curious about Solid Roller setups
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
curious about Solid Roller setups I am just curious to know how and what it would take to build a solid roller setup. Links, part #, and all sort of info would be appreciated. Seems like if you wanna make big power this is the way to go. Also what to expect out of the drivability. I mean I have a hydraulic custom cam but I don't think I've ever seen a solid roller cam before. From what I've read just need a solid roller cam and special roller rockers but don't understand what that means.
what specifically you want to know?????
it really comes down to how big you wanna go on your cam? Solid roller cams don't lose power due to the valve float issues that hydro rollers go into when the lifter can't "pump" fast enough to keep up with the valve action... so above 6K rpms the solid roller stick will really start to shine...
combine that with agressive ramp angles that solid rollers use and now you have a cam that throughout the range does a better job of controlling the valve thru it's motion. Also when used with top of the line shaft rockers you don't get the flex that stud mount rockers get so now you have the ultimate in high rpm control over your valves.... What that does is allow you to make consistent power in the upper RPM ranges that some heads are designed to operate in.....
Put a set of 227 AFR heads on your car.... single plane intake, blah blah..... you put some stud mount rockers on there, and a hydro roller..... Your valves are gonna go into valve float LONG before you reach the RPM limit of those heads.... So you might dyno say 420 to the wheels ONLY cause you have to shut it down at 6500 RPM's... power will fall off cause your valves start floating...
now put a solid roller cam in there with some shaft rockers and you spin it to 7500 RPMS and power suddenly jumps to 490 RWHP+...... you didn't bolt on 70hp you merely optimized your combo with a cam more suited to the heads you are running..... Solid roller is not for everybody. If your car makes power to 6300-6500 and peaks you don't require an SR. if you think your heads have alot more flow potential upwards of that then you might need one...
it really comes down to how big you wanna go on your cam? Solid roller cams don't lose power due to the valve float issues that hydro rollers go into when the lifter can't "pump" fast enough to keep up with the valve action... so above 6K rpms the solid roller stick will really start to shine...
combine that with agressive ramp angles that solid rollers use and now you have a cam that throughout the range does a better job of controlling the valve thru it's motion. Also when used with top of the line shaft rockers you don't get the flex that stud mount rockers get so now you have the ultimate in high rpm control over your valves.... What that does is allow you to make consistent power in the upper RPM ranges that some heads are designed to operate in.....
Put a set of 227 AFR heads on your car.... single plane intake, blah blah..... you put some stud mount rockers on there, and a hydro roller..... Your valves are gonna go into valve float LONG before you reach the RPM limit of those heads.... So you might dyno say 420 to the wheels ONLY cause you have to shut it down at 6500 RPM's... power will fall off cause your valves start floating...
now put a solid roller cam in there with some shaft rockers and you spin it to 7500 RPMS and power suddenly jumps to 490 RWHP+...... you didn't bolt on 70hp you merely optimized your combo with a cam more suited to the heads you are running..... Solid roller is not for everybody. If your car makes power to 6300-6500 and peaks you don't require an SR. if you think your heads have alot more flow potential upwards of that then you might need one...
The main difference in parts other then the cam is the lifters. I haven't had a solid roller setup my self but my dad used to run one and from what I've heard you can still daily drive it if you really want but you can expect to be in there adjusting the vales about every 2000-3000 miles. But like stated above it allows the valves to continue to work at higher rpms and the ramps on the cam can be alot more aggressive
The old rules on solid roller do not apply anymore. Things are much better in the solid roller world.
You dont need to spin a solid roller to the moon to make power, mine peaks at 65-6700.
I have big heads(really too big most think) big intake, big headers, big everything. Its all about how the cam is ground.
The advantage to a solid roller is average power. IMO a solid roller setup correctly will make more average power than a hyd roller. Average power makes heavy cars MOVE.
Setup correctly you do not have to adjust valves every 3000 miles, more wives tale bullshit.
