If you're knee-deep in an engine build, you've probably seen these pop up in your search, so I figured I'd put together this ams racing v2 lifters review based on my actual experience with them. Let's be real for a second: picking lifters is one of the most stressful parts of a performance build. It's a "bury them deep" part. If they fail, you're not just out a few hundred bucks; you're potentially looking at a trashed cam or a full engine teardown.
I've been through my fair share of lifter issues over the years—the dreaded "sewing machine" tick, the high-RPM float, and once, a catastrophic needle bearing failure that I still have nightmares about. So, when it came time to refresh the top end on my latest project, I wanted something that wouldn't break the bank like some of the ultra-high-end racing brands but offered more peace of mind than the standard bulk-buy replacements you find on eBay.
Why I Swapped to the V2s
The main reason I even looked at the AMS Racing V2s was that I was tired of the inconsistency in the "standard" LS lifter market. It feels like every year, the quality of the basic Delphi or LS7 lifters fluctuates. Sometimes they're great; sometimes they bleed down faster than a punctured tire.
AMS Racing marketed these V2s as an upgrade over the standard versions, specifically focusing on better internal valving and more consistent oiling. For a street/strip car that sees a lot of heat and the occasional 6,500 RPM pull, that sounded like exactly what I needed. I wasn't building a 1,000-horsepower monster, but I wanted something that could handle a decent cam profile without complaining every time I started the car on a cold morning.
First Impressions Out of the Box
When the package arrived, the first thing I noticed was the packaging itself. It sounds silly, but when a company actually secures the lifters so they aren't banging against each other during shipping, it's a good sign.
Taking them out, the finish on the AMS Racing V2 lifters looked surprisingly high-quality. The machining was crisp, there were no visible burrs or rough edges, and the rollers felt incredibly smooth. I've held some budget lifters where the roller had a tiny bit of "grit" to it right out of the box—that's an immediate return for me. These, however, spun freely and felt solid.
One thing to note is that these are often sold as a "drop-in" performance upgrade. They look very similar to the LS7-style lifters most of us are used to, which is great because it means you don't necessarily need to go down the rabbit hole of custom length pushrods unless you've also milled your heads or changed your base circle significantly.
The Installation Process
I'll give you a bit of advice that I follow for every lifter install: don't just soak them in a bucket of oil for five minutes and call it a day. For this ams racing v2 lifters review, I wanted to make sure I did everything by the book to give them a fair shake.
I cleaned them off with some brake clean first to get rid of any shipping oil or residue, then I let them soak in a clean bath of the same 5W-30 I run in the car. Some people say you should "pump them up" manually, but others argue that can lead to a valve staying open during the first start. I opted for the "soak and rotate" method, ensuring the rollers were well-lubricated.
Sliding them into the lifter trays (I used new trays because, seriously, why wouldn't you?) was smooth. They fit snugly but moved freely within the bores. If you find your lifters are sticking in the trays or the block, you've got bigger problems than just choosing the right brand.
How Do They Sound? (The Cold Start Test)
This is the big one. We all hate that "tick-tick-tick" that lasts for three minutes after a cold start. After getting everything buttoned up and primed, I held my breath and turned the key.
I was honestly impressed. After the initial few seconds of the oil system reaching full pressure, the valvetrain went quiet. No weird clatter, no clicking, just the mechanical hum of the engine. Even after letting the car sit for three days and starting it back up in 40-degree weather, the V2 lifters stayed quiet.
This tells me the internal check valve is doing its job and holding oil pressure better than the high-mileage units I pulled out. It's a small victory, but it's the kind of thing that makes a car feel "new" again.
Street Performance and High RPMs
I've put about 1,500 miles on these lifters so far, including a few spirited weekend drives and a handful of trips to the local drag strip.
On the street, you don't really "feel" lifters unless they're failing, but what I did notice was the lack of noise transition. Sometimes, as oil gets hot and thins out, cheap lifters start to get a bit chatty. I haven't heard a peep out of these. Even after a long highway cruise followed by a hot idle at a stoplight, the top end sounds stable.
As for the high-RPM stuff, I've pushed them to 6,600 RPM. In the past, I've had lifters that felt like they were "giving up" or floating slightly at the very top of the tach, but the AMS V2s seem to handle it without any drama. They feel consistent. You get a clean pull all the way through the powerband, which gives me a lot more confidence when I'm merging onto the highway or trying to beat a personal best at the track.
The Pros and Cons
Nothing is perfect, so let's break down the good and the "could be better" based on my time with them.
The Pros: * Stability: They hold oil pressure well and don't bleed down overnight. * Quiet: Dramatically reduced the valvetrain noise compared to my old stock units. * Price point: They sit in that "sweet spot" where you're getting a performance upgrade without spending $600+ on a set of linked lifters. * Build Quality: The V2 revisions seem to have addressed some of the QC issues people whispered about with older versions.
The Cons: * Availability: Sometimes these can be hard to find in stock because they're a popular "middle ground" option. * Not for Extreme Builds: If you're building a 1,500-HP twin-turbo setup revving to 8,500 RPM, you probably shouldn't be looking at drop-in hydraulic lifters anyway. Know your limits.
Are They Worth It?
The bottom line of this ams racing v2 lifters review is pretty simple: if you're doing a Cam swap or a head refresh on a daily driver or a weekend warrior, these are a fantastic choice.
They aren't "magic" parts that will add 50 horsepower, but they are reliable "insurance" parts. They do exactly what a lifter is supposed to do—transfer motion quietly and efficiently without causing a headache. For the price, it's hard to find a reason to stick with generic stock replacements when these are an option.
Final Thoughts
It's easy to get caught up in the "brand name" wars on car forums. Everyone has an opinion, and usually, that opinion is based on something they heard from a guy who heard it from another guy. But from my perspective, actually turning the wrenches and hearing the engine run, the AMS Racing V2 lifters have earned my trust for this build.
If you're on the fence, just make sure you're buying from a reputable vendor to ensure you're getting the actual V2 units. And please, for the love of your engine, check your pushrod length during the install. No lifter in the world can save you from a bad setup or incorrect preload.
Overall, I'm happy with the purchase. The car runs great, it's quiet, and I don't have to worry about the valvetrain screaming at me every time I go to the grocery store. If anything changes down the road, I'll be sure to update this, but for now, it's a solid thumbs up from me.