Solid, Hydraulic, Roller, Non-Roller... Pros and Cons

[macx]

One thing to consider - a flat tappet cam with stiff springs for hi rpm will wear very rapidly in street use - i.e. at lower engine rpms where's there's just not enuf oil to keep hi pressure springs from pressing the lifter down thru the oil film. That's one advantage of a roller. I've recently read an article on a new lifter made by a guy in AZ (don't have it with me her) that has come up with a new material he bonds onto the lifter face that actually can be switched from cam to cam and just flat does not wear out. Also, he's developed a "flat" lifter I think with slightly raised edges that can even be used on roller type cams. He's got both solids and hydraulics. That would be the way to go - a steep ramp roller cam with these raised edge solids which are lighter than roller lifters and no parts to break. I'll try to find that info this weekend and post it to this thread. The material is so hard and smooth it withstands hi spring temps and doesn't wear the lifter or the cam lobe.