Solid Roller Discussion
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Solid Roller Discussion
I'm debating going solid roller on my new LSX. To my knowledge the only real "drawback" is having to adjust them and potentially louder valvetrain. But I can't see what would cause the tolerances to change. I've been researching link bar lifters and there is so much contention about preload, small travel vs: regular, etc. There doesn't seem to be a good reliable set out there without breaking the bank. I kinda want to get rid of all that and the wondering about if I'm getting full valve lift and just do away with the hydraulic lifters all together. I already have Jesels (adjustable) so it seems like kind of a no brainer. Anyone have average HP differences for solid VS: hydraulic?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 30
From: dfw Texas
I'm debating going solid roller on my new LSX. To my knowledge the only real "drawback" is having to adjust them and potentially louder valvetrain. But I can't see what would cause the tolerances to change. I've been researching link bar lifters and there is so much contention about preload, small travel vs: regular, etc. There doesn't seem to be a good reliable set out there without breaking the bank. I kinda want to get rid of all that and the wondering about if I'm getting full valve lift and just do away with the hydraulic lifters all together. I already have Jesels (adjustable) so it seems like kind of a no brainer. Anyone have average HP differences for solid VS: hydraulic?
and im here with my off the shelf hydrolic cam thats 6 years old
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
I have a Solid roller in one of
My z06s.
It's huge. And I had to spend an extra 30mins adjusting the valves After I installed the motor and drove it a bit.
For a cam its size, it drives really well. Better than a big hydraulic.
It idles perfectly and is snappier and more responsive than anything else I have ever driven.
Also on top of all that it's ****ing quiet.
None of that chatter or sewing machine **** that a lot of ls motors have.
What part of town are you on?
I'll let you check out my car and you'll be surprised how tame the solid stuff is on a street car..
My z06s.
It's huge. And I had to spend an extra 30mins adjusting the valves After I installed the motor and drove it a bit.
For a cam its size, it drives really well. Better than a big hydraulic.
It idles perfectly and is snappier and more responsive than anything else I have ever driven.
Also on top of all that it's ****ing quiet.
None of that chatter or sewing machine **** that a lot of ls motors have.
What part of town are you on?
I'll let you check out my car and you'll be surprised how tame the solid stuff is on a street car..
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 7
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 88
From: Pearland Texas
Yeah limited travel is what I'd run on a car you drive as much as you do Bill, and what I was going to do when I had to buy those lifters the first time etc... It just so happened they were not limited travel like I was told etc... Same results basically but has at least some hydraulic action to limit how often you would have to adjust them. But I will say MOST solid roller cams will require quite a bit more spring pressure than you've been running so factor in new valve springs in your budget if you should decide to go that route. A mild set of solid roller springs are like 200lbs of seat pressure and 500 open for example. I'd take blackonblacksls up on his offer to check it out also just to see what he's talking about in person if he's here in Houston.
Last edited by inspector12; May 14, 2015 at 03:20 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
Supposedly any of the more mild solid rollers do not require much adjustment.
The best benefit of the cam motion stuff is that you can use your standard ls valve springs.
Like the lunati or btr or whatever else everyone can easily get a hold of and drop right in.
Good lifters are the same cost either way.
Rockers are the same
Cam is the same cost.
If you have aftermarket heads it is easy to go to a larger diameter that can handle whatever sized cam you want to throw at it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,002
Likes: 216
From: Houston Texas
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
What are the benefits of going with a solid lift camshaft? I understand that you can extend the rev limit of the engine and horsepower peak, but doesn't this only apply if you have an intake manifold that can supply the needed airflow for higher rpm power?
It seems like most forced induction LS corvettes with factory intakes are done at around 6500 rpm from a peak horsepower standpoint. What are the major limiting factors?
It seems like most forced induction LS corvettes with factory intakes are done at around 6500 rpm from a peak horsepower standpoint. What are the major limiting factors?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
What are the benefits of going with a solid lift camshaft? I understand that you can extend the rev limit of the engine and horsepower peak, but doesn't this only apply if you have an intake manifold that can supply the needed airflow for higher rpm power?
