Cam/lifter life - flat vs roller?

[601HP]

Originally Posted by olddog

I'm just a guy who reads and fantasizes about engines. I did build a few many years ago, but an expert I am not. That said I have an opinion.

Flow through the engine is what makes power. The heads, intake, exhaust is where most of the flow comes from. The better these components are the less aggressive the cam profile needs to be. I would put my money in the heads and intake to get the power I wanted, and stay with a nice hydraulic roller that lasts and lasts and does not have to have the valves adjusted all the time.

To me a solid roller cam is for an engine that is raced and needs every last fraction of power. These engines get pulled down frequently and checked, so longevity is not an issue.

They can be ran on the street, but why go to all this trouble when it just isn't necessary? On the street, who can tell the difference between 500 hp and 550 hp by the seat of their pants?

I like your summary olddog. If I had built and driven in like manner, I'd have gone into my engine far fewer times and tossed less $'s toward it. But......I switched to a solid roller cam about 15 years ago. I like pushing this car's engine toward its limits. I kinda look forward to the occasional under valve cover inspections and adjustments.

In contrast, my daily driver is a Toyots Yaris. Its a predictable little car that requires minimum attention. I rarely see the tach above 3,000 rpm.

David