fingers when the front diff dropped off the transmission jack I was using to get it back in. I feel like I could do it myself, but I'm afraid of Murphy's Law.

I used a combination of the Haynes manual, alldatadiy, YouTube videos for specific things like changing the oil pump, and advice from people here. You can do the cam and lifter swap in a weekend if you don’t have to replace the oil pump. I dropped the oil pan but you don’t need to if not replacing the oil pump. Here is the capstone post from my thread:
Post in thread '2012 Yukon XL Denali 6.2L Cam Swap Thread'
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...nali-6-2l-cam-swap-thread.121671/post-1616690

 

[FasterBass]

Question for @bdbull was your idle pre-getting-lifter-unstuck bad whether the truck was warmed up or not? Had similar looking plugs when I changed mine, and only my hot idle is a bit lumpy.

 

[bdbull]

Question for @bdbull was your idle pre-getting-lifter-unstuck bad whether the truck was warmed up or not? Had similar looking plugs when I changed mine, and only my hot idle is a bit lumpy.

Not sure if by "pre-getting-lifter-unstuck" you mean when the lifter was actually stuck or before it even got stuck. Before it got stuck, it was a rough idle all the time no matter how warm the engine was, and it was that way for a long time. Once the lifter got stuck, I didn't drive it at all bc the dash was lit up like a Christmas tree and it sounded horrible. Only drove it the few miles back to my house from where it got stuck, and then it sat in the garage for 3 weeks while I tinkered on it.
Since getting the lifter unstuck, it purrs like a damn kitten. But keep in mind, I also had the AFM deleted from the computer and did the VLOM mod recommended by CrazedPerformanceRepair on Youtube. Really starting to think the AFM might have been the root cause of the rough idle to begin with.

 

[FasterBass]

@bdbull thanks for the reply. I have already deleted AFM through Blackbear and had not heard of VLOM. Will take a look - I certainly don't have a TERRIBLE idle but ocd is kicking in and want it to be correct.