Are roller lifters worth it?

**Edmond** · 09-25-04, 10:23 PM

I'm going to rebuild this winter and have considered roller lifters. Are they worth the extra money?

What are the benefits of roller lifters?

What are the disadvantages of roller lifters?

**6 Shooter** · 09-25-04, 10:30 PM

My LT4 thinks so . . .

Pros - Higher Rev Limits . . .

Cons - Cost U more . . .

**Edmond** · 09-25-04, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by 6 Shooter

My LT4 thinks so . . .

Pros - Higher Rev Limits . . .

Cons - Cost U more . . .

Since I am building for a street car and want to power from idle-4500, it probably wouldn't be worth it?

**JonM** · 09-25-04, 10:37 PM

Anything that reduces friction is a +

Dean Barker · 09-25-04, 10:39 PM

I always thought that roller lifters permitted a cam with faster lift and faster closing along with stiffer valve springs. I really like the LT4 engine in my 96, seem like it is the best of everything.

**6 Shooter** · 09-25-04, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dean Barker

I always thought that roller lifters permitted a cam with faster lift and faster closing along with stiffer valve springs. I really like the LT4 engine in my 96, seem like it is the best of everything.

. . . is an LT5 !

**-=Jeff=-** · 09-25-04, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Edmond

I'm going to rebuild this winter and have considered roller lifters. Are they worth the extra money?

What are the benefits of roller lifters?

What are the disadvantages of roller lifters?

Are you goign to use your current block?

if so, Roller lifters were OEM in 88.

**kenwa** · 09-25-04, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Are you goign to use your current block?

if so, Roller lifters were OEM in 88.

And, you can reuse them on a new cam, unlike flat lifters. I'd recommend keeping them in order, and rolling the same direction anyway.

**Edmond** · 09-25-04, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Are you goign to use your current block?

if so, Roller lifters were OEM in 88.

Yes, I will be reusing the current block. I think that I'll check the condition of the lifters and then go from there.

Kind of related, I worked on a neighbors Geo Metro that had roller rocker arms. The problem was that the wheel had seized up and failed to move. I'll check to make sure the wheel is still going like it should.

militant_x · 09-26-04, 12:13 AM

pros: More lift per degree of duration. Less friction.

Cons: Lower rev limit due mostly to increased mass of lifter. Hydraulic roller lifters weigh, and that weight is controlled by the valve spring.

It is true that roller lifters allow a higher rev limit.... mechanical roller lifters.

**Ken** · 09-26-04, 12:27 AM

Edmond, you gotta get you some books Dude! Start readin' up on this stuff; don't ignore your real baby, your guitar, but if you're gonna be buildin' engines, ya better learn all you can about 'em.

**rrubel** · 09-26-04, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Edmond

I'm going to rebuild this winter and have considered roller lifters. Are they worth the extra money?

What are the benefits of roller lifters?

What are the disadvantages of roller lifters?

Did you mean roller LIFTERS or roller ROCKERS?

You've already got roller lifters and unless you swap to a LESS-aggressive cam then you have to stay with them. Flat tappet lifters can't follow as sharp a curve as the rollers can.

Roller rockers weren't stock on any L98 or LT1 but let the valvetrain run a little bit cooler and with a touch less friction thus freeing up a tiny bit more HP. And if you plan to run your engine at higher RPMs then they will allow the valves to open/close a hair faster.
[RICHR]

**Edmond** · 09-26-04, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Ken

Edmond, you gotta get you some books Dude! Start readin' up on this stuff; don't ignore your real baby, your guitar, but if you're gonna be buildin' engines, ya better learn all you can about 'em.

Yeah, I know but I'm pretty busy with other reading. I do manage to flip through some Chevy High Performance and read about roller lifters. Thing I don't like about the books and magazines is that I can't ask questions.

Have a neighbor who builds engines almost as a living but he's been very busy putting in 14 hour days at his trucking job. I haven't had a chance to catch him; don't want to bother the guy after he's put in so many hours.

Rich,

I'm talking about lifters. 1.6 roller rockers are already set on my mind. I just used the roller rocker comparison with the Metro because I was surprised they used roller rockers in the Metro but not even in Corvette's, cept' for the LT4.