roller cams
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Roller cam in my rebuilt/upgraded 355 L-82 now and the ONLY way to go. I am SO GLAD i went roller for all the reasons already mentioned AND it will make at least 30 HP more than a flat tappet cam of similar spec.
My 01 Grand prix with 3.1 V6 and roller cam has 220,000 miles on it now and going strong. Does not burn an oz of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes........ZERO and I drive high speed consistently for extended periods of time, 80-85 MPH, with this V6 and 220,000 miles on the engine with the roller cam.....
My 01 Grand prix with 3.1 V6 and roller cam has 220,000 miles on it now and going strong. Does not burn an oz of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes........ZERO and I drive high speed consistently for extended periods of time, 80-85 MPH, with this V6 and 220,000 miles on the engine with the roller cam.....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Ever since we've devised a method to use any hyd-roller or mech-roller cams in most of 100% stock-appearing early SBC builds w/o the need for any cam buttons or any chasing cam end play we've done almost all (recently) using this method.
Makes assembling these units a virtual "walk-in-the-park" now, and most customers choose this method.
Makes assembling these units a virtual "walk-in-the-park" now, and most customers choose this method.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
Must be luck of the draw. 185k 5.3 and pretty sure I got a lifter going bad or losing a lobe; had an XFI280 laying around that went flat at 18k, many of the new Gen LSx cars losing GM lobes/lifters.
Flat tappets are always a good option for the guy who just doesnt have a lot to spend ordoesnt care about "all the power"
Flat tappets are always a good option for the guy who just doesnt have a lot to spend ordoesnt care about "all the power"
I simply can't make a solid argument that would suggest going a little bit cheaper for the flat tappet cam is ever "worth it".
I mean really there is saving a few unnecessarily spent extra dollars and then there is "cheap to a fault". A roller cam is very inexpensive HP and Reliability purchased, IMO.
Last edited by Krystal; Mar 3, 2019 at 08:29 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 963
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Howards Roller .525/.525 Lift, duration 219/225, LSA110 with AFR heads and10.2 compression in the 355. Makes BIG mid range torque and strong top end HP to 6,000 RPM with 1 3/4 long tube headers......
Chevrolet Small Block 305ci-350ci 1987-1998 Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
APPLICATION CAMSHAFTS
VALVE SETTING
RPM
OPERATING
RANGE
CAMSHAFT
PART NUMBER
LOBE
SEP.ANGLE
DURATION
VALVE LIFT @ 1.5:1
INTAKE CENTERLINE
ADV.
@ .050”
IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.
HYDRAULIC ROLLER: Fair idle, Performance Street, Nice streetable mid range power. 1800+ stall suggested.
Hyd
Hyd
1500-5600
181145-10
110°
272
278
219
225
.525
.525
106°
Chevrolet Small Block 305ci-350ci 1987-1998 Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
APPLICATION CAMSHAFTS
VALVE SETTING
RPM
OPERATING
RANGE
CAMSHAFT
PART NUMBER
LOBE
SEP.ANGLE
DURATION
VALVE LIFT @ 1.5:1
INTAKE CENTERLINE
ADV.
@ .050”
IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.
HYDRAULIC ROLLER: Fair idle, Performance Street, Nice streetable mid range power. 1800+ stall suggested.
Hyd
Hyd
1500-5600
181145-10
110°
272
278
219
225
.525
.525
106°
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 3, 2019 at 09:38 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
Now you're talking about something entirely different.
Not only is the conversion to EFI considerably more expensive as up date to modern tech......it's also not as stealth.
For the person who wants the car to remain period specific in it's appearance and how it works a roller cam gives them a chance to add performance and reliability without changing the over all experience of the car as it was originally built.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 39,344
Likes: 171
From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I regret cheaping out on my rebuild two years ago with flat tappet and iron heads and now I'm going with a roller cam and aluminum heads like I should have done to begin with.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 390
Likes: 50
From: wilmington Ma
Nope!
Now you're talking about something entirely different.
Not only is the conversion to EFI considerably more expensive as up date to modern tech......it's also not as stealth.
For the person who wants the car to remain period specific in it's appearance and how it works a roller cam gives them a chance to add performance and reliability without changing the over all experience of the car as it was originally built.
