pcmhacking.net

I have done a bit more research on this with the help of that link above, and basically I have come to the conclusion that anything Holden V8 with a roller cam will always cost a small fortune.

So haven’t tried the Pontiac roller lifters, but have found the following brands and part numbers as direct fits.
Elgin HL-4020S
Morel 5337
Howards 91466H
Doug Herberts T5337

I think if you were to weight up the cost Vs benefit especially if you compare a roller Vs FT and the increase in performance the roller cam gives then the costs really aren't to bad.

Roller cams also do away with the anxiety of running in/wiping a lobe because of the oils we use today.....

yeah and you can run more aggressive lob profiles and heavier springs without major wear issues!

This is very true. Problem is the cam I wanted is laughably small. I compared the open area of my cam to a factory VK Group A and it is smaller on the intake and slightly bigger on the exhaust.

that doesn't really matter, its more about if the cam is the best option for your intended application!

best street cam I ever had was a good 15-20 degrees smaller than all my mates, fucking smashed em too and it was drivable

Exactly. One of the gun engine builders on the AV8 forum just built a street roller 355. Fairly basic heads, TP high rise dual manifold running a smallish hydro-roller cam (I think it was 228° In./Ex. but around the .600" valve lift) and made 479hp on engine dyno with a very impressive torque curve to boot all without going over 6500rpm (if memory serves). To compare that with a FT engine you would be looking at a well built motor with a crane 280 or 288 to get similar numbers revving over 7500rpm.

AT TP they built a stock stroke 304, 10.5:1 with 230° 110 lsa Hydro FT cam .514" valve lift to make 400hp as a demonstration of there dual high rise manifold.

These days it less about duration and more about the total lift.

and the earlier you can get to full lift the better!

this is my old streeter 202 the HP wasn't the main thing, it was the nice flat torque curve, it made really good power from 1500-2000 onwards and didn't need to rev it over 5000rpm!