LesteR723

what makes the flat tappet so much worse? and is there an easy way to change from flat tappet to roller?

92GreyGT

Flat tappets rob more power from friction. Also the roller lobes snap the valve open faster and hold it fully open longer. I'm guessing you have a nonroller block. If that's the case it's easy but expensive. All the big cam companies make retro fit roller cams for non roller blocks but the price is outrageous. Go to Comp Cams web site and look at it. It's just as much if not more to go hydraulic roller as it is solid roller in an old style block. The lifters are the biggest expense.

LesteR723

i'm looking into a remanufactured 351w with everything except for an intake manifold for $1500 which is the best damn deal i have found thus far but i just found out that its a flat tappet design. Would it be more expensive to convert that one into a roller design or to buy a short block for like 2500 thats a roller and buy heads and front end accessories and such?

92GreyGT

What are going to use the engine for? For $1500 I'm sure they will be stock heads and you won't see a huge difference for the money spent on a roller. I would put the roller money in a better set of heads myself, that will be some good bang for your buck.

LesteR723

is there a huge difference in hp in a roller design over a flat tappet design?