Which is best roller or flat cam?

[81shortstep]

I have a 30 over 87 4 bolt main 350 with hypertech flat top pistons w/4 eyebrows . Block was decked slightly and 64cc vortech style heads . Running z-28 valve springs, was told they were good to 550 lift.Air gap intake with Cliff Ruggles Q-jet and curved hei dist. Doug Thorley tri-y headers and 2 1/4 exhaust with h-pipe. Currently have comp cam 252h-10 .Running 700-r4 trans  with 373 rear and 28 inch 275-60-15 tires. Found out after I built motor it is a stock roller motor and would like to up-grade. Considered a lingenfelter lpe-74216 which has 264/270 duration with 464 / 470 lift with 1.5 rockers which are already in motor. Also considered gm hot cam but didnt really want to  pull heads again to do more machine work to guides, but if I need to I would. Heads are stock,except for springs.I am running holley mechanical fuel pump.Looking for daily driver with lots of juice.. I have 81 chevy short stepside 2wd.

[Captkaos]

This is a loaded question.  If the motor is already running like you like it, I wouldn't pull it down just for a roller.

[Josh454]

I couldn't agree more.  It wouldn't be worth the time and money... 

[81shortstep]

To me the motor seems to go flat on upper rpms. Seems like it could have more power on midrange. just wondering if anyone is running the lingenfelter cam or hot cam with this set up? Looking to put bigger cam , but dont want to go too big for daily driver. Put the 252 comp cam in because truck originally had a 273 gear and turbo 350.I dont really care if it is a flat or roller, just trying to get set up matched better. there are so many cams to choose from , dont know which way to go..

[SUX2BU99]

I have a Comp XE268 cam and I like it. I've read it's one of the best all-around cams out there. It's a pretty popular grind.

Roller is best, no question. Doesn't mean a flat tappet doesn't have it's place though. Also from what I've read, it seems these modern fast-ramp cams like the XE and Voodoo lines are more oil sensitive than cams used to be.

[81shortstep]

Thanks for the info , like the idea of not pulling heads. Will this cam work straight up or do I need to advance it? Will this cam work ok with z-28 valve springs?

[bboyd]

a roller cam will make a huge difference in throttle response and mid-upper rpm range, but is a lot of cash to upgrade as you will have to change out the valve springs to, this upgrade is probably good for another 50hp thogh according to the pc dyno. as far as them being oil sensitive that may be true im not sure but with a hydrallic flat tappet cam you should be using rotella t oil as it has the correct amount of zinc in it as most oil manufacturers stopped adding zinc to there oil because of the lack of flat tappet cams being used in new cars, there is a great write up about this at comp cams web site. as well as lots of information on the different types of cams and there pros and cons

[81shortstep]

Dont really care about expense just want to get this motor right. I really dont want to kill gas mileage and I do pull a boat a few miles to the waterway. Someone told me rollers were good for 200,000 miles

[VileZambonie]

A flat tappet cam can be good for 500,000 miles if it's taken care of. Rollers are definitely better. I would say your weakest link is your HEI. I would upgrade the ignition system first and see how you like it before you rip the engine back apart and if you're going to I'd go with a little more lift on the cam.

[81shortstep]

WILL PROBABLY GET COMP XE-262 . IF I GET HEADS WORKED ON LATER COULD GO TO 1.6 ROCKERS

[Jim Rockford]

roller cam FTW  I will never use a flat tappet anymore, Its just too much trouble trying to break em in  and praying you don't wipe a lobe with todays oils , after spending all that money on special oil to break it in. If your block is cast for a roller, I'd swap one in.

[81shortstep]

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SPECS ON THE LINGENFELTER CAM I MENTIONED, WITH THIS ONE I DONT NEED TO CUT GUIDES DOWN.COULD JUST SWAP SPRINGS OUT ON CAR.I ALREADY HAVE A NEW SET OF FACTORY ROLLER LIFTERS. INEED THE SPIDER AND RETAINERS. THE CAM IS 74216 LINGENFELTER

[81shortstep]

ENDED UP GOING WITH GM 350/ 330 HORSE FLAT TAPPET CAM . GM SAYS IT WORKS WELL WITH THE VORTECH STYLE HEADS.WILL INSTALL IN A WEEK OR SO.

[Irish_Alley]

i thought it was on horse power but they did a Dino on the flat vs roller and i could of swarn they said the flat was better since you didn't have to adjust them every now and then and the results were so close it didn't pay off. i don't know anything about them just what i see

[81shortstep]

INSTALLED GM CAM AND TRUCK RUNS MUCH SMOTHER/ BY THE WAY THE COMP 252 I TOOK OUT HAD 3 LOBES WIPED OUT. ONLY HAD 6000 MILES ON IT. WENT WITH THE GM 350/ 300 CRATE MOTOR CAM . USED ALL GM LIFTERS AND MELONIZED DIST GEAR. BROKE IT IN WITH EOS LUBE. HOPE THIS ONE WORKS OUT. HAS MUCH MORE POWER THAN THE COMP 252 AND IS MUCH SMOOTHER.