It seems like most forced induction LS corvettes with factory intakes are done at around 6500 rpm from a peak horsepower standpoint. What are the major limiting factors?
It seems like most forced induction LS corvettes with factory intakes are done at around 6500 rpm from a peak horsepower standpoint. What are the major limiting factors?
For a cam its size, it drives really well. Better than a big hydraulic.
It idles perfectly and is snappier and more responsive than anything else I have ever driven.
Also on top of all that it's ****ing quiet.
None of that chatter or sewing machine **** that a lot of ls motors have.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
From what I'm told. When you remove the inconsistency of a hydraulic lifter. That lack of inconsistency leads to benefits at all rpm ranges and throttle positions..
Few people even mentioned better gas mileage in cruising type races and situations
Few people even mentioned better gas mileage in cruising type races and situations
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 15
From: New Hartford IA
It's just going to be better control overall. If some of these newer low lash options are solid and can work with lower spring pressures I can't see much drawback for an enthusiast to run them. Now a matching manifold to bring some peak power back without cutting the hood would be nice if it were not $2k+
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I own 2 solid roller BBCs... I'm fully versed in solid roller stuff.... For something you drive a lot and idles a lot...lets just say a hyd roller is usually easier to live with.... Especially on a combo that is 7200 rpm or less in a LS platform.
You start eating lifters and pumping metal through the motor, you'll think about running a solid on a weekly driven car that gets a bunch of miles.
The adjustment of the rockers isn't ****.... Its the lifter maintenance that is the pain in the ***.... Especially having to pull heads on an LS to get the lifters out.
Last edited by ajrothm; May 16, 2015 at 05:36 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
I own 2 solid roller BBCs... I'm fully versed in solid roller stuff.... For something you drive a lot and idles a lot...lets just say a hyd roller is usually easier to live with.... Especially on a combo that is 7200 rpm or less in a LS platform.
You start eating lifters and pumping metal through the motor, you'll think about running a solid on a weekly driven car that gets a bunch of miles.
The adjustment of the rockers isn't ****.... Its the lifter maintenance that is the pain in the ***.... Especially having to pull heads on an LS to get the lifters out.
You start eating lifters and pumping metal through the motor, you'll think about running a solid on a weekly driven car that gets a bunch of miles.
The adjustment of the rockers isn't ****.... Its the lifter maintenance that is the pain in the ***.... Especially having to pull heads on an LS to get the lifters out.
Seems the majority of boosted ls motors are getting pulled fairly often anyways?
What's a new set of lifters to go along with the bearings and cranks and rods and Pistons you are buying anyways??
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I just don't see the benefit of a solid roller in a LS platform with its light valve train and straight push rod angles, IF you're gonna keep the RPMs to 7200-7300 or less.... Especially in a forced induction setup that makes plenty of power. Why add even MORE maintenance...?.
In an all motor, high rpm deal, solid roller is the way to go....Not that you'll be driving one that much on the street.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
It's funny that you say that. As I'm entering the freeway with high rpm solid roller car.
This is true also...however I don't want to pull a motor because of a lifter failure... I'd much rather pull a motor because I over powered a crank and flexed it...LOL (not really)... I hate pulling motors as well as heavy maintenance... Hence why I suggest a hyd roller...
I just don't see the benefit of a solid roller in a LS platform with its light valve train and straight push rod angles, IF you're gonna keep the RPMs to 7200-7300 or less.... Especially in a forced induction setup that makes plenty of power. Why add even MORE maintenance...?.
In an all motor, high rpm deal, solid roller is the way to go....Not that you'll be driving one that much on the street.
I just don't see the benefit of a solid roller in a LS platform with its light valve train and straight push rod angles, IF you're gonna keep the RPMs to 7200-7300 or less.... Especially in a forced induction setup that makes plenty of power. Why add even MORE maintenance...?.
In an all motor, high rpm deal, solid roller is the way to go....Not that you'll be driving one that much on the street.