5.7 HEMI Vs. 408 Stroker

Thanks for the trouble - I really appreciate it!!!

That is not far from what I was thinking myself. Do you think this is markedly/noticeably/meaningfully better than sticking with a flat tappet, just to save a little bother?

This combo should be fine expecialy with the hughes cam. High lift for the duration. The one nice thing with the roller cam is almost a zero break in. The flat tappet hydraulic has to be broken in with a specific procedure and you realy should use a specific break oil. An oil addative should be added at every oil change too to be extra sure that you don't have a failure. The government had the oil companys take the good stuff out of engine oil because nowadays most engines run roller valve train components and don't need the extra anti friction additives. Has to do with emissions. If you think about haw many times you change the oil in your toy it dosn't add up to that much. Hope I answered your question?