If you're looking to extract more performance and reliability from your engine, converting from a flat tappet camshaft to a roller camshaft is a powerful upgrade. This transition offers a host of benefits that can significantly enhance your vehicle’s performance, especially in high-revving, high-horsepower applications. Here’s what you need to know about making the switch.

Why Upgrade to a Roller Cam?

1. Reduced Friction and Wear: Flat tappet camshafts rely on lifters with a flat surface that slides directly on the cam lobes, creating significant friction. Roller cams, on the other hand, use lifters equipped with small rollers that follow the camshaft lobes. This design dramatically reduces friction, leading to less wear on both the camshaft and lifters.

2. Enhanced Performance: One of the biggest advantages of a roller camshaft is the ability to use more aggressive cam profiles. This allows for quicker valve opening and closing, which improves airflow and combustion efficiency, ultimately resulting in more horsepower and torque.

3. Improved Longevity: Roller cams typically last longer than flat tappet cams. The reduced friction not only minimizes wear but also allows the engine to maintain performance over a longer period, making it a more durable choice for high-performance engines.

What You’ll Need for the Conversion

Before you start, ensure you have the following components:

• Roller Camshaft: Choose a cam profile that suits your performance goals, whether it’s for stock, street use, racing, or towing.
• Retro-Fit Roller Lifters: Essential for the conversion, as they replace the flat tappet lifters.
• Pushrods: Depending on your engine and camshaft choice, you may need different length pushrods.
• Valve Springs: Ensure your valve springs are compatible with the new camshaft’s lift and duration.
• Camshaft Retainer Plate: If your engine doesn’t have one, you’ll need it to secure the camshaft in place.
• Thrust Button: Cam lobes on roller camshafts are flat, so a thrust button is used to ensure that the camshaft does not shift forward or backwards in the block. Use this in addition to a retainer plate.
• Timing Set: An excellent time to replace a potentially worn out chain set.
• Distributor Gear: Some roller camshafts require a compatible distributor gear, typically made of bronze or composite material.

Conclusion

In today’s environment with new oil formulations, moving to a roller cam is a worthwhile endeavor. Prices are becoming more reasonable on this upgrade as it has become popular and as old style flat tappet applications are becoming more expensive and harder to source.