I was wondering if anyone makes roller lifters that would fit in a pre 86 block (block that did not have a roller cam from the factory). I'm looking at aftermarket SBC blocks such as the Motown block

I'm just kinda looking to the future for a serious engine buildup and I feel that a good aftermarket block and separate engine management system is the way I will go and not the LT1 block, however the heads I'm wanting to use state that "flat tappet lifters will have limited life" with this application. Just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this.

Bill

 

I can't speak to a specific block, but there are certainly old style blocks running rollers. Comp (and others) list specific part numbers for "old style" blocks. Check with the block manufacturer and/or the lifter manufacturer to be sure of what will work in your specific application.

As far as saying "flat tappet lifters will have limited life" this is an odd statement. I could be missing something, but AFAIK the lifters don't have any idea what heads you are running? Maybe the quote is referring to an assembled set of heads with high rate valve springs? Solid tappet lifters will tolerate lower maximum springs pressures than a roller lifter.

I have said this many times, but having seriously considered swapping in a gen I SBC into a 4th gen I don't regard it as feasible for a street car. If you want to fit all the accessories needed for a street car into a 4th gen with a gen I block, there will be a lot of custom fab work required. Besides the accessories, the intake and distributor are issues.

To date, I haven't seen a street 4th gen with a Gen I motor. And frankly, if I were building a race car I wouldn't start with a 4th gen.

Rich Krause

 

Yes there are both Hyd Roller Lifters and Solid Roller Lifters that will fit.

The funny thing is that the Hyd setup will be more expensive on a early style SBC like the Motown you are talking about. You either need a Hyd Roller Install kit to go with the newer style lifters which will save you about $100 bucks or go with the more ex*****ve lifters for those blocks. Now on the other side of that the Solid Roller lifters will be cheaper and more readily available to you in the older style block. If you had a LT1 or 1986 and up block then you could save money by cutting the lifter bores down to run the older style block lifter setup.

I can hook you up with whatever you need to do this, since we now have a Comp Cams dealership setup.


I agree on the engine mangement, but as Rich says it's not going to be easy for a 4th gen street car and running a SBC. Also what heads are you running that state that a flat tappet will have a limited life? Only thing I can thing of is that you need a offset solid roller lifter, and running a flat tappet setup with offset rockers will not be the optimum setup for those heads, therefore the "limited life" comment, other than that I can't see how that would matter.

Bret

 

The heads are the B-3 Arao 4 valve small block heads. The lifter statement is what they say on their information about the heads. I am looking into the Holley StealthRam induction system with their 950 computer. It's alot like the LT1 intake manifold, but taller. I plan on running a turbo with this setup, after i swap the exhaust flanges over. This is just in the planning stages right now. My Air conditioning doesn't work right now, and If i got rid of that all i would have to do is figure out the Alternator and the powersteering and I'd be happy. I'd keep the waterpump electric. Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming. Rich, its not an exclusive race car, just something different that has/will have the potential for alot of power.

Bill

 

Good luck with those heads.

I've talked to alot of guys about them, and my advice is not to get envolved with them. Those heads and a turbo seem like alot of BS to go thru, I would just forget them and get something like a set of 215AFR's, Jason Short is selling a really nice pair right now in fact.

Bret

 

The turbo system will already exist from my LT1 with AFR heads. Slight modifications will have to be done to the system to fit the new heads like changing the exhaust flanges. Alot of BS, yes i agree, but what else is new. Its something different though. What have you herd about these heads?

 

Well with the low lift flow that you get from the 4 valves you are going to have one hell of a time with a camshaft that is going to idle. That and the fact that very few of these heads have been run. A good Canted Valve head (like a Sb2.2 or a Brodix or GM Canted Valve) will make just as much power and in the long run be cheaper to get running and build.

Just my .02 cents

Bret

 

SMOKNZ,

I seen a few 4 gen F-bodys with both SBC,BBC and one that was small block Mopar. All engines where installed in the F-body's with unaltered strut towers and engine bays. The only item that did require modifacation was the windshield cowl.

I purchased a new combination this summer for my car that will power the car for 2004 a used but just freshened Kenny Duttweiler 447ci BBC twin turbo charged motor complete from top to bottom and all I can say is there is no way on this earth that motor will fit the stock engine bay of a Camaro. I would love to see how you snaked your plumbing in your car. It must have been a nightmare! As much as I regreat to have to cut the front half of the car off its the only way to get the new motor to fit.

If I could make any recommendation for you to check out for lifters, take alook at the Jessel keyed roller lifters. The new motor has them in and the lifters are rebuildable but on the pricy side.

Good Luck!

Post your pic's I would love to see a twin installed in the OEM engine bay.

 

I don't think jwinn's car will see much street time! Are you putting it in a 4th gen? Why not just start with a tube frame car in the first place? Not putting the idea down or anything like that, but I just don't see the "why".

Rich Krause

 

Honestly I do drive the car quite a bit on the street in the summer.

Obviously its no long distance trip cruiser like the Grizwalds family truckster but mostly driven on the weekend around town at night looking for some willing victims and every so often to work.

Over the winter I did have the car tubed from the firewall back to certify SFI 25.1D chromoly chassis including cage,alumn interior,carbon Fiber wheel tubs with carpet stock dash and chromoly sheetmetal 9" rearend plus 4 link and so on. I just got tired of making big power to see it never get to the ground. I'm making a switch to turbo power for 2004 just because I am so sick and tired of breaking parts with nitrous. I'm waiting on ARE to finish my LT1 combination of 398ci 14.5.1 comp N20 motor I droped off in January of 03. I wanted to atleast throw up some 8 second time slips with a LT1 before I make the switch to the other combo. Would be nice for the LT1 group regardless of the car the motor was in. The only hold up is the motor and ARE needs to kick it in gear because it should have been done months ago and the summer is just about over.

This spring the car will go back to chassis shop for front half to be done and the firewall to then certify 25.1C with strut front end. I'm just hopping I don't kill my tranny with the turbo power and forced to go to a Lenco with a Bruno unite$$$$$ My tranny is supposed to be good to 2500hp per Rossler, it should for what I paid for it. You see, where I live its not uncommon to see a few 7 second street cars out on the weekends at night. If you go to a web site www.gofastzone.com these are most of the guys in my town.

Fact is the car is a all out drag car but I do drive it often. I should be able to dump alot of boost with the new combo and do some street driving. Considering that 130 oct. turbo fuel isn't a million dollars a gallon. LOL! I'll just be happy to be done with nitrous power!

 

Jim:

Rich Krause

 

Jim,

Single turbo, twin ATI intercoolers. I never mentioned anything about a Big block, Motown makes smallblock blocks too. The LT1 and SBC blocks are pretty much identical (not the front though) and should have no problem with fitting what i currently have, or the upgrade i plan in the future.

Bill