Engine Masters — Season 1, Episode 16: Roller vs. Flat-Tappet Cams!

Episode synopsis

Do you want to spend big bucks on a hydraulic roller cam setup or low bucks on the old-school flat-tappet cam? The answer depends on your desire for power and durability, and this episode of Engine Masters will spell out the differences in the two camshaft designs so you can decide what's best for your car. The test engine here is a 500hp, 400ci small-block Chevy crate engine from BluePrint Engines, and the camshafts and lifters are from Isky Racing Cams.

About Engine Masters

Auto parts testing and engine-to-engine shootouts.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Dyno Proven: 50 HP With One Bolt-On!
• E2Carburetor vs EFI Shootout!
• E3383 Chevy vs. 383 Mopar!
• E4Exhaust Header Bash! Testing Power Loss From Dents
• E5Hellcat Power with a 5.7 Hemi
• E6Are CNC-Ported Cylinder Heads Worth the Money?
• E7Holley vs. Edelbrock, Tri-Power vs. Dual-Quad!
• E8Battle of Budget Boost! Centrifugal vs. Roots, Paxton vs. Weiand
• E9The Power of 2.5- vs. 3-Inch Exhaust
• E10600hp Camshaft Shootout! Hydraulic vs. Solid.
• E11Stroker Shootout! Ford vs. Mopar 408s
• E12Pick The Right Exhaust Headers!