Im gonna have the engine on my truck rebuilt and I was jw what the diff between a roller cam and a reg cam?

Question

I have a 93 Chevy Fullsize Z71 Blazer, Im searching online for master rebuild kits and I would like to beef it up a little bit, Whats the diff between a roller cam and a regular cam, and also the diff between hydro lifters and roller lifters, I would just like some advice on a rebuild kit for my truck.

Answer 1

Roller cams provide a broader power range than regular hydralic cams. They also are much easier on the valve train especially if you use "full" blown needle bearing roller rockers (like Crane GOLD rockers). If you plan to do a a lot of highway driving, they will help because it puts less of a strain on the valve train at a constant RPM level than a regular hydralic set up. The hydralic roller setup is also good for 200-300 RPM more than the regular hydralic setup before "valve" float.

Now for the cost. My big block CRANE GOLD roller rocker set up cost 450 dollars. The CRANE Hydralic rollers were another 400 dollars and the CRANE roller cam was 250 dollars for a parts cost of 1,100.00 dollars!!!

Would I do it all over again (roller)??? Yes, but the performance difference was less than I anticipated. So as usual, it's your call. If you are on a restricted budget, in my opinion the money could be spent more wisely elsewhere. I probably picked up around 20HP over a hydralic setup with the same CAM specs

Answer 2

If you are building a every day driver going to the expense of a roller cam is not necessary. you can get little more horse with out that type of change. Roller cam and lifters are very good for durability diesel engines have used them for years. For the amount of money to change the cam to roller you could get other performance items to enhance your engine. If you are going to build this yourself, spend the extra on having the engine balanced. this will allow the engine not only run at a higher RPM but do it smoother and get there quicker. also look into different fuel system mod's. You can make different changes there and still keep the engine legal (emissions) , computer changes too!!

Answer 3

A regular cam works with flat bottomed lifters.
A Roller cam works with lifters that have a roller in the contact area of the cam.
It gives less friction, for that last nano-horsepower, however, it's really useless for street applications unless you feel you just have to have that last partial horsepower. But hey! At least you can brag that you probably have the most expensive cam and lifter assembly on your block!

Answer 4

Roller cams and roller lifters free up more horse power by less friction, and your "regular" cam and hydro lifters have more friction. You can get kits that take a "regular" cam and lifter set and let you swap it out for roller lifters and cam. You usually need taller rocker covers though.

Answer 5

Approx. 10 times the difference in Price.
Plus there is no reason for a roller cam and kit unless you are planning to run in the 9,000-12,000 RPM range....and to do that it will cost you another $50,000 - $100,000 to build such an engine.

Answer 6

if your not going for high performance 400+hp, hydraulic lifters and reg cam will work( you can change cam performance). roller cam and lifters are more expensive.