Hydraulic or Solid Roller cam in a 408ci stroker?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 51
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From: Martinez, Ca
Hydraulic or Solid Roller cam in a 408ci stroker? What are the advantages and disadvantages for hydraulic roller and solid roller cams in stroker motors? I know most stoker motors are built with hydraulic roller cams, would it be worth while to convert my 408ci iron block motor over to a solid roller? How much does it tipically cost to make the conversion?
Thanks,
Joey
Thanks,
Joey
Last edited by AmericanMuscle; Apr 17, 2004 at 08:15 PM.
Some people will always say that a solid will make alot more power but I feel that with the new lobe designs on the hydro and the aggressive ramps on the hydro that we are seeing you can get just as much as a hp or close to what the solid would make. The big advantage to the solid is the bigger lift numbers that you can run and turn the rpm's where the hydro will start to have issues really past 7k. I was just faced with the same delima and I decided to go with a huge hydro cam and keep my shift pts right at 7200.
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From: Kansas City, MO
Hydraulics can never approach the ramp rates possible with a solid roller camshaft. It just isn't possible.
Not to mention, a solid lets you run a large duration camshaft that actually has less seat-to-seat duration that a comparably sized hydraulic.
Not to mention, a solid lets you run a large duration camshaft that actually has less seat-to-seat duration that a comparably sized hydraulic.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Bay Area, CA
also, it is murder on valvetrain components, springs, and lifter will need more a reqular maintenance schedule, its truly for someone that wants the most power possible, money and time is no objection.
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Driveability worse? Ummm, no. Try running a hydraulic 250/244-109 LSA cam with a 346 at 850 RPM idle. 
Mine does quite nicely at 850.
Honestly, with the hydraulic cams that are out there today, I'd stick with hydraulic. The extra cost at this point is probably not worth it. Now, my heads aren't the greatest in the world, so mine doesn't make "huge power". But there are good-headed heads/cam cars out there making similar numbers.
Max out effort? If ya got the extra grand or 2 to spend, sure, why not.
But there's no overwhelming reason to do it, IMO.
Adjusting valves every 3-6 months is no big deal to me.
Mine does quite nicely at 850.Honestly, with the hydraulic cams that are out there today, I'd stick with hydraulic. The extra cost at this point is probably not worth it. Now, my heads aren't the greatest in the world, so mine doesn't make "huge power". But there are good-headed heads/cam cars out there making similar numbers.
Max out effort? If ya got the extra grand or 2 to spend, sure, why not.
But there's no overwhelming reason to do it, IMO.Adjusting valves every 3-6 months is no big deal to me.
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Originally Posted by FASTONE
LOnslo,what kind of cam are you running,size and make,also how big of NO shot.do you have any track times? 
SSU Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Austin, TX
Here's my question: why do you need shaft rockers for a solid cam? SBC guys don't always run shafts.
If you don't need them, the new 1.75 or 1.85 ratio Comps should work fine since they're adjustable, and they're like 400 bucks, right? Add $300 lifters and a good pushrod set...and you've got your cam for little more than a hyd.
If you don't need them, the new 1.75 or 1.85 ratio Comps should work fine since they're adjustable, and they're like 400 bucks, right? Add $300 lifters and a good pushrod set...and you've got your cam for little more than a hyd.
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From: Kansas City, MO
Sure, you don't "have" to run shaft mount rockers....but it is really a waste of time not to. The aggressiveness of a solid places incredibly stress on the valvetrain. You have to decrease rocker arm deflection as much as possible.
SSU Moderator
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From: Austin, TX
How much is deflection a problem? Enough to detroy a rocker arm once a year? To cause some knock at high rpm? Valve float? If its a $4-500 difference, I wouldn't call it a waste unless you are gonna break parts.
Originally Posted by RyanJ
How much is deflection a problem? Enough to detroy a rocker arm once a year? To cause some knock at high rpm? Valve float? If its a $4-500 difference, I wouldn't call it a waste unless you are gonna break parts.
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From: Kansas City, MO
I think the main point is, why run a solid setup unless you're going to take advantage of it?
If you're not going to take advantage of a solid cam's ability to run supper aggressive lobes, you may as well stick to a hydraulic. It is a waste of money, time, and energy.
With a solid, you need to either do it right or do not do it. "Do or do not, there is no try."
If you're not going to take advantage of a solid cam's ability to run supper aggressive lobes, you may as well stick to a hydraulic. It is a waste of money, time, and energy.
With a solid, you need to either do it right or do not do it. "Do or do not, there is no try."
Originally Posted by DenzSS
I think the main point is, why run a solid setup unless you're going to take advantage of it?
If you're not going to take advantage of a solid cam's ability to run supper aggressive lobes, you may as well stick to a hydraulic. It is a waste of money, time, and energy.
With a solid, you need to either do it right or do not do it. "Do or do not, there is no try."
If you're not going to take advantage of a solid cam's ability to run supper aggressive lobes, you may as well stick to a hydraulic. It is a waste of money, time, and energy.
With a solid, you need to either do it right or do not do it. "Do or do not, there is no try."
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