How to find the right Automotive Performance Engine Lifters AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Automotive Performance Engine Lifters
- Lifter type must match the cam
- Hydraulic or solid, flat tappet or roller, as the cam card specifies The wrong lifter type destroys the cam or valvetrain.
- Body diameter
- Match the bore size, for example 0.842 inch for Chevrolet, 0.875 inch for Ford and 0.904 inch for Chrysler The bore size is fixed by the block.
- Roller retention style
- Use link-bar rollers in non-roller blocks, and OEM-style rollers with factory trays or dog-bones in roller blocks Roller lifters must be kept from rotating or they wipe the cam.
- Spring pressure and rpm rating
- Choose roller lifters rated for your spring pressure and rpm Needle bearing and axle failures are the main roller lifter failure.
- Flat tappet break-in
- Use new lifters with a new cam, high-zinc oil and the cam maker's break-in procedure Flat tappets wear to their specific lobe during break-in.
Brands that matter
- COMP Cams: The widest range of hydraulic, solid and link-bar rollers.
- Johnson Lifters: Hydraulic and solid roller lifters.
- Morel: Race and performance lifters.
- Crower: Solid roller race lifters.
- Isky: Race lifters.
- Lunati: Hydraulic and solid lifters.
- Brian Tooley Racing: Lifters for LS and Gen V engines.
What to avoid
- Reusing flat-tappet lifters on a new cam
- Unbranded roller lifters for high-spring-pressure builds
- Mixing up used lifters when reinstalling on the same cam
Questions
Can I reuse my lifters?
Never reuse flat tappets on a new cam. Healthy roller lifters can go back in, in their original bores.