cheap 393 build - worth it?

[jonnyk]

Originally posted by red82gt
Why bother using weenie cams in a small motor like a 302 that needs to rev to the moon in order to make anywhere close to what a basic 393 would?
If anything, the weakest cams are the hydraulic rollers. In order to get one of these to run high rpm's you need titanium retainers, beehive springs, an a custom ramp rate. With a flat tappet hydraulic, you can run 7000 rpms with a street friendly valve spring. With a solid roller, you're replacing your valvesprings at every third oil change and having to adjust your rockers every oil change (or 20 drag strip passes). This is fine for a race car but but sucks for a street car. Go to the corral and ask Buddy rawls what he thinks of flat tappet hydraulics.

He'll tell you they're junk too. What you look for in a high rpm application is mechanical lifters...either roller or flat tappets. Solid rollers can be configured for "street" profiles requiring a rather mild spring, and tight lash settings that don't need to be adjusted for up to around 7000 miles. Same goes for solid flat tappet, which is also great for the street, and perhaps more reliable than a roller which bearings get beat to death with low rpm idles that most street engines run to get some mileage.

I think your info is a little bit confused...