Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
12-21-2004, 08:12 PM
#21
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
Originally Posted by WETTE VETTE
Robyw1,
It may seem that way, but the characteristics of hydraulic vs solid lifters cannot be compared on an apples to apples basis. A hydraulic roller cannot open the valves as quickly as the solid so for the exact duration at .050" numbers the hydraulic roller will need more seat to seat duration. This holds true for durations @ .100, .200, etc. Realistically for a hydraulic roller to idle well the duration @ .050" is going to be something less than the solid roller's duration at .050, and the lift is going to be less as well. All of this obviously will have an effect on how the motor performs from idle to WOT. I just thought it would be fun to ask how much? Really the hydraulic roller must be chosen without considering the soild that is in the motor now. Size the cam for the motor and its application and see where it ends up. Since we all know the solid roller size it will be hard to not just select the largest hydraulic roller we can find, which will likely be too large for the application, but it may compare in numbers to the solid. Anyone out there have a proven strong performing hydraulic roller for this scenario?
Craig
It may seem that way, but the characteristics of hydraulic vs solid lifters cannot be compared on an apples to apples basis. A hydraulic roller cannot open the valves as quickly as the solid so for the exact duration at .050" numbers the hydraulic roller will need more seat to seat duration. This holds true for durations @ .100, .200, etc. Realistically for a hydraulic roller to idle well the duration @ .050" is going to be something less than the solid roller's duration at .050, and the lift is going to be less as well. All of this obviously will have an effect on how the motor performs from idle to WOT. I just thought it would be fun to ask how much? Really the hydraulic roller must be chosen without considering the soild that is in the motor now. Size the cam for the motor and its application and see where it ends up. Since we all know the solid roller size it will be hard to not just select the largest hydraulic roller we can find, which will likely be too large for the application, but it may compare in numbers to the solid. Anyone out there have a proven strong performing hydraulic roller for this scenario?
Craig
Roby
12-21-2004, 09:03 PM
#25
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
That is one beat-up SBC!! Can you put your finger on the series of events that led to that? It almost looks like maybe the lifter siezed and held the valve open which hit the piston!! Ugly!! 
12-22-2004, 08:04 AM
#26
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
I'm not sure it is all the same engine (although it might as well be) I did a search on Yahoo for blown engine pictures. Some of them were too scary to post
Roby
Roby
12-22-2004, 09:46 AM
#28
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
Matching the camshaft to the engines application and rpm range is far more important then what type of cam used. Power gains or losses can be offset with this. Sure an engine may feel like its making power, but when one is tweaked the gains can be considerable.
Chris
Chris
12-22-2004, 10:46 AM
#29
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
The bigger the motor, the more it will benefit from a solid. 572" + and a solid will start walking away even @5000....hydralic just can't open and close the valves fast enough regardless of lift.
12-22-2004, 12:27 PM
#30
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Re: Solid vs. Hydraulic Roller (Performance)
I totally agree Chris!! That being said if the correctly matched cam of each type were compared how much difference in performance? My 598" package was a proven combo that Nickerson uses on a regular basis. He claims dyno results from this package have ranged from 800 to 840 HP. According to WPM my boat needs 750 HP to do 110, and with this motor it does 115, which makes me feel like it is inline with what Nickerson claims. So is 800 HP attainable with a hydraulic roller all else being the same with this motor in some of your expert opinions? Would the accdeleration be comparable? Where will the hydraulic roller suffer compared to the solid? Appreciate all replies. This is a fun debate for me and I am really surprised nobody has any solid answers, only opinions!! 
