In mentally preparing for my upcoming cam change, I am researching lifters. My local Indy recommended V-Thunder saying that they are hard to beat for the money. Looking at their site, they list a Hy-Rev 875-1, and a Hydraulic Roller lifter 850-1. What's the difference, and which one is right for my 2004 Road King? Stage 1 TC88 plus cams, all else stock. A set of four would be less than 60 bucks. If I would spend 160 on a set of HQ Black Ops lifters, what would that extra hundred dollars do for me?

 

The 875 is for high performance applications and, IIRC, the lifter is "travel limited";the 850 is more suitable for your application.

One thing to remember, four suppliers provide the Comp Cams lifters and the quality varies greatly. Call Comp Cams and ask for Red. Let him know you want a set of 850 lifters, all from Delphi. I know guys that have received sets of four with two Delphi and two brand "x"; the quality difference was noticeable. Comp Cams replaced the two brand "x" with two Delphi. You can avoid that by tallking to Red when you order.

 

So what's the general consensus on the V-Thunders? Are they a quality product? Are they reliable and quiet and all of the things that a lifter should be, or are they a low priced, get what you pay for compromise? Are the Black Ops worth $100 more?

 

The VThunder lifter is basically a small block Chevy lifter made to Harley spec and dimensions; many run them with no issues. I am not sure about the VThunder lifters as I have never taken one apart but the only difference between the Harley "B' lifter and the GM lifter for the small block Chevy lifter is in the diameter of the hole in the cap/pushrod seat. Check out the attached photo.

Like I said, don't know the size of the oil hole in cap of the VThunder lifter but plenty running; no issues.

Remember, if you go this route, call CompCams and speak to Red; tell him you want a set but all Delphi.

Many swear by Black Ops. If you are that worried about lifters, pony up for a set of the Woods directional; they are the best. Personally and IMHO, the VThunder lifters are adequate for a Stage I with cams.

 

I have factory lifters in my engine and they seem to work well. No if I ever do get a set of lifters and say my next step up in cams im looking no further than the woods lifters. I here they r the best from some reputable people on here.
BTW my father installed fueling lifters and they seem to be ok. He is running a SE 255 cam wich is mild.

 

I have installed many different types of lifters over the years when doing cams and builds for others as well as in my own bikes. The HD "B" series lifter is adequate for most mild builds and cams up to about 575 lift and I have used these a lot in mild performance builds. Beyond that I recommend and use the HQ Black Ops, they are a very good piece. I have use many many sets of them without issue and they will help quiet a noisy valve train. I have installed the Wood directional lifter and some will argue this point, I could not tell the difference from stock as far as lifter noise, and they are VERY expensive. Some people swear by the Wood lifters though.

 

When I installed the gear drive cams at 80,000 miles, I put in new "B" lifters at the same time.

When warm the valve train ticks a bit , only at idle, and more so the hotter it gets.

Installed the Black Ops lifters and notice really no discernable difference in the valve train noise, but there is a certain comfort factor knowing they're in there vs the less expensive "B" lifters.

 

"B" lifters are no longer available; the PN is obsolete, it's now the "C" lifter. If you can find any B lifters, it's a crap shoot as to whether you got the Bs that preceded the supplier change. I would run aftermarket before the new C lifters; compare a C with an old B and you will see why. The old Bs were Delphi; the new Cs are manufactured in Mexico; pretty sure it's Mexico.

 

Thanks djl,

I'm happier yet that I went to Black Ops, because I got the "B" lifters just last January. Is it the roller that's different? Way different than the A's I took out!

 

Check the attached photo; everything is different. Not sure about the roller but believe there were changes there as well. The As would bleed down over night and took a while to pump up when the motor was restarted, or so I have been told; never ran a set.

There is some debate about how often to replace lifters. I replace and recommend replacing them every 25K-35K miles. I know, there are motors running with a gazillion miles and the lifters have never been changed but a lifte can go from good to bad in 1000 miles or less. I know two many guys that had one let go and had to spend $1500 to $3000 to repair the damage. A set of VThunders, at $60 a pop is cheap insurance.

Also, new does not mean good. I have opened a set of four and two were good and two made noise.