Please help with Source for ( Updated MDS Lifters ) Purchase and Advice

[Bill Cats]

I own a good running 2016 Ram 1500 Tradesman ( all stock ) with 103k miles -

This truck runs perfect , no codes, no issues other than I have 2 exhaust studs broke -
After reading much about the truck I have made a decision to pull the heads and :

1 - Replace all Valve Seats , guides, seals, get them checked and cleaned
( The machinist is local and really familiar with the valve seat issue )

2 - remove and replace all exhaust studs -

3 - Replace all lifters -
I wish to retain the MDS system so I am NOT messing with the cam -
( it is my understanding I must change Cam IF I want to use non MDS or any after market lifters - Please verify that assumption is true ) ...?

Question: with that said I want to know what my options are for MDS lifters ........????

CONCERN :
I understand tat there has been an MDS lifter UPGRADE and I wish to get the updated lifters:
- Is there any after market options for MDS lifters that are higher quality...?
- If so please supply source IF you have it.
- Is there any way for me to verify that I am getting the " most current " lifters offered from RAM with QA upgrades,,,?

- I am open to any general advice ))

Thanks

 

[Brandon-w]

Honestly that seems like alot of work to go through on something that there's nothing wrong with. I myself would start with a cylinder leak down test and if you don't lose a lot of pressure I wouldn't see any logical reason to pull the heads. To me that's like changing your tires because you broke a wheel stud.
If there was a lifter problem developing with your unit I'd say go in there for sure but on a stock unit that's not tuned up and not giving you issues youd just be throwing money out the window. Save the money you would Have used on a head lifter swap and put some headers on it so you don't get any more broken bolts.

Just my 2¢ tho.

 

[Burla]

Honestly that seems like alot of work to go through on something that there's nothing wrong with. I myself would start with a cylinder leak down test and if you don't lose a lot of pressure I wouldn't see any logical reason to pull the heads. To me that's like changing your tires because you broke a wheel stud.
If there was a lifter problem developing with your unit I'd say go in there for sure but on a stock unit that's not tuned up and not giving you issues youd just be throwing money out the window. Save the money you would Have used on a head lifter swap and put some headers on it so you don't get any more broken bolts.

Just my 2¢ tho.

no offense man but I'm with this guy, if it aint broke...

 

[Jeffjttilesetters]

Have to agree but to each their own. I know I watched a video recently on YouTube And I believe that used hellcat lifters. There is a ton of videos if you just research lifter issues with the dodge ram.
Look up Gen 3 hemi camshaft tips and installation by modern muscle performance.
Great video and very detailed. Good luck

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[smurfs_of_war]

no offense man but I'm with this guy, if it aint broke...

Yeah, a lifter and cam issue may never surface. Lots of money to spend for something that likely won't ever happen.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[Bill Cats]

Deeply appreciate the advice :
I will follow it and go for the exhaust studs when summer comes on the truck,,,
BUT will lift the valve covers and be sure there is NO play developing on any of the rocker arms JUST to 100%
verify my tick when warm up first 10 seconds or so ON the same side as the broken studs IS in FACT a exhaust leak........ ( sound right ...? )

Follow-up - I really hate researching at midnight when there IS something broken,,,,, sooooo
what is the consensus on MDS lifters - I see them on eBay / Amazon for like 500 bucks with a gasket kit....
1- Is there ONLY OEM RAM MDS lifters...?
2- If there are NON OEM MDS lifters is their a " reputable source for NON OEM MDS lifters....???
3- IF there is no such animal as a NON RAM OEM MDS lifter is the a reputable source for the RAM MDS lifters OTHER than dealer....?

Thanks again

 

[Brandon-w]

I can't say I've ever seen non oem mds lifters. Non mds lifters you can go with Texas speed (what I did) or go with a hellcat lifter.

 

[ChevySlayer69]

I own a good running 2016 Ram 1500 Tradesman ( all stock ) with 103k miles -

This truck runs perfect , no codes, no issues other than I have 2 exhaust studs broke -
After reading much about the truck I have made a decision to pull the heads and :

1 - Replace all Valve Seats , guides, seals, get them checked and cleaned
( The machinist is local and really familiar with the valve seat issue )

2 - remove and replace all exhaust studs -

3 - Replace all lifters -
I wish to retain the MDS system so I am NOT messing with the cam -
( it is my understanding I must change Cam IF I want to use non MDS or any after market lifters - Please verify that assumption is true ) ...?

Question: with that said I want to know what my options are for MDS lifters ........????

CONCERN :
I understand tat there has been an MDS lifter UPGRADE and I wish to get the updated lifters:
- Is there any after market options for MDS lifters that are higher quality...?
- If so please supply source IF you have it.
- Is there any way for me to verify that I am getting the " most current " lifters offered from RAM with QA upgrades,,,?

- I am open to any general advice ))

Thanks

There is no valve seat issue, so leave that alone (it's a 3rd gen issue), but I do think replacing the lifters is a good idea.

 

[Bill Cats]

There is no valve seat issue, so leave that alone (it's a 3rd gen issue), but I do think replacing the lifters is a good idea.

- THANK you for that info - !!! -
so what are you thoughts on these sources like amazon that show s set of " OEM Part Number - bla bla _ with head gastets for like 600 dollars -..??
also is head bolts a must when disassembled...?

 

[Wild one]

- THANK you for that info - !!! -
so what are you thoughts on these sources like amazon that show s set of " OEM Part Number - bla bla _ with head gastets for like 600 dollars -..??
also is head bolts a must when disassembled...?

You need new head bolts,as they are a torque to yield head bolt and shouldn't be re-used. Just for the record the majority of hemi engines don't chew up the cam,that's not saying yours won't,but I think if I were you,i'd wait and see if you do have issues before spending money ,plus it's a bunch of labour ( ie: cost) to replace the lifters unless you're doing it yourself.
Read through Kurtis's thread on swapping cams,even if you don't replace the cam at the same time,it has a few tips on pulling the heads that should help you.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-4th-gen-hemi-cam-installation.82531/

 

[Bill Cats]

You need new head bolts,as they are a torque to yield head bolt and shouldn't be re-used. Just for the record the majority of hemi engines don't chew up the cam,that's not saying yours won't,but I think if I were you,i'd wait and see if you do have issues before spending money ,plus it's a bunch of labour ( ie: cost) to replace the lifters unless you're doing it yourself.
Read through Kurtis's thread on swapping cams,even if you don't replace the cam at the same time,it has a few tips on pulling the heads that should help you.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-4th-gen-hemi-cam-installation.82531/

will do ,,, and thank you for the link

 

[Crazy Horse]

When searching for MDS lifters it seems like all that's out there is chinese made. I refuse to support that country in any way if I can help it. Looks like being forced into deleting MDS to get a decent set of lifters. Wouldn't be surprised if even oem are chinese made.

 

[Lyle Longboat]

I’d look away from Putting anything “Ebay/Amazon” inside your engine. Outside of it, take a shot. Just a word of caution.

 

[huntergreen]

The only way I would be replacing lifters aNd such, without having an issue, is if I was building up an engine for more speed which would also involve upgrading the cam.