When I set mine up to put the engine in the car, then do a warm adjustment I have never had to adjust more than 3 valves any time I check them which is at 3000 miles(ish) Truth be known I could have left them alone but I am ****.
You dont need to spin a solid roller to the moon to make power, mine peaks at 65-6700.
I have big heads(really too big most think) big intake, big headers, big everything. Its all about how the cam is ground.
The advantage to a solid roller is average power. IMO a solid roller setup correctly will make more average power than a hyd roller. Average power makes heavy cars MOVE.
Setup correctly you do not have to adjust valves every 3000 miles, more wives tale bullshit.
When I set mine up to put the engine in the car, then do a warm adjustment I have never had to adjust more than 3 valves any time I check them which is at 3000 miles(ish) Truth be known I could have left them alone but I am ****.
Last edited by FASTFATBOY; Feb 10, 2010 at 02:27 PM.
I was just saying that's what I've heard I know there have been alot of improvements. I'm glad to hear from somebody that is actually running one that the drivablity is better
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
All this info is very intriguing to me. Where would you get a solid roller cam from? And is this pic a picture of the shaft rockers req. to run w/ the solid roller cam?
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Depending on the cam profile shaft mounts may not be necessary. I am running a mild SR cam and am running stud mount rockers. Have been doing so for the last 3 years and the valve train is holding up well. Running stud mounts may involved adjusting valves more frequently, but I don't mind. I like being that in touch w/ the valve train to make sure the rockers, valves and springs are still in good shape and I like running stock valve covers.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Depending on the cam profile shaft mounts may not be necessary. I am running a mild SR cam and am running stud mount rockers. Have been doing so for the last 3 years and the valve train is holding up well. Running stud mounts may involved adjusting valves more frequently, but I don't mind. I like being that in touch w/ the valve train to make sure the rockers, valves and springs are still in good shape and I like running stock valve covers.
Yes you can. It's possible you would not have to adjust them even that often, but there are no guarantees. My shift points are 7200. I have always taken a good look at my rockers/valve tips and they are still in good shape. One of the key reasons I did stud mount rockers is because of my budget and my builder said it really wasn't necessary for my setup. The stock valve covers is a real bonus.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: st louis, mo area
The key to long adjustment interval is poly locks. A good set of those and you're gold. I put a solid flat tappet valvetrain from Comp in a 74 468 vette and looked at the valves once every spring. I never had to adjust all of them, always just a few. The real kicker was the sound. A solid lifter valvetrain is mechanical music mang!!
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: st louis, mo area
The last time I was a frequent participant of a car forum was back in the mid-2000s. Back then, some of the solid roller crowd were experiencing failures of the roller, which would cause all kinds of engine carnage. The guys that were on that forum were pulling intakes and checking lifters 2-3 times a summer. Is this still common or have the lifters been optimized for street use now?
The last time I was a frequent participant of a car forum was back in the mid-2000s. Back then, some of the solid roller crowd were experiencing failures of the roller, which would cause all kinds of engine carnage. The guys that were on that forum were pulling intakes and checking lifters 2-3 times a summer. Is this still common or have the lifters been optimized for street use now?
Can you post up some part numbers? I've been searching for some hippo's and can't seem to find any. If you can provide some part #'s or a link, that would be awesome.
This is for a friend btw. Why would I need them.
This is for a friend btw. Why would I need them.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Bolo how is the street ability w/ that cam you have that spins to 65-6700?
You're going to need tougher springs than Cranes 10308 kit. Something to the tune of $400+ a set. Comp 943's or similar work are used a lot. You'll of course needs springs matched to the camshaft. Depending on the grind you might need stud girdles or shaft rockers, don't forget very good pushrods that will handle the aggressive lobes and spring pressure.
-Dustin-
-Dustin-
Morel and Lunati offer H.I.P.P.O. SR lifters also. Rumor has it they are same the same lifters with different names on the box. You can expect to pay $600ish for a good set of H.I.P.P.O. solid roller lifters from whatever company you choose.