Now you're talking about something entirely different.
Not only is the conversion to EFI considerably more expensive as up date to modern tech......it's also not as stealth.
For the person who wants the car to remain period specific in it's appearance and how it works a roller cam gives them a chance to add performance and reliability without changing the over all experience of the car as it was originally built.
If the subject was "in keeping with stock apperance" are rollers better I would not mention FI although you could use a tbi style and hide it under a stock air cleaner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
This is the roller setup http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=4538 I'm using in my 454 w/trips.....when I had the short block rebuilt......the machine shop liked the choice and feels it will be just fine.....also the thought of no break-in was very appealing....anxious to get it fired-up soon....somewhat expensive...yes.....but worth it for piece of mind in the future....
Last edited by 74 LS4-454; Mar 3, 2019 at 05:35 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 487
Likes: 160
From: Two Lane Black Top
hydraulic roller cam over flat tappet.
It's a no contest hydraulic roller. It's better to save up the extra dollars and go roller cam even if someone is budget conscious. A car with a freshly rebuilt engine with a flat tappet cam strikes me a major negative.
I've ran a hydraulic roller cam 389,500+ miles in a 305 91 Camaro. It still ran great when pulled for a LS swap.
It's a no contest hydraulic roller. It's better to save up the extra dollars and go roller cam even if someone is budget conscious. A car with a freshly rebuilt engine with a flat tappet cam strikes me a major negative.
I've ran a hydraulic roller cam 389,500+ miles in a 305 91 Camaro. It still ran great when pulled for a LS swap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Likes: 275
From: Frederick MD
Must be luck of the draw. 185k 5.3 and pretty sure I got a lifter going bad or losing a lobe; had an XFI280 laying around that went flat at 18k, many of the new Gen LSx cars losing GM lobes/lifters.
Flat tappets are always a good option for the guy who just doesnt have a lot to spend or doesnt care about "all the power"
Flat tappets are always a good option for the guy who just doesnt have a lot to spend or doesnt care about "all the power"
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,093
Likes: 4,019
From: New Braunfels Texas
When I built my 406 it was get a hydraulic roller or get a new pair of heads......guess which one I did?
I know how to break in a flat tappet cam......and I knew that the cam I chose would break in well without issue as I had used that cam a dozen time dozen the years.
Also with the 3.750 stroke I did not want any cam to rod clearance issues and I have none with the FT.......but a roller I am sure would have hit.
It was a $500 question......my car runs fine and yours will too.......
Would it make more power with a HR? Probably.....but it makes so much power now that until tires and chassis are sorted, it is unable to use it.
Yes the HR is better overall.......every car you see on the road today has a roller follower in there somewhere be it OHC or OHV.......but before 1990...Chevorlet had
built about a billion engines with FT cams......and so did everyone else.
Your call.....but to me it is a money thing.
Jebby
I know how to break in a flat tappet cam......and I knew that the cam I chose would break in well without issue as I had used that cam a dozen time dozen the years.
Also with the 3.750 stroke I did not want any cam to rod clearance issues and I have none with the FT.......but a roller I am sure would have hit.
It was a $500 question......my car runs fine and yours will too.......
Would it make more power with a HR? Probably.....but it makes so much power now that until tires and chassis are sorted, it is unable to use it.
Yes the HR is better overall.......every car you see on the road today has a roller follower in there somewhere be it OHC or OHV.......but before 1990...Chevorlet had
built about a billion engines with FT cams......and so did everyone else.
Your call.....but to me it is a money thing.
Jebby
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
Roller cam in my rebuilt/upgraded 355 L-82 now and the ONLY way to go. I am SO GLAD i went roller for all the reasons already mentioned AND it will make at least 30 HP more than a flat tappet cam of similar spec.
My 01 Grand prix with 3.1 V6 and roller cam has 220,000 miles on it now and going strong. Does not burn an oz of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes........ZERO and I drive high speed consistently for extended periods of time, 80-85 MPH, with this V6 and 220,000 miles on the engine with the roller cam.....
