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Hydraulic vs Solid roller

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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 12:20 PM
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Default Hydraulic vs Solid roller

[:-] Well im just wondering what the difference is between an hydraulic and a solid roller cam set up. Is there a big HP difference? and how extensive is the work doing one vs the other?
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 01:00 PM
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Default RE: Hydraulic vs Solid roller

solid roller make more power ....and higher valve spring pressures ,solid roller lifters are 300 bucks..and you get more rpm out of your motor too...hyd are only good up to say 6500...
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 01:27 PM
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if your not racing your car it is not worth it to switch, my hyd cam will pull 6700 but then it will drop right off so i only pull to 6500 i love mine and i would never give it up.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 04:55 PM
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Default RE: Hydraulic vs Solid roller

I agree, make the decision based on RPM you plan to turn engine. Only go solid if you plan to turn more than 6300 - 6500. If you have never had a solid lift cam, it is a pain having to adjust all the time for a daily driver, and they are much more noisy.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 06:04 PM
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yeah you will have to get polly locks to keep your valves adjusted and that is no fun. like angcobra said they are noisy. Get your self a good hyd cam and dont think twice about solid lifter.

ORIGINAL: angcobra

I agree, make the decision based on RPM you plan to turn engine. Only go solid if you plan to turn more than 6300 - 6500. If you have never had a solid lift cam, it is a pain having to adjust all the time for a daily driver, and they are much more noisy.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 09:05 PM
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Default RE: Hydraulic vs Solid roller

whats the main difference between the two? how do they work, do you have pictures of both types and what kinda lifters would each use? thanks.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 09:20 PM
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Hyd uses roller rockers, and the lobes are more round than a solid lift cam. and Solid lifter is a flat tappet designe, also a solid lifter cam the lobes on it are flatter than a hyd cam. people use solid lift cams for more rpm, because a hyd cam will float out most people say about 6500 that is really the only differance.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 09:21 PM
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it make no since in using a solid cam in a street engine.......also the cam isn't a long run item as it wear fairly quickly on street engine..
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 09:24 PM
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i would say that is because the hyd cam uses a roller lifter as to a flat lifter. and i ment lifter in my last post.
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 09:33 PM
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Default RE: Hydraulic vs Solid roller

Solid roller cams are designed for use in race engines which see high RPM constantly. Generally roller cams have more aggressive profiles and steeper opening and closing ramps to open and close the valves faster than a flat tappet cam so more air gets into and out of the engine. This is why they make more power. Hydraulic cams use hydraulic lifters which compress under load and are better suited for a daily driver or street/strip car. The hydraulic lifters help to smooth out the idle and keeps the engine vacuum at a reasonable level. Since roller cams use roller lifters they don't wear as fast as flat tappet cams, but roller cam kits are much more expensive than a hydraulic flat tappet kit, and as stated earlier they need constant adjusting. I would only recommend a roller cam for a car that sees limited street usage like a weekend warrior or strip car.



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