Money vs Horsepower
I figured one of the drawbacks on the solid flat would be the idle, but I don't mind that so much. I have never ran anything on my mopars but mild hyd flat cams and stock rockers, so even though I've been tinkering with my engines for almost 20 years, this is a fairly steep (and expensive) learning curve for me.
I bought the shortblock used (barely) for less than the price of a cast stroker kit, so I can't complain. But, were I to build it, it would have been the typical build with less compression, and no bushed lifter bores.
As for not using a hydraulic, I understand all the arguements. All the information here has been super-useful to me. I guess they all have their shortcomings and limitations. Honestly, I'd rather just use a hyd flat and put it together and drive it...but I'm a sucker for learning something new.
I can't use a hydraulic, be it flat tappet or roller, because of the bushed lifter bores (at least that is my understanding...)
I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread tho. Keep it going! I am pretty set on the solid flat tappet at this point, but, I have the roller cam still, so who knows...