My 01 Grand prix with 3.1 V6 and roller cam has 220,000 miles on it now and going strong. Does not burn an oz of oil between 5,000 mile oil changes........ZERO and I drive high speed consistently for extended periods of time, 80-85 MPH, with this V6 and 220,000 miles on the engine with the roller cam.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Howards Roller .525/.525 Lift, duration 219/225, LSA110 with AFR heads and10.2 compression in the 355. Makes BIG mid range torque and strong top end HP to 6,000 RPM with 1 3/4 long tube headers......
Chevrolet Small Block 305ci-350ci 1987-1998 Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
APPLICATION CAMSHAFTS
VALVE SETTING
RPM
OPERATING
RANGE
CAMSHAFT
PART NUMBER
LOBE
SEP.ANGLE
DURATION
VALVE LIFT @ 1.5:1
INTAKE CENTERLINE
ADV.
@ .050”
IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.
HYDRAULIC ROLLER: Fair idle, Performance Street, Nice streetable mid range power. 1800+ stall suggested.
Hyd
Hyd
1500-5600
181145-10
110°
272
278
219
225
.525
.525
106°
Chevrolet Small Block 305ci-350ci 1987-1998 Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
APPLICATION CAMSHAFTS
VALVE SETTING
RPM
OPERATING
RANGE
CAMSHAFT
PART NUMBER
LOBE
SEP.ANGLE
DURATION
VALVE LIFT @ 1.5:1
INTAKE CENTERLINE
ADV.
@ .050”
IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.IN.EX.
HYDRAULIC ROLLER: Fair idle, Performance Street, Nice streetable mid range power. 1800+ stall suggested.
Hyd
Hyd
1500-5600
181145-10
110°
272
278
219
225
.525
.525
106°
-edit-
also, isn't that pn 181145-10 shown to fit 1987 - up with OE roller cams ... same grind likely available for earlier (L82 )block but with another pn.
Last edited by jackson; Mar 4, 2019 at 10:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 963
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,299
Likes: 8,103
From: Napa Valley California
I dissagree with you sir , your the first post mentioning period specific or stock apperance if thats what you mean , most are just saying or pointing out that roller is superior hands down to flat tappet cams , I do agree but at the same time using a carb is the same thing old tec , FI is superior to carbs any type. Yes it cost more!
If the subject was "in keeping with stock apperance" are rollers better I would not mention FI although you could use a tbi style and hide it under a stock air cleaner.
If the subject was "in keeping with stock apperance" are rollers better I would not mention FI although you could use a tbi style and hide it under a stock air cleaner.
EFI is better in some aspects, but if you want more horsepower any engine builder will tell you and the dyno tests will show that a well tuned and set up carb will produce more torque and horsepower every time.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 390
Likes: 50
From: wilmington Ma
Start a new thread on this subject and you may find you could not be more wrong.
EFI is better in some aspects, but if you want more horsepower any engine builder will tell you and the dyno tests will show that a well tuned and set up carb will produce more torque and horsepower every time.
EFI is better in some aspects, but if you want more horsepower any engine builder will tell you and the dyno tests will show that a well tuned and set up carb will produce more torque and horsepower every time.
Some other interesting comments though for sure about the roller , that gives me something to think about if you can get 30hp by going roller ... I thought I saw a Edlebrock kit with alum heads , roller cam ect that looks like a good deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 91
We supply the tooling to set up these blocks and sell the kits with all the correct pieces to get it done. The one and only drawback is this procedure must be done when all the machining is being done, it cannot be machined "in the car" (at least I wouldn't try it).
The cam and lifter package (only) should be in the neighborhood of $650.00, give or take a few! We use both Morel's and Comp's rerto-hyd lifters, the Comp's are a bit more expensive but many of my own customers ask for these. I've had no issues using either brand so far!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. We stay with the "stepped-nose" cast core cams on most of our 100% stock-appearing builds, this allows for the use of the OEM fuel pump pushrods AND the OEM distributor gears. With this cam setup, our true-roller "Torrington" timing sets, and our modification to the blocks, we get .003"/.004" cam end-play every time. No "hassles" and absolutely no timing cover issues, the cover is no longer in play with the cam thrust-plate setup.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
I second on the Howards stuff! I have this in my 383 and it rocks!
https://www.howardscams.com/hydrauli...ms-cl110255-12
https://www.howardscams.com/hydrauli...ms-cl110255-12