Solid lifter conversion

[jason b]

Hi all,

I am cracking on with my gold top build (slowly!) and was wondering if it is possible to directly swap the hydraulic lifters for solid lifters (like those found in the older 1.6 or 1.9 Cavalier CIH engine for example)?

As far as I am aware, the dimensions are right... however I want to check that it is indeed possible to use solid lifters with the standard C30NE cam and rockers.

This thought mostly stems from the issues people seem to have with the hydraulic ones binding up seemingly at random.

Cheers

Jason

[melinx]

Solid lifters need a different cam lobe profile to those designed for hydraulic lifters

[jason b]

I was aware of cam profile differences, however I was wondering if in this specific case it is possible. I imagine the standard hydraulic cam grind doesn't have a ridiculously brutal ramp angle on it and hence maybe a solid lifter would work with it.

Evidently running a hydraulic lifter on a solid cam grind would be bad, but in my head the opposite case (solid lifter on hydraulic grind) should be ok.

Thanks
Jason

[melinx]

It is possible to run a solid lifter on the hydraulic cam profile as many who have jammed hydraulic lifters are doing exactly that

It does however make the engine very 'clattery' and you will lose power.