Cam vs lifter question

mcashman · 02-03-2017, 11:25 PM

I am building a small block Chevy stocker with a flat tappet, hydraulic cam . I bought a Lunati cam that's cast iron. Am I able to run trend tool steel lifters on that cam or do I need a billet cam? Or different lifters

carl hinkson · 02-03-2017, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcashman

I am building a small block Chevy stocker with a flat tappet, hydraulic cam . I bought a Lunati cam that's cast iron. Am I able to run trend tool steel lifters on that cam or do I need a billet cam? Or different lifters

You should be fine I use tool steel lifter a lot in my circle track builds.. I use a P-55 cam core which is considered a performance cam core.

To date no problems

Good Luck
.

randy wilson · 02-04-2017, 09:04 AM

It'll all be in the break in.

Greg Hill · 02-04-2017, 11:39 AM

You do know you can run solid lifters now, right? Also if you're going to run a bunch of spring pressure (200 lbs on the seat), you might want to go with a billet cam. Cast cams wear out fast with that kind of spring pressure.

Alan Roehrich · 02-04-2017, 01:54 PM

Tool steel lifters are fine on cast cores. You simply can't run DLC coated lifters on cast cores.

Remember that break in is absolutely critical, you need to be sure the engine can start instantly, go to 2,000 to 3,000 RPM immediately, and stay there for at least 30 minutes. Pre oil the engine, make absolutely certain that you generate good oil pressure, and do not stop until oil is present through the pushrod at every single rocker arm. Be wary of any oiling issues, if it seems like it is taking too long to get oil to the rocker arms, it probably is. You should not exceed 250 pounds OPEN pressure during BREAK IN, 200 pounds is fine, but do not exceed 3,000 RPM with lower than race ready spring pressure. Use a premium quality break in oil, 30W is the minimum viscosity. Make sure that all the lifters are rotating when you're running the engine, you'll know because if the pushrods are rotating, the lifters are, and if the pushrods are not rotating, the lifters are not, and failure is imminent. Several rocker arm companies make break in rocker arms with low ratios. They're worth it.

randy wilson · 02-04-2017, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

Tool steel lifters are fine on cast cores. You simply can't run DLC coated lifters on cast cores.

Remember that break in is absolutely critical, you need to be sure the engine can start instantly, go to 2,000 to 3,000 RPM immediately, and stay there for at least 30 minutes. Pre oil the engine, make absolutely certain that you generate good oil pressure, and do not stop until oil is present through the pushrod at every single rocker arm. Be wary of any oiling issues, if it seems like it is taking too long to get oil to the rocker arms, it probably is. You should not exceed 250 pounds OPEN pressure during BREAK IN, 200 pounds is fine, but do not exceed 3,000 RPM with lower than race ready spring pressure. Use a premium quality break in oil, 30W is the minimum viscosity. Make sure that all the lifters are rotating when you're running the engine, you'll know because if the pushrods are rotating, the lifters are, and if the pushrods are not rotating, the lifters are not, and failure is imminent. Several rocker arm companies make break in rocker arms with low ratios. They're worth it.

This^

mcashman · 02-06-2017, 10:49 PM

Thank you for break in process , so it's legal to run a solid lifter ? Is there any hp gain?

Coleydog · 02-06-2017, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcashman

Thank you for break in process , so it's legal to run a solid lifter ? Is there any hp gain?

