Summit Racing™ Lifters

Part Type Summary

Transfers motion from the camshaft’s lobes to the engine's valves
Hydraulic lifters use oil pressure to automatically maintain proper valve lash
Mechanical...

Part Type Summary

Transfers motion from the camshaft’s lobes to the engine's valves
Hydraulic lifters use oil pressure to automatically maintain proper valve lash
Mechanical lifters require manual adjustments to maintain the proper valve clearance
Flat tappet lifters must be used with flat tappet cams to facilitate proper lifter rotation and wear
Roller lifters must be used with roller cams—they use link bars or lifter guides to maintain proper alignment

Summit Racing lifters, also known as engine lifters and tappets, are essential components in an internal combustion engine's valvetrain system. Their primary function is to...

Part Type Summary

Transfers motion from the camshaft’s lobes to the engine's valves
Hydraulic lifters use oil pressure to automatically maintain proper valve lash
Mechanical lifters require manual adjustments to maintain the proper valve clearance
Flat tappet lifters must be used with flat tappet cams to facilitate proper lifter rotation and wear
Roller lifters must be used with roller cams—they use link bars or lifter guides to maintain proper alignment

Summit Racing lifters, also known as engine lifters and tappets, are essential components in an internal combustion engine's valvetrain system. Their primary function is to convert the camshaft lobe profile into motion at the valves, ensuring they open and close at the appropriate times for optimal performance. There are several different types of lifters to consider. The choice that is right for you will depend on your existing engine components and performance goals.

Hydraulic Lifters

Hydraulic lifters use oil pressure to automatically adjust to the distance between the rocker arm and the valve step (zero valve lash). This feature compensates for wear and helps maintain proper valve clearance, resulting in quieter operation and reduced maintenance.

Mechanical Lifters

Mechanical lifters, also known as “solid lifters,” require manual adjustments to maintain proper valve clearance (lash). Although they typically offer better performance for high-revving engines with aggressive cam profiles, they also necessitate more frequent adjustment.

Roller Lifters

A variation of both hydraulic and solid lifters, roller lifters feature a roller wheel at the bottom of the lifter where it comes into contact with the camshaft. This reduces friction and wear for more efficient operation. Roller lifters use various styles of link bars or lifter guides, which align the roller wheel to the camshaft lobe and keep the lifter from spinning in its bore.

Flat Tappet Lifters

Flat tappet lifters are also available in both hydraulic and solid varieties. Flat tappet camshafts and lifters work together through the contact between a crowned lifter face and a slight taper on the cam lobe, which encourages the lifter to rotate within the bore, promoting even cam wear. It is crucial to follow the correct break-in procedure and use non-detergent engine oil that contains a zinc additive for optimal wear protection.

For optimal performance and proper interaction between the lifters and camshaft, controlled friction and adequate lubrication are necessary during the break-in period. If the camshaft manufacture break-in procedure is not performed correctly, the lifters may not rotate as intended, leading to uneven wear and potential camshaft failure.

Avoid mixing lifter and camshaft types; hydraulic lifters should only be used with hydraulic camshafts, and solid lifters should only be paired with solid cams. This also applies to flat tappet and roller cams.

FAQ Section:

Q. Do roller lifters require break-in?

A. Yes, breaking in an engine with a roller camshaft and lifters is essential. During the break-in process, metal particles can be generated, which can pose a significant risk to the bearings in the roller lifters. Most camshafts come with specific break-in procedures. It’s important to note that the specific instructions for your camshaft may differ. Whenever possible, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Q. What is better, hydraulic or solid lifters?

A. The camshaft will dictate what type of lifter is required. The better question is, what type of cam is better? Each type of camshaft and lifter (as described above) has its own place and specific applications based on intended use. For unique classic engines or in-line six-cylinder engines, hydraulic flat tappet cams are often the only option without a custom grind. Roller cams have a superior design due to reduced wear, less friction, and a longer lifespan. They provide more aggressive lift profiles, enabling better airflow, and they require less of a break-in period and no special oils, but come with an added up-front cost of a higher base price and more expensive lifters.

Q. How do you diagnose lifter problems?

A. To diagnose hydraulic lifter problems, you typically start by listening for a tapping or clicking noise from the engine, which may occur when the engine is either cold or hot. On modern, computer-controlled engines, misfire codes can also provide valuable information. Other diagnostic methods include using a stethoscope to pinpoint the source of the noise.

Q. Is it worth fixing a lifter?

A. In nearly all situations, replacing a lifter is more cost-effective than repairing it. While you can reuse a flat tappet camshaft with new lifters, the reverse is not possible—if you change a flat tappet cam, you must replace lifters. If you decide to use new lifters on an existing flat tappet cam, you must follow a break-in procedure that mirrors that of a new flat tappet camshaft. Roller lifters can be reused with roller camshafts as long as they are inspected and found to be in good condition.

Q. Can I use roller lifters on a flat tappet cam?

A. You cannot use roller lifters with a flat tappet camshaft. Roller lifters and flat tappet lifters are specifically designed for different types of camshaft lobes. Flat tappet cams rely on a slight taper and crown on the lobe to create rotation in the lifter, while roller lifters have a wheel that contacts a flat lobe. Using the wrong type of lifters will cause damage to both the camshaft and the lifters.

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Summit Racing™ Performance LS7 Hydraulic Lifters SUM-HT215-16

Summit Racing™ Performance LS7 Hydraulic Lifters SUM-HT215-16

Lifters, Hydraulic Roller, 0.842 in O.D., Not for AFM-equipped Engines, Chevy, LS7, Delphi, Set of 16

Part Number: SUM-HT215-16

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