The folklore and bench race experts on this subject is amazing. I went thru the engineering pros/cons of this and its relatively simple. First you have to determine what is the objective of the eng? Drag racer, street/race, need reliabilty? Want to driver to the event. When you determine this-the decision easily follows.
Basics: roller lifters are heavy(axels, needle bearings,etc,etc, roller cams have more aggressive ramps. Big cams turn more rpms. Now here is the problem. heavy lifters rolling over agressive cam ramps/tops have to have hugh springs to keep the roller from motocrossing off the top of the cam at high rpm. If the roller leaves the cam surface, resulting in impact landings, bearing shortly fail. So a high rpm, roller setup has to have big cam, high spring pressures and fast wear. Thats why the lifters are rebuilt and spring replaced every yr. Now the 100,000 mi roller story: stock engines, little cams, 5000 rpm max and little springs will last forever.
If you want a 6000 rpm eng, hyd rollers are fine and the best solution. If you want a 7000 rpm, go solids(light lifter don't need excessive springs)
If you want a non- street reliable 95% race mill, solid rollers will product the most hp. After defining my engine requirements(very hot street that I could drive to an event and get home) My engine builder said there is only one choice with my requirements of SB stoker, 500 hp, 7000 rpm and reliabily -solids.
2fastforu; with BB stoker; your choice is based on your objectives: 6K rpm-hdy roller. With those hugh heads you might be going higher rpms then solid tappets is the only choice that will be reliable with minimum maintenace. My eng builder "refused to put in rollers and the extra $800 because I wanted a driver and not a trailor car.
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