Hydraulic cam with solid lifter conversion?

[lsmith]

Hello, 

I recently purchased an s15 (sr20det) that sounds like a tractor, the owner assured me that it was due to solid lifters he installed with the last rebuild. However after a wee cam inspection I suspect that his engine builder installed camtech hydraulic cams (the lobes are very broad). Has anyone got any experience with this situation? Any idea what effect it will have on the power curve or if I'm likely to break anything?

Cheers

Edited February 10, 2017 by lsmith

[MJTru]

Believe it or not it's the camshaft sprocket. Vvti. Vtech. From what I know SR20 has no solid lifter. The have a lifter retainer that keeps them from jumping out. I have no idea how you would run a solid lifter on a SR20 as the lifter isn't under the cam. It's offset and uses a rocker arm to press the valves open. Lifter retainer are made out of stainless steel iirc. And keeps them in place at high rpms. I would replace both vtech cam sprockets as there notorious for valve train noise. Sound like tractor. Providing oil pressure is good and solenoid are good and all electrics to solenoid is ok.

[MJTru]

See look at the lifters

[lsmith]

Hmmm probably should been more clear, this isn't a stock sr20det. The engine has been built (forged pistons, manley rods, rockers stoppers, head studs, etc) and has a solid lifter conversion.... which in this case just means solid pivots, guides and shims. e.g. http://www.tomeiusa.com/_2003web-catalogue/e098_pivot2.html

The VVT has been removed and adjustable cam sprockets added. 

EDIT: From what I've read there are different cams profiles for solid (mine) vs hydraulic pivots (standard), so I'm wondering what effect mismatched cams would have...

Edited February 10, 2017 by lsmith

[MJTru]

Ok that's better. If it has solid lifters then. The clear is critical. Sounds to be like it's all mest up clearance wise. I can remember a mate of mine doing a video of how he does the clearance. I'll see if I can add a link in here