Roller Cam 101

[AMXguy]

On my next build I'm thinking about going with a roller cam and lifters for obvious reasons.  I know little about them.  this is all for a pretty standard 440 six pack build.

Can I run a roller cam with standard rockers so I can keep my stock valve covers?

I'm running a custom cam that's a little more lift than a standard 6 pack cam,  any suggestions on a brand or model to come close to that?

Is there any reason not to go roller ?

[cudabob496]

make sure have correct spring pressure,
and careful about valve to piston clearance.
I would think roller is the only way to go.
Have had a solid roller in my 496, and very streetable,
with cam at 254/258 at .050, .625 lift. Rarely
have to adjust lash either.

[stinger]

not an expert but don't you have to bush the lifter bores and do some oiling mods?

[Chryco Psycho]

Rollers are good , down side is cost
You have a choice of solid or hyd roller cam
Parts needed are
Cam $400 or so
roller lifters $600 ish Look for EDM to oil the roller for street use
you will need adjustable rockers $450+Stock cover will work with most
new valve springs , $300
new pushrods $250
10* retainers & locks $300
cam button $50
fuel pump pushrod with bronze tip $80
 Lunati has some killer street roller grinds

[HP_Cuda]

If you decide to go roller, then it makes sense to make an entire roller valvetrain.

Roller rockers, roller lifters and roller cam.

Less friction, more power, more longevity. That's the theory.

[cudabob496]

If you decide to go roller, then it makes sense to make an entire roller valvetrain.

Roller rockers, roller lifters and roller cam.

Less friction, more power, more longevity. That's the theory.

And no cam breakin procedure that you might screw up

[AMXguy]

Can't you use stock rockers with a hydraulic roller set up so I could keep my stock valve covers?   

Or a set of Crane's if I could find them I suppose.

[Chryco Psycho]

yes virtually any adjustable rocker will fit under stock covers

[AMXguy]

Anyone have any experience with this cam or know what to expect from it?  more lift and specs are different from my flat tappet cams.  I would be running it with a six pack , 10.1 compression and HP manifolds wiith 2 1/2 " exhaust.

I'm looking for a choppy idle but I don't want a PITA to drive or sound overboard if you know what I mean.

https://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=4644&gid=365

[Chryco Psycho]

That should be a nice street grind

[AMXguy]

I keep hearing about oiling mods for roller lifters,  will there be any on a big block mopar?   I can't imagine rollers needing more oil than flat tappets.

[1 Wild R/T]

I keep hearing about oiling mods for roller lifters,  will there be any on a big block mopar?   I can't imagine rollers needing more oil than flat tappets.

No they don't need more oil, but some roller lifters cause a huge internal oil leak because the main oil galleys intersect all 16 lifter bores... They area cut away on a roller lifter where the roller lives sometimes uncovers the oil galley when the lifter is raised by the cam lobe.... Suddenly you have no oil pressure... If you happen to purchase a set of lifters of that design you get to have the lifter bores opened up to receive bushings.... The good news, it gives you the opportunity to correct lifter geometry... The bad news, it gives you the opportunity to really screw up lifter geometry... So do some research before buying lifters....  Also as CP mentioned above get lifters with pressure oiling to the roller...  Realize rollers can be hard on valve train, more roller lifters & cams are destroyed by to little spring pressure than anything else... High spring pressures mean your previous question about stock rockers is not an option... Unless they are stock ductile iron rockers like came on max wedge engines... With the cam you looking at I'd track down a set of Isky or Crane Ductile iron rockers, a set of RAS banana grooved shafts, get some properly sized Smith Bros 3/8 pushrods likely a set of beehive style springs...    Lifter wise ask about skirted designs...

[AMXguy]

I just got off the phone with Lunati's tech line and he said he hadn't heard of that problem.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad, does Lunati not have a problem or doesn't he know much about roller lifters? 

I guess the only way to know for sure is to see if anyone is running Lunati  hydraulic roller lifters and did they have any issues.  anyone ?

[RzeroB]

I'm looking for a choppy idle but I don't want a PITA to drive or sound overboard if you know what I mean.

Comp Cams has just what you are looking for with their "Thumpr" cams. Check it out here  http://www.compcams.com/thumpr/  I especially like the "Big Mutha Thumpr"

[Chryco Psycho]

Except that the Thumper has all the sound with little performance