[leejoy]

why wouldnt I run a roller cam (hydraulic) setup in my big block chevy? How come 9 out of 10 muscle cars on the street arent running roller cam setups. I also decided not to. Last winter I threw a Comp Camp Magnum Extreme hydraulic cam in my BB Chevy just because it was cheaper. Now I am wondering why I didnt spend the extra $500 and just go with a roller setup and get the extra 50-100 HP. Was I being stupid or did I make the right decision. Other than cost, what is the reason you don't see many roller cam setups for the street? I believe you can still use the same heads, push rods, intake, etc right?

Lee

[Siggy_Freud]

Two reasons. One being that factory blocks didn't accept roller cams until 1987. The other being the cost of setting up a retro fit system into a pre-87 block.

Also, dont expect and additional 50-100hp out of a roller cam setup. Given the same duration of the cam, the roller will provide a quicker opening ramp and more lift plus a reduction in friction which I'd guess would net you an additional 20hp.

Still, 500 bucks for 20hp isn't too bad. Others might vary on the increased HP figures. That is just my guess based on readings and threads posted here.

[leejoy]

Originally Posted by Siggy_Freud

Two reasons. One being that factory blocks didn't accept roller cams until 1987. The other being the cost of setting up a retro fit system into a pre-87 block.

Also, dont expect and additional 50-100hp out of a roller cam setup. Given the same duration of the cam, the roller will provide a quicker opening ramp and more lift plus a reduction in friction which I'd guess would net you an additional 20hp.

Still, 500 bucks for 20hp isn't too bad. Others might vary on the increased HP figures. That is just my guess based on readings and threads posted here.

what is it about the factory blocks that won't accept a roller cam. why not? Also, are you saying in a 454 I would only net gain about 20 HP running a roller cam? I thought it would be more than that.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Factory blocks (early) were not machined around the lifter bore area to accept the hydraulic lifter guides and taller lifters. About the only rollers that will economically fit are the solid rollers from the aftermkt.

[pepi]

roller cams!!! ........ higher/quicker revs, I spend the extra $$$ and smile all the way too and from the speed shop. Oh yes they sound magnificent , did I mention the sound?

[xntrik]

$500 more for a roller cam?

Extra cost of

camshaft price (manufacturer's material and machining expense, about 3 x the sale price of a flat tappet) which is usually a higher lift and more agressive ramps to gain the power.

Hydraulic roller lifters about 8 times the price of flat tappet hydraulics.

valve springs to support more agressive cam

spring retainers and keepers to stand the stronger springs

light weight/extra strong rocker arms to support more lift and the stronger springs (will they fit under the old valve covers?)

Head guide machining to support more lift, new seals, etc.
and maybe spring pocket machining to hold the heavier springs
7/16 studs are a must

custom length HD hardened pushrods to support stronger springs and adjust geometry

Piston machining to allow sufficient valve clearance

More frequent valve spring replacement due to the agressive cam profile.
More frequent rocker arm replacement due to fatigue.
Push rod replacement at the same time.



What else did I miss??????

[Fast 4 Door]

$ 500.00 ?? I have a mild retro-roller set up in my 400 and I Peeled out closer to $ 2000.00 . It is awesome though, money well spent. Yeah , the sound.

[techinspector1]

I think Howard's has the best price on retro rollers. I spec'd a DynoSim build a while ago and found the cam and hydraulic roller lifter kit at Summit for under 500 bucks.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110245/

[Fast 4 Door]

Like XNTRIK said, to do this properly , don't you need to do matching springs , rods,etc ? and hey, while we are talking about this, Without getting to far off base, and sorry if I am, But what it the story with this dist. gear? should I have used something other than stock w/ my roller? It is a comp -08

[bracketracer]

Im running a howards retro fit hydraulic roller, bought it back in october from competition products it was 499 camshaft and roller lifters. Have not had a bit of trouble love the sound. I will see what it runs this weekend at the drag strip its in my 1955 chevy 210 street strip car.

355 sbc
9.3 compression
RHS Heads proaction 180s 202 160 64cc
Howards hydraulic roller 242 248 @ 50 545 565 lift 110 lobe sep
summit 1.5 roller rockers
victor jr intake
650 holley
1 5/8 headers 3inch flow masters

TH350 4000stall

Ford 9inch 486 gears full spool

28X10.5 mickey thompson slicks.

Old combo with stock double humps and solid flat tappet went 1.67 60ft 12.35 108mph Hopefully it will improve from there.

[bracketracer]

Originally Posted by Fast 4 Door

Like XNTRIK said, to do this properly , don't you need to do matching springs , rods,etc ? and hey, while we are talking about this, Without getting to far off base, and sorry if I am, But what it the story with this dist. gear? should I have used something other than stock w/ my roller? It is a comp -08

Yes you have to run matched springs, and pushrods are different length, also with the distributor gear you only nead to run different gear if its a steel billet camshaft, most hydraulic rollers are cast.

[Fast 4 Door]

Thanks Bracketracer, I had seen a few threads that had me shakin in my boots. This was my first roller and It was a learning experience, Good thing my old man works in a machine shop.

[bracketracer]

This is my first roller cam setup aswell. Your welcome.

[Guy Hiltz]

Pushrods are not necessarily a different length,pushrod length checking tools are available.I have been using solid roller cams in my MK IV bbc for 9 years and still use stock length pushrods.And AFAIK,factory MK IV big blocks do not need a retro fit roller lifter,here;
Keep your valvetrain running smooth.
These High Energy hydraulic roller lifters are for use with the newly designed hydraulic roller cam series from COMP Cams, or as a performance replacement for stock hydraulic roller lifters. You must be certain that the lifter is correct for the type of block used.


Make CHEVROLET
Engine Type V8
Liter 7.4
CID 454
Engine Size 7.4L/454
Beginning Year 1970
Ending Year 1990
Engine Family Chevy big block Mark IV

Piston to valve clearance is determined by valve timing events and has nothing to do with roller or flat tappet.Newer profile street roller grinds will not affect the life span of correctly matched valvetrain components.

Guy

[cobalt327]

I believe Gen 6 engines were the beginning of OEM rollers in BBC. The lifter bosses were tall to accommodate the OEM lifters, and were machined flat for the retainer, similar to the SBC OEM roller set-up.

Retro-style link bar lifters can be used in the Gen 6 (w/consideration for the tall boss), but not Gen 6 OEM roller lifters in a Mk IV, AFAIK. I've not heard of a OEM roller "conversion kit" being offered for the Mk IV like there is for the '85-back SBC.

AFA Gen 5, they're out to lunch compared to a Gen 6. Or even a Mk IV, IMHO. They can be made to run fine, but there's many 'fixes' done to the Gen 6 that make the G6 a much better choice to me.