Running sweet after AFM delete

[robgreg75]

268K miles on my 2010 with the AFM active and I even programmed it with my HP tuners to run as a 4cyl more changing the parameters and increasing the power in 4cyl mode and also change the shifting to higher speed per gear to run as a 4cyl more. Use Mobil 1 5-30 oil and it doesn't even need oil added between changes it might use 1/2 quart by the time the DIC says 25% life left, which is usually when I change it.

 

[Ivanhoe]

Update

500km done and still running fine and oil change done. Looked pretty dark for oil that was a week old, will cut filter open to see if any bits are in there. New filter and synthetic oil ( Mobil1) to keep things rolling smooth

 

[tssetmr]

I didn’t see any mention tuning having been done. If you know of a tuner in your area that is good with LS powertrains you might be surprised as to what can be pulled out of it.
Last week I too did a DOD/AFM delete on a 2012 suburban. Used a Gen 3 cam though. Went old school for reliability. Custom tune afterwards and holy cow! It barks the tires nicely at the 1-2 shift! I too had problems with cylinder 4 lifters. Could not for the life of me figure it out. I even worked with experts in the LS platform. Nobody could figure it out. So I did the logical thing and deleted it all. Glad to hear yours is running great now too!

 

[Chickensandwich]

I just got a 2018 PPV. I fear lifter failure. I had a 2008 suburban and a 2015 Tahoe, both had the SAME lifter failure. The suburban was civilian, the 2015 was a PPV. GM has an issue with their 5.3l engines and refuse to acknowledge it. I hope this issue doesn’t show its ugly head in this truck, or I’m swearing off GM for life.

 

[wjburken]

Hello folks,

I finally got around to fixing my 5.3 2012 tahoe and got rid of afm, it's now running smooth and no faults.
I used a kit from Texas speed along with oil pump and timing chain for long term piece of mind.
I had help from retired mechanic relative who supervised my spannering. There were a few issues such as a nest for some creature under the intake. I had some unexpected repairs to make once we started digging around underneath.
I decided if I was going in deep I may as well do the chain and oil pump. I was tempted to get some more power but kept it stock to avoid dramas.

I kept the VVT as I used a L96 cam ( from a 6.0) which works without DOD.

Dropped the diff out as a seal had gone which made oil pan removal easier. I purchased an LS Oil Pump Pickup Girdle for the oil pump which worked really well and used 2 bolts rather than one that gm had.

Camshaft was well chewed and roller wheel was scored but not sure what was wrong with it and it appeared ok.

If I had to do it again, I would take engine out for speed and ease of access. It was done on axle stands in a small garage which not ideal but can be done.View attachment 371090View attachment 371094

Good job!

I had a similar cam/lifter failure on our 2007 Denali with the 6.2 (NON-AFM). The #5 intake roller looks to have locked up and scrubbed through the hard candy shell of the lobe into the soft nuggetty center.

I too did this in the garage with the motor in place.

 

[Ivanhoe]

I didn’t see any mention tuning having been done. If you know of a tuner in your area that is good with LS powertrains you might be surprised as to what can be pulled out of it.
Last week I too did a DOD/AFM delete on a 2012 suburban. Used a Gen 3 cam though. Went old school for reliability. Custom tune afterwards and holy cow! It barks the tires nicely at the 1-2 shift! I too had problems with cylinder 4 lifters. Could not for the life of me figure it out. I even worked with experts in the LS platform. Nobody could figure it out. So I did the logical thing and deleted it all. Glad to hear yours is running great now too!

Got AFM programmed out prior to strip down, there's a local GM specialist shop who recommended it as I could start up etc when built. I should probably take it back and fine tuned.

 

[Ivanhoe]

I just got a 2018 PPV. I fear lifter failure. I had a 2008 suburban and a 2015 Tahoe, both had the SAME lifter failure. The suburban was civilian, the 2015 was a PPV. GM has an issue with their 5.3l engines and refuse to acknowledge it. I hope this issue doesn’t show its ugly head in this truck, or I’m swearing off GM for life.

I got to 260000kms (160000 miles) before it appeared, PPV are usually well maintained despite the miles/hours run. This tahoe had 200000km when I bought it so I don't know how well it was maintained. I make sure now when it goes through oil changes its synthetic (more cost) to help preserve it

 

[Chickensandwich]

I got to 260000kms (160000 miles) before it appeared, PPV are usually well maintained despite the miles/hours run. This tahoe had 200000km when I bought it so I don't know how well it was maintained. I make sure now when it goes through oil changes its synthetic (more cost) to help preserve it

My last oil change with my fire was $75! I told them I only want the oil changed, not the entire engine! In this current world, I think it’s cheaper to swap the engine than go to synthetic oil changes.

 

[Ivanhoe]

Yeah Not cheap but Less oil consumption with afm deleted Hopefully so not topping up

 

[bsmith901]

Hi OP, I appreciate your post of your DOD delete. Hows the idle quality and low end torque with the L96 cam? I’m planning on a DOD delete for my 2007 Yukon XL 5.3 w/flex fuel and saw reference to that cam for keeping VVT and maybe for a slight performance increase. Also did you get your heads worked and/or upgrade the valve springs. Same with timing gear & chain. With 180k miles I’m thinking of doing that as well while they are off. It seems like these engines last forever other that the DOD components so I don’t want to over do things if not necessary.