roller is far better then flat lifter if it was not then why are all the new engines built this way ? not really new old air plane engine used them .with oil the way it is with no zinc and some stuff not very hi in quality. roller is the way to go failure from wiping a cam on a bad break in is not going to happen with a roller .if a mildHYD roller cam your not using much spring and for a good build up it is about the same spring as you would use with a soild flat lifter cam the lifters and cam is were the money will be at .i build all my mild and race engines with roller cams. i like the hyd roller cams for mild street it will cost a bit more but if you wip a cam then it is a cheap way to go in the long run and i sleep better at night knowing enging i built for a guy is not going to wipe if he can not fire it rigth off roller are not bullet poof if you over rev a hyd cam you can break the tie bar and bust stuff up or bend valve s and if you run a big cam and not check stuff like springs or lifters for wear them you will get what you ask for i have a customer like taking has 427 to 7500+ all the time and never checks any thing but oil i told him to check stuff so every 4 or so years i re build his 427