Anybody running solid lifters?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Anybody running solid lifters?
I just had two lobes go flat on my cam, I am looking at a solid lifter cam, anybody here running a solid lifter cam?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Yup love it too!
Isky Crower and Morel make needless lifters now they are all bushed. most the failures are on BBC with heavy valvetrains/springs and that screwed up geometry its hard on a roller lifter
.
Get a billet core dont get a billet cam gear
Got a nice one sitting here with 60 mi on it collecting dust
ignore the wives tales about having to adjust them all the time blah blah.
Isky Crower and Morel make needless lifters now they are all bushed. most the failures are on BBC with heavy valvetrains/springs and that screwed up geometry its hard on a roller lifter
.
Get a billet core dont get a billet cam gear
Got a nice one sitting here with 60 mi on it collecting dust
ignore the wives tales about having to adjust them all the time blah blah.
Last edited by cv67; Sep 26, 2013 at 10:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
In all of my vehicles, whether they be race or street pounders, they have ALL had solids and I never ran a hydraulic. I just wasn't sure what the extra lifter noise would do to the knock sensor. Thanks for making my day. I have also always ran Lunati so I can't take you up on your offer, I already ordered.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
This one, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lu...13lk/overview/
I also got the pushrods to go with it. I have some shorter Comp Cam Magnums too so when I check for length I may be covered. I think I know what caused the cam to go flat, I have considerable wear on the timing gear/block surface so I also ordered a roller thrust washer to bring it back where it belongs.
I also got the pushrods to go with it. I have some shorter Comp Cam Magnums too so when I check for length I may be covered. I think I know what caused the cam to go flat, I have considerable wear on the timing gear/block surface so I also ordered a roller thrust washer to bring it back where it belongs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,481
Likes: 566
From: Clearwater Florida
..... With a flat tappet solid you'll need to use ZDDP fortified motor oil ... that's most likely what caused your cam to lose a couple of lobes ..... personally , if I were you I'd seriously consider a solid roller cam instead ... been running one street n strip for almost two years now ... I use Valvoline VR-1 racing oil with STP for extra insurance ...... Brad Penn oils have a good dose and there are some others .......
Last edited by C409; Sep 27, 2013 at 07:27 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
..... With a flat tappet solid you'll need to use ZDDP fortified motor oil ... that's most likely what caused your cam to lose a couple of lobes ..... personally , if I were you I'd seriously consider a solid roller cam instead ... been running one street n strip for almost two years now ... I use Valvoline VR-1 racing oil with STP for extra insurance ...... Brad Penn oils have a good dose and there are some others .......
Gotta use good oil for a flat tappet setup. I am running a roller cam but use Joe Gibbs oil which has a good dose of ZDDP.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
I run a solid flat tappet Isky z-20 cam with 228-228 @ .050 108 lsa and it is fairly mild like an 097 or comp 268 old school cam. Your 256-270 solid will act more like the old 30-30 cam and ifyou are running an automatic you will need more stall for sure. As stated you will definately need a tune. That cam has a ton of overlap even for a carbed 350 like I have and in my opinion is more of a strip cam and will be soggy off the line without gears and a stall.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
The only advantage I see to running a solid lifter cam is if a motor is going to be revved over 7000. If your intake setup can do that, then it makes sense. You're giving up reliability and the setup will require increased maintenance. The constant pounding of valvetrain parts is tough for a daily driver. If it is a strip car, that's another story.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The Lunati cam is just a tad bigger than the hydraulic that just got ruined so I really don't expect any problems. I am not running tpi, I have the Edelbrock Pro Flo XT with an 80mm LS style throttle body. I had already made up my mind to go to the Valvoline racing oil. Up until this I was using Mobil 1. The idea of going to solids was mine since solids or a solid roller are all I have ever ran for performance engines. I just don't like hydraulics, I'm too old school I guess. If I do run into a problem with tuning, I know my tuner will be able to handle it. And, before someone comes up with having trouble with the brakes, I already have a vacuum canister on the car.
I appreciate all the input here and plan on following most of it.
I appreciate all the input here and plan on following most of it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
A roller cam, either solid or hydraulic will be able to open and close the valves quicker giving more lift with less duration. That's free horsepower. With 1.6 rockers, I have over .625 lift with a 230 240 cam and rev to 6700 with a hydraulic roller setup.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Project C4 is right.
The lack of ZDDP (zinc) in modern oils leads to premature lobe failure with flat tappet cams. (proven fact)
The govt restricted zinc because it reduces the life of cats. (clogging)
Modern engines with roller lifters don't need the zinc anymore.
So a little online research reveals the "high mileage" oil blends have raised the zinc levels.
Or dump in a half pint of STP to recover the zinc without further worrys.
The lack of ZDDP (zinc) in modern oils leads to premature lobe failure with flat tappet cams. (proven fact)
The govt restricted zinc because it reduces the life of cats. (clogging)
Modern engines with roller lifters don't need the zinc anymore.
So a little online research reveals the "high mileage" oil blends have raised the zinc levels.
Or dump in a half pint of STP to recover the zinc without further worrys.