[tmarlow]

Can anyone tell me the diffrences and pros & cons of a Hydraulic vs. Solid Cam. I am looking to possibly buy a crate engine from Summit (496 stroker big block 500hp) with a hydraulic cam. I just want to find out if I'm going to be happy with it...
Thanks!

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[novaderrik]

solids are for people that just have to have what the "race car" guys have, or that just want to get the max out of their combo. some just like the tic-tic-tic-tic noise it makes. some say they are quiet. some just want it because..well, it sounds cooler to say you have a solid cam. hydraulics are for those of us that like the valvetrain nice and quiet and maintainance free, even if it means giving up a little on the top end. i have a hydraulic roller in my car, and it zings past 7200 rpm any time i want, so they can rev with the best of them, and the valve adjustment has held for 2 summers and 20,000 miles.maybe with a solid i would have had to pop the covers off at least once to adjust things.i think about 99% of the population would rather have a hydraulic.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

[This message has been edited by novaderrik (edited 01-08-2002).]

 

[SY1]

Hydraulics are the way to go today especially since most motors are longer stroke and don't require the higher rpm ranges to make decent horsepower.

Novaderrik I usually agree with you except I have to point out something here. I like 302s and 332s. With the short stroke 7200 rpm isn't near the top of my rpm range. I need the solid cam to take full advantage of the short stroke small blocks. Solid cams can be very easy to live with if you set up your valvetrain correctly. It is very rare I need to set the lash on my solid cams during a summer even when the cars were being street driven a lot. They don't lose their lash if you build them right machining the studs and use posi lock nuts and stud girdles, new rockers and the correct springs and set them right. I know a lot of people don't take the time to do it right and then complain about setting valves every other weekend, I have never had that problem. Sorry just had to get that off my chest.
Dave

 

[RickD]

There will always be two camps on this. I have a solid lifter cam, adjustments hold all summer and I like it. It's a personal choice for many depending on your interest, skills, etc.

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Rick Dorion
69 RS Conv,355,M20,4.10's and I don't worry about stone chips.