Solid tappet, Solid roller or Hydraulic roller?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
Solid tappet, Solid roller or Hydraulic roller?
Can you tell me the pro's and cons about these cams in an L-98 street engine (mine is 1988)? I am curious if a solid tappet or solid roller tappet cam will create problems with the knock sensor. Also, how do the weights of the solid tappets and solid roller tappets compare with the hydraulic roller tappet? I realize the solid roller profile can go a lot more radical than the hydraulic for more power, but that is not my question. My application will be in a daily driver 415 to 427 inch engine of around 450-500 hp.
I still need to make some of these decisions in configuring my new engine. I want to know where I am going before I get started. I like the convenience of the hydraulic roller, but I don't mind the occasional valve adjustments with a solid roller. And I do like hearing the "rattle" of the solid cam.
I still need to make some of these decisions in configuring my new engine. I want to know where I am going before I get started. I like the convenience of the hydraulic roller, but I don't mind the occasional valve adjustments with a solid roller. And I do like hearing the "rattle" of the solid cam.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I would imagine that a solid roller would be lighter than a hydraulic roller because it is less complicated. One sure fire way to know would be to call comp cams and ask them, afterall they make them.
As for the knock sensor if you set your lash correctly you'll be alright.
As for the knock sensor if you set your lash correctly you'll be alright.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
If the engine will regularly see 6000 rpms and higher, a solid is the way to go.
You won't have to deal with lifter pump up and the valve float it causes. In addition you can run better pressure that'll allow reliable high rpm operation. Too much spring pressure on a hydraulic lifter collaspes the lifter plunger. Solid roller lifters are lighter and cheaper, too.
With a solid cam, the limiting factor will no longer be how long the lifter can follow the cam lobe, but, instead shifts to the other valvetrain and bottom end components.
Rev it 'til it blows.
Jake
You won't have to deal with lifter pump up and the valve float it causes. In addition you can run better pressure that'll allow reliable high rpm operation. Too much spring pressure on a hydraulic lifter collaspes the lifter plunger. Solid roller lifters are lighter and cheaper, too.
With a solid cam, the limiting factor will no longer be how long the lifter can follow the cam lobe, but, instead shifts to the other valvetrain and bottom end components.
Rev it 'til it blows.
Jake
