Roller cams-worth the $900?

[torredcuda]

My speed shop/engine biulder buddy is telling me to go roller cam to aviod the wiped cam problem. He thinks the 340`s not so great lifter angle is somewhat to blame for being hard on cams when you get to the higher lifts.The Comp XR274R he recommended lists for over $900 and I can`t justify spending that kind of money when a regular old cam should work fine.

[Topcat]

I hear ya on the cam cost. I too have been thinking about a roller for my Hemi. It's the roller lifters that cost a lot at $50.00 ea. for 8 pairs too.

[nivvy]

I love mine.......cost per horsepower dollar is pretty good...........whats your current cam?

[KellysCuda aircard]

Solid roller, if you can afford to try them you will never go back.   Period.  ( If you are looking for the most performance you can get.)    Reliability and less maintenance would push me towards a hydraulic roller, still having the cam profile of a roller and the hassle freeness of a hydraulic.

[Chryco Psycho]

Rollers are worth the $$ But for street use generally they are overkill & the bronze gear for the oil pump drive will not last very long

[moper]

I'm with CP. They have thier uses, and really work well. But if your guy is telling you this "because the (engine design) wasted the cam" he's doing it for the wrong reason. Either the oil wasnt right, the startup wasnt right, the preload/adjustment wasnt right, the lifters didnt rotate in the bores right, the spring tension wasnt right, the installed hieght or spring type wasnt right, the retainer to guide spec wasnt right, or the valve to piston clearance wasnt right. If those were all "right", your cam would be fine. So your $900 is to make his job easier really. and that's not the resaon to use a roller. BTW, he is adding in the cost of bushing the block too, right?

[nivvy]

If your talking about bushing the lifter bores that is $400 alone where Im from...

[matt63]

I think the hydraulic roller cams are great providing the right springs are used.  That said, the flat tappets should be fine if the right break-in procedure is followed and the right lube additive is used at oil changes.  Check this article out from Hughes Engines
http://www.hughesengines.com/general/techArticleDetail.asp?articleID=1000039

[torredcuda]

Thanks for the advice,going with the regular solid 274.

[rallyechall]

You may have other problems than just the lifter. Make sure the engine shop burnishes the lifter bores to ensure the lifter rotates, and moves freely in the bore. You can find one at the link below. It would be best to investigate all possibilities or you may end up destroying your new cam. This is a good start. Good luck



http://www.hughesengines.com/partDetail.asp?partID=10096&eTypeID=20