A different "what cam" thread

There are often posts about what camshaft to get. It will entirely depend on the desire as to what you want to get from the engine with the ensuing discussion of the combination.
This post is not about X lift vs Y duration vs Z lobe separation. This is about what type of camshaft you might want to consider, or in other words what type lifter. Here is my humble take on what I’ve learned.

Hydraulic flat tappet -

Advantages -

1) Lower overall cost.
2) Possible to use some stock components (rocker arms, push rods, springs but depends on cam).
3) Less maintenance.

Disadvantages -

1) Engine must have working tune on initial startup to break in the cam. If the tune is too far off and engine won’t start or run to breaking RPM you could wipe the cam.
2) Lifter quality has been very iffy as of late.

Solid flat tappet -

Advantages -

1) Lower overall cost.
2) Possible to use a more radical cam.

Disadvantages -

1) Engine must have working tune on initial startup to break in the cam. If the tune is too far off and engine won’t start or run to breaking RPM you could wipe the cam.
2) Lifter quality has been very iffy as of late.
3) Requires adjustable rocker arms.
4) May need different push rods, possibly custom made.
5) May need new valve springs to match camshaft.
6) Valve Clearance must be set and maintained regularly.

Hydraulic roller tappet -

Advantages -

1) No real break in procedure.
2) Possible to use a more radical cam.

Disadvantages -

1) More expensive – will most likely to need to buy complete valve train...cam and lifters are more expensive than either flat tappet type.
3) May require adjustable rocker arms.
4) May need different push rods, possibly custom made.
5) Will need new valve springs to match camshaft.
6) Valve Clearance may have to be set and maintained regularly if using adjustable rocker arms.
7) Block may require special machining to accommodate roller lifter.
8) Will most likely require the use of a bronze intermediate shaft gear or a specially treated iron gear. There are some hydraulic roller cams that have an iron gear pressed on instead of billet. If so, stock type iron gear on intermediate shaft will work.

Solid roller tappet -

Advantages -

1) No real break in procedure.
2) Possible to use a much more radical cam.

Disadvantages -

1) More expensive – will most likely to need to buy complete valve train...cam and lifters are more expensive than either flat tappet type.
3) Will require adjustable rocker arms.
4) May need different push rods, possibly custom made.
5) Will need new valve springs to match camshaft.
6) Valve Clearance will have to be set and maintained regularly.
7) Will require the use of a bronze gear on intermediate shaft.
8) Block may require special machining to accommodate roller lifter.

All of the above will depend on what you are starting with. My engine came from the factory with a hydraulic roller cam and I chose to go with the same when upgrading. However, if I had to do over again I would have gone with a solid roller cam. Too many potential problems with the current stock of flat tappets. I had to buy a complete valve train anyway...should just have gone solid.

What say you?