Chaplin,
We call "Limited Editions" (solid roller) and "Hardcores" (solid flat tap) street engines because they have 10.5 and 10.0 compressions respectively. This particular combination runs just under 11:1 but with 30 deg advance and A/F averages at mid-13 there's no hint of rattle on our 91 Octane Shell.
As for solids on the street, we've had not one warranty claim on our solid roller combinations and that's a two year warranty. The springs may need changing in "every day" street driving but we've not heard that feedback.
Further evidence is Bill's 33 Coupe, seen next to my car in my gallery. That has the very first 454 Motown (SBC) we built.(1998 I think) It's the first "Limited Edition" solid roller. That is a 4.25 x 4.00 engine at 10.5:1. Since it was built, Bill asked the shop guys to wire the secondaries on the 1050 shut so he could use it on the Americruises and HR Power Tour without scaring the $?!* out of Mrs Mitchell. He also only fuelled on 87 octane (34 deg advance) across the country to test his hunch that guys want to drive their stuff on the piss gas that most of the country has. That's it. No maintenance other than
oil. Goes about 2500 miles per year and comes to the shop most of the nice spring, summer, fall weather. Made 605 when built and the Coupe is 2650, like mine.
So my point is solid rollers can be lived with on the street but prudent checking and maintenance would be my M.O. (Unlike Bill-ride it hard-put away wet. It's still got Americruse dust on it).
And yes- we have a hydraulic roller option with similar valve events, so it can be had that way. HR's add about 35 HP to our flat tap builds so there may not be a big trade-off to this one.
Care to find out?