Not sure but maybe higher RPM

James L Miller · 02-07-2017, 01:02 AM

SECTION
10A
:
STOCK, ENGINE:
1, CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS (Page 2)
(12/5/2016)
(1/12/2017)
Camshaft must retain stock lift for horsepower claimed per NHRA Technical
Bulletins. Front wheel drive vehicles and stock trucks, maximum lift is limited to
.430 inch or OEM, whichever is greater. Aftermarket OEM type replacement
lifters permitted. Solid lifter may replace hydraulic. Flat tappet may not be
replaced with roller. Lift checked at valve retainer, with zero lash. Hydraulic lifter
cam will be checked with pushrod and rocker as run, plus solid lifter, at zero lash.
Plunger height of checking lifter will match extended height (no preload) of
hydraulic lifter. Hydraulic lifter may not be plugged or bottomed. Aftermarket gear
drives/belts prohibited. Aftermarket timing covers permitted as long as OEM
type timing gears are used. Adjustable pushrods or adjustable OEM rocker arms (not
both) permitted; must be same or greater weight as stock. Pushrod guide plates
permitted. Cylinder head may be clearanced for larger diameter pushrods.

02-03-2017, 11:25 PM	#1
mcashman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Westminster MD Posts: 82 Likes: 16 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Cam vs lifter question I am building a small block Chevy stocker with a flat tappet, hydraulic cam . I bought a Lunati cam that's cast iron. Am I able to run trend tool steel lifters on that cam or do I need a billet cam? Or different lifters

02-04-2017, 09:04 AM	#3
randy wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 882 Likes: 0 Liked 22 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Cam vs lifter question It'll all be in the break in. __________________ don,t have one

02-04-2017, 11:39 AM	#4
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Cam vs lifter question You do know you can run solid lifters now, right? Also if you're going to run a bunch of spring pressure (200 lbs on the seat), you might want to go with a billet cam. Cast cams wear out fast with that kind of spring pressure. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

02-04-2017, 01:54 PM	#5
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1,487 Liked 1,630 Times in 378 Posts	Re: Cam vs lifter question Tool steel lifters are fine on cast cores. You simply can't run DLC coated lifters on cast cores. Remember that break in is absolutely critical, you need to be sure the engine can start instantly, go to 2,000 to 3,000 RPM immediately, and stay there for at least 30 minutes. Pre oil the engine, make absolutely certain that you generate good oil pressure, and do not stop until oil is present through the pushrod at every single rocker arm. Be wary of any oiling issues, if it seems like it is taking too long to get oil to the rocker arms, it probably is. You should not exceed 250 pounds OPEN pressure during BREAK IN, 200 pounds is fine, but do not exceed 3,000 RPM with lower than race ready spring pressure. Use a premium quality break in oil, 30W is the minimum viscosity. Make sure that all the lifters are rotating when you're running the engine, you'll know because if the pushrods are rotating, the lifters are, and if the pushrods are not rotating, the lifters are not, and failure is imminent. Several rocker arm companies make break in rocker arms with low ratios. They're worth it. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

02-06-2017, 10:49 PM	#7
mcashman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Westminster MD Posts: 82 Likes: 16 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Cam vs lifter question Thank you for break in process , so it's legal to run a solid lifter ? Is there any hp gain?

02-07-2017, 01:02 AM	#9
James L Miller Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 494 Likes: 6 Liked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Cam vs lifter question SECTION 10A : STOCK, ENGINE: 1, CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS (Page 2) (12/5/2016) (1/12/2017) Camshaft must retain stock lift for horsepower claimed per NHRA Technical Bulletins. Front wheel drive vehicles and stock trucks, maximum lift is limited to .430 inch or OEM, whichever is greater. Aftermarket OEM type replacement lifters permitted. Solid lifter may replace hydraulic. Flat tappet may not be replaced with roller. Lift checked at valve retainer, with zero lash. Hydraulic lifter cam will be checked with pushrod and rocker as run, plus solid lifter, at zero lash. Plunger height of checking lifter will match extended height (no preload) of hydraulic lifter. Hydraulic lifter may not be plugged or bottomed. Aftermarket gear drives/belts prohibited. Aftermarket timing covers permitted as long as OEM type timing gears are used. Adjustable pushrods or adjustable OEM rocker arms (not both) permitted; must be same or greater weight as stock. Pushrod guide plates permitted. Cylinder head may be clearanced for larger diameter pushrods. __________________ Mopar 2 Ya!