Rick-Manta Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 As per the title, I'm looking to fit the Kent Cams fast road cam to an unleaded GTE head that will eventually go on my current project. I don't have the part number but it's the mild one, the first on the list so to speak. I need to buy new followers/tappets anyway but am wondering if the hydraulic ones are compatible with high lift camshafts as Kent's website says to use solid. Plus the damn hydraulic ones are just as much of a pain to setup as adjustables anyway! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Yes you can use hydraulics on their cams up to the OP234 fast road/rally Once you get to the OP244 you need solids. If yours is a mild then it will be a OP204 or OP214 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 4, 2016 Author Share Posted August 4, 2016 Thanks very much, that's good news as they're a bit easier to get hold of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchop77 Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Nope, you need the solid followers for all the cams from 214 to 264. They all need the same valve springs and you also need the spacers to replace the rota caps. i did double check the kent catalogue to be sure. HTH Chris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickincrete Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 no you cant use hydraulic ones unless the cam was designed for them as the cam has different ramp angles and the cam would be toast in a few mins of running 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Strange, i have just checked the Kent website and they list solid lifters for all of the Opel range (which is now only 214,234,244 and above) not sure where the old 204 and 214 have gone. But my old Kent catalogue said hydraulic or solid up to the 234. I know i ran an OP234 in an old CIH with hydraulic followers for a couple of years without problems. So wonder if they changed it for an actual problem with running the hydraulics, or for another reason (like selling more solid lifters etc) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchop77 Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 214/234 cams usually came in a kit form with the springs/spacers/solid lifters. I looked yesterday and it did show the 234 with solid lifters on the in the downloadable catalogue. I've never seen hydraulic lifters in the engines i've taken apart that had cams fitted , even the 214's As Nick said its to do with the grind of the ramp angle on the cam, i think its alot more aggressive with solid lifters to get the valve open as quick as possible. HTH Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 Okay thanks guys. Back in the day, I knew of people who did just change the camshaft and subsequently were running with hydraulic lifters (didn't even change them for new). They were mild cams which still made a noticeable-by-driving difference in engine power and didn't seem to have any issues, they weren't even 'lumpy' at idle and cold start, but doesn't mean there wasn't premature wear to the cam lobes later in the cars life. Hmph, well that's me back to square one on the head build, I was only after an extra 10bhp! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickincrete Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 i thought they sold a different cam for each type of lifter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 My OP234 runs with hydraulic lifters, I used the solids Kent supplied to start with but it was so noisy I changed for my spare new hydraulics the engine runs fine. Everything I've read in the past suggests you can use either but for better instant performance you need to go solid lifters. Mine goes just fine! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo3000 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 On 8/10/2016 at 20:39, Rick-Manta said: Okay thanks guys. Back in the day, I knew of people who did just change the camshaft and subsequently were running with hydraulic lifters (didn't even change them for new). They were mild cams which still made a noticeable-by-driving difference in engine power and didn't seem to have any issues, they weren't even 'lumpy' at idle and cold start, but doesn't mean there wasn't premature wear to the cam lobes later in the cars life. Hmph, well that's me back to square one on the head build, I was only after an extra 10bhp! :-D Rick if your only after an extra 10 bhp,which is quite a good power gain over standard,could you not obtain the same gains from a free flowing exhaust and less a restrictive airbox eg something like an Ashley system coupled with a K&N 57I,unless you already have that and want more additional power that is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 Yes, I'll be using a 57i (when I see one for less than £80) and the exhaust will be a custom stainless jobby, once all the underside has been welded up. If that gets me 10bhp then I'd be well 'appy Plus, with high octane fuel, I should be able to advance the timing enough to add a couple more too. While I'm gradually sorting out the head, which is an unleaded one that needs a bit of returning due to rust in storage, I thought to buy one of those drill attachment grinding/polishing kits. Ported, polished, mild lift, exhaust, K&N.. I should easily be on target. Thanks for the replies *refurbing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Interesting thread as I'm just looking at a new cam to sort out running problems on a GTE. Cheeky to ask in this thread but anyone got a performance cam knocking around for sale? cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.