Hydrolic Roller or Solid Roller?
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Ohio
Hydrolic Roller or Solid Roller? Hey everyone, I have a 1976 355 block that was a in a police car. I have a eagle crankshaft, flat top pistons that are 10:1cr at 0 deck, and probe industries rods, dart pro 1 heads, holley 750 carb and a victor jr. intake. I need to finish this engine to run pump gas. Driving with 110 octane is killing my wallet. I have a set of 1.6 roller rockers and stud girdle. But my main question here is what kind of cam should i run for the street and strip? I drive about 9 miles to my track, make about 7-8 passes on a good night 
and then drive another 9 miles home. I dont have a problem changing valve springs or rockers, but which kind of cam should i run? Could somebody possibly link me a cam for sale? No used please. Also possible 1/4 time estimates?
and then drive another 9 miles home. I dont have a problem changing valve springs or rockers, but which kind of cam should i run? Could somebody possibly link me a cam for sale? No used please. Also possible 1/4 time estimates? 
Its hard to tell from the vague description what it would run in the 1/4. but in my motor is a true street and strip motor I went high 9's off of a foot brake and drove it everywhere in my old 94 S10. Its now in my mustang. it really depends on your driving style, i shift my 385 sbc at 7600-7800 RPM. I have only had to change the valve springs once since i built this motor back in 2006. im running a solid flat tappet. reason being, i like high rpm's the solid part lets that happen, i also like NOT working on my car, the lower valve spring rate vs what a solid roller would need, makes it more streetable. I adjust my valves may be once a year. would a solid roller give me more power, yes it would. could i cruise it anywhere my wallet allows (gas $$) no not really. the valve springs would wear out quicker and it is harder on the rest of the valve train. the lifters might be an issue. now if you only plan on turning a max of 6500 rpm then a hydraulic roller would be fine. plus the cost difference is substantial hydraulc roller vs solid roller
For what you are trying to do I say hydraulic roller. You don't need the added expense and maintenance of a solid roller especially since you will be driving it.
This a a rundown of a junkyard setup we put together
1989 3rd gen only the A/c removed
355 LT1 carbed
Stock touched up LT1 heads
1 3/4 longtubes
1.6:1 rockers
Victor Jr. converted for LT1 bolt pattern
Unknown stall (its at least a 3200)
3.23 gears (lt1 rear end)
TH350
Comp nitrous HP cam http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ry_Code=RFHRNP
The car went 12.0 on the motor and that's without tuning it and having a mis-matched setup. I think with tuning, gears, and a better stall the car would run some 11.50's
Just to show what an old school setup could do. Here is another car a friend had
68 camaro
355 SBC trickflow 195 cc heads
11:1 compression
magnum 292 hydraulic flat tappet cam
Vic jr
Gary Williams carb
4.10 gears th350
3800 continental stall
3085 with driver
It ran 11 teens on the motor and 9.90's with a 200 shot.
This a a rundown of a junkyard setup we put together
1989 3rd gen only the A/c removed
355 LT1 carbed
Stock touched up LT1 heads
1 3/4 longtubes
1.6:1 rockers
Victor Jr. converted for LT1 bolt pattern
Unknown stall (its at least a 3200)
3.23 gears (lt1 rear end)
TH350
Comp nitrous HP cam http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ry_Code=RFHRNP
The car went 12.0 on the motor and that's without tuning it and having a mis-matched setup. I think with tuning, gears, and a better stall the car would run some 11.50's
Just to show what an old school setup could do. Here is another car a friend had
68 camaro
355 SBC trickflow 195 cc heads
11:1 compression
magnum 292 hydraulic flat tappet cam
Vic jr
Gary Williams carb
4.10 gears th350
3800 continental stall
3085 with driver
It ran 11 teens on the motor and 9.90's with a 200 shot.
