Roller Lifter Time

I am officially shopping for a set of link bar mechanical roller lifters. My original plans had me using all Lunati valve train components but with Holley selling them off recently I began to have reservations, plus it appears that the new owners have raised prices quite a bit.

So whose lifter do you like? Whose do you not like? This is my first roller cam set up so I am in uncharted territory. I know I would like to stay in that $350 price range if possible. I will be making a purchase this week so any guidance is appreciated.

I am also considering the Miller Mid-Lift rockers if anyone has any feedback to share on those as well.

This is for my +.040 351W alcohol injected bracket engine.

I reply to my own post. How twisted is that?

I was searching around some more and came across Competition Products. Anybody shop there? Seem to have pretty good prices.

They carry Howards lifters and rockers and they really have a nice price point. I used Howards lifters on my SFT setup last time out and didn't have any lifter related issues. Anyone running their roller products?

I've never used Howard's rollers. I have used their rods. I liked them.

Biggest thing to remember is to NOT SKIMP on anything valve train related. Excellent springs, retainers, keepers, pushrods, and lifters. I personally like Crower lifters. Dad has a set in his car. Light and strong. I have a set of Comp lifters in mine...over 2000 passes and they're still going. I inspect them often, though. I also have a set of Miller rockers. I can't say enough good about them. For the price, you simply can't beat them! There are better rockers out there but you're going to pay over a grand for 'em.

Nothing better than Isky Redzones, in your price point anyways. You cant rebuild a crower, keep that in mind.

Oh I just saw the 350 point, just use an 838-16 comp then.

Woody, I guess I'm a bit surprised to see you respond to a thread of mine.

How you doin'?

I cant breathe over here, Im covered up with work, just toiling away. Seriously the comp 838's are working real well now that they have the direct oiling to the wheel. I broke countless old solid roller comps on the street with hefty spring pressure.

Mavman, your response is a bit like nailing jello to the wall.

For lifters, at $600 a set the Crowers have taken themselves out of the running. But price alone can't be the determining factor, can it? The Comp 838-16 are at the $350 mark, and the Howards are over $100 less than that.

Kind of the same on rockers, Crowers are BIG $$$, Crane Golds are in the mix, Lunati's are up around $400, the Howards are around $230, and the Millers are $160. I too have heard good reviews of the Millers from multiple sources, and that makes the decision difficult as well. They are almost too inexpensive, y' know?

These are all names that have always held a solid reputation for quality speed parts, so wherein lies the major difference?

My heads are not the best on the planet, some say they are 2nd only to the worst. I have a mix of good and so-so parts in them: SBI stainless 1 pc valves, Comp springs, Comp titanium retainers and Comp keepers.

At my anticipated power level I just can't justify the uber $$ for everything, although I am going to tie it all together with Smith Bros. push rods, and they ain't exactly free.

At this point I am leaning more towards the Howards and plan to give them a call tomorrow and solicit their 'unbiased' opinion. All things being equal, $500 for rockers and lifters vs $700 is pretty substantial, to me.

Kind of a rambling post and probably didn't make much sense, but it's getting late and I'm tired.

Check out atlantic speed on Ebay. I just bought a set of comp cams Endure-x roller lifters for $338.00 and a comp cams XR-286-R solid roller cam for $245.00. I also got my springs and retainers there as well much cheaper than jegs or summit. But like always there is a catch.... My AFR heads have 1.45" springa and my new springs are 1.525" so now I got to have my heads machined. Whats the goning rate on cutting spring pockets?

Well, I just spoke with Howards and my combination is well within the specs for their components so unless anyone has a horror story to share regarding Howards lifters or rockers it looks like that will be the direction I take.

347LX thanks for the reference to Atlantic but as you can see I'm going with Howards. As to cutting the pockets, I just don't know. Mine were already cut for 1.55" so I was safe. Call a few machine shops?

And a lesson I recently learned is to pay the extra $$$ and use a machinist that lives and breathes high performance. A small engine shop or mom & pop rebuilder ain't gonna bring happiness no matter how inexpensive it is.

I wish I knew about the prices on those howard's a week ago I prob. would have snagged them up instead of the comp cams stuff, Always a day late and a dollar short!