Roller cam?

[PDW HOTRODS]

How much can you expect to gain by going to a roller cam instead of flat tapet? This is comparing similar rpm cams like Edelbrock performer rpm flat tapet to the rpm hydrolic roller. Both are 1500-6500 rpm. There may be better cams but I was looking more to compare cam type and style in a given rpm range. Thinking of going roller and want to know if its worth it. Thanks.

[Ticker]

Roller cams will always give 10%+ or so improvement across the RPM range, with more gains in the midrange...but the benefits really depend on the head.

Figure about $600 for a retrofit roller setup.

[swb85]

Ticker is right on. Additionally, never having to worry about wiping a flat tappet lobe again with the oils of today is reason enough (IMO) to switch.

[snj8198]

the cost of rebuilding after a wiped flat tappet cam lobe will pay for the original upgrade to a roller. found that the hard way.

[Ticker]

There's no reason to worry about flat-tappet cams if you're running the right oil.

[shortbed70]

I have looked in to swapping to a roller also and you can find cams from herbertsracing that are fairly inexpensive along with lifters. Don't forget springs. Comp cams is very proud of their kits but the gain far outways the cost. As far as oil i would run brad Penn oil or equivalent not the calcimine " race oil" from parts stores. Ask me how I know.
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[Ticker]

Let's not turn this into yet another flat-tappet cam oil thread; everything anyone needs to know is right in the sticky at the top of this section.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=381780

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by Ticker

There's no reason to worry about flat-tappet cams if you're running the right oil.

Agreed on that point. Doesn't the roller cam allow the use of slightly more aggressive lobe profiles? Possibly giving the engine a wider and possibly more streetable HP / torque curve with much less valvetrain stress? I'm no expert here, just trying to learn myself.

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Doesn't the roller cam allow the use of slightly more aggressive lobe profiles? Possibly giving the engine a wider and possibly more streetable HP / torque curve with much less valvetrain stress? I'm no expert here, just trying to learn myself.

That's mostly right on. It's actually a MUCH more aggressive ramp - if you look at the profile of a roller lobe, it honestly doesn't seem like a lifter could get over it. It does give all those benefits...except for reduced valvetrain stress. Rollers are much harder on the valvetrain and the velocities are much higher - which is why we see MUCH stronger springs required for roller cams.

[prostreetC-10]

This is a great comparison of 2 cams I had. Very obvious. Dem rollers go up quick, hold longer and go down quick. It is also more that just cam and lifters. You need roller rockers and possible push rods along with spring as stated. Getting geometery right is also important so that rocker tip is correctly on that valve stem.

Do some looking around because there are both cast and billet roller cams. You can get a good billet cam for what some of the big names want for their cast stuff.

I had a cam manufacturer tell me that you can take the same basic grind and see upwards of 75 more hp out of a roller over a FT.....plus they really rap!

[prostreetC-10]

.....'course then you have this little bad boy which is deceiving. This is from an 8,000 hp 426 hemi funny car. Look at how small that darn base circle is. It's barely bigger than the size of the shaft. Massive lift right there.

[swb85]

You think that's a big boy.......it's fairly mild compared to what the pro-stock guys run! The lobes look like baseballs......

[prostreetC-10]

That's funny you say that because I was trying to google a pro stock cam but it wasn't pulling up a good pic. Yes....the pro stock cams are much bigger than even the fuel cars!

[prostreetC-10]

Dang......I didn't realize how easy it would be for me to get into pro stock racing!!!!! Sonny's can set me up with the 932 ci (that was not a typo) 2070hp and it's only $89,000. Now I just need a car and some driving lessons. See what happens when you start to goooooooogle? Sorry for the hijack!

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

It's barely bigger than the size of the shaft.

Heh...you said "shaft".

No, I haven't had my coffee yet. Why do you ask?

In the LS crowd .650 lift is just getting started...who woulda thunk?

[prostreetC-10]

My point was that the effective lift has to do with the size of the base circle the lobe is coming off of. If you have a super small base circle, which on this one is not much bigger than the smallest part of the cam, and the same basic lobe size, you will have way more lift. I know you know this.....I'm spelling it out for the other readers.

I have also learned a VERY valueable lesson here. I will NEVER use the word "shaft" without putting the work "cam" in front of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

My point was that the effective lift has to do with the size of the base circle the lobe is coming off of. If you have a super small base circle, which on this one is not much bigger than the smallest part of the cam, and the same basic lobe size, you will have way more lift. I know you know this.....I'm spelling it out for the other readers.

I have also learned a VERY valueable lesson here. I will NEVER use the word "shaft" without putting the work "cam" in front of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

Completely understand, I was just commenting on how crazy "streetable" rollers have become, especially with the LS. Lifts we thought were just too wild for anything on the street are now commonplace...and deliver 25 MPG with the A/C on

The only small base circle stuff I've worked with have been a few GEN I SBC 396's where it was required for rod clearance. IMHO, way too much work for 13 CID...but there it is

[prostreetC-10]

So true. It has become common place for us to talk just about anyone out of a 396 build. Anymore they have just about as much value as a 366 truck block. only for numbers or if you really gotta have that torque but them we are back to the 454 arguement.

Hey Tick....you ever hit the puyallup swap meet in Feb or the seattle/monroe meet later on? Worth the drive from Bend? Meez wooken fa Hollies! lol

[Ticker]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

Hey Tick....you ever hit the puyallup swap meet in Feb or the seattle/monroe meet later on? Worth the drive from Bend? Meez wooken fa Hollies! lol

I've been to both.

The local board participants have a strong presence and "mini-meet" at the Monroe event, although I can't hang with those folks any more.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=439247

IMHO, the stuff at the Monroe event is pretty much junk. There is a 'carb guy' there that sets out a big spread...but I just kinda walk by

The Corvette & High Performance swap in Puyallup is a better meet IMHO, and as a Corvette guy that's the one I usually hit.

If you decide to go to the Puyallup one, drop me an email and maybe we can meet up and I'll buy you a beverage

[1968SWBBigBlock]

Roller cams are not the bullet proof ride everyone thinks they are - especially true when you crank up the lift - do a search on roller lifter failures, you need to make sure to run a bronze or composite gear on you Dist shaft or you will pay the price