I help folks with a lot of cams, different makes and mfg’s, and don’t really expect there will ever be a best lifter that works for everything. It just seems different lifters work better for different applications and cam profiles. One size does not fit all with HR lifters.
Gaterman lifters are a good lifter, maybe even the best lifter when you include their QC. They are basically an updated Crane lifter. Bill Gaterman (owner) worked at Crane Cams before we started his Gaterman mfg company. He had many Patents licensed to Crane. He made some good upgrades to his HR Crane lifters with some multi positioned pin oiling improvements. I wish he would make them here in the US, instead of China. I believe they are assembled here. But overall I can not say that quality has been an issue from his off shore mfg sources. His bigger issue has been keeping lifters in stock. If you can’t buy them it doesn’t matter how good they are. He seems to focus on LS lifters, and supplies lifters for some other companies like Howard’s, often the retrofit stuff is out of stock. If you can find them, Gaterman are a solid choice.
Comp evolutions can run very aggressive cams with beehive type spring packages and lighter valve terrains, but they do not do well at all with heavy dual springs and aggressive cams. On a mild cam with average spring pressures they seem work very well. Probably my #2 pick behind Gaterman’s. If you want to run a lot of spring pressure and stick with something from Comp you’re better off with the old lifter design. Either comp option is a decent choice also for what was described. QC is not close to the Gaterman.
Morel lifters are often rebranded, need extra seat timing to let the lifter recover or they almost always clatter, but they have the most robust floating pin design and very ridged bodies. If you subtract the .006” tappet seat timing rating from the .050” rating, and it is less that 54*, I would not use a regular Morel. I think 53* the absolute min on a standard Morel, and it will probably take a couple extra lifters to get a quiet set. The best results for Morels are 55* and up with a stock type profile. Not enough detail to say if these are a good choice or not. QC is decent, with the exception of blead rates.
Johnson or Morel short travel lifters will turn a lot of RPMs with a lot of spring pressure, but they do not last all that well for regular street driving. Probably not as long as a good SR set up. If you want to turn a lot of RPM’s with a lot of spring pressure on a HR cam, those are probably the best 2 options. I would pick the Morel over the Johnson because of the floating pins for more racing. For more street I would pick the Johnson short travels. If it can run a .842” lifter with a bushed lifter bore and you can afford the best I then I think the bushed Isky HPx made by Johnson is best. I don’t think there is a close second, they can run 190 seat and 525 lbs of spring pressure. These are more designed for racing than extended street driving.
The limited travel Johnson lifters are a good fit for most average HR cams with moderate springs, higher quality QC than Comp. Crower HR lifters are made by Johnson. These often are a decent compromise lifter that will handle a good amount of spring pressure with an aggressive cam. For a good sized cam with not much seat timing with dual springs they probably are just under the Gatermans, and ahead of Comps options. Hylift Johnson is similar to Johnson for most things, probably slightly better dependability, and have a pin oiling option, but lack the valving to support high RPM stuff unless the cam is less aggressive, and are not all that competitively priced. These are also good choices for what was described in that .5” lift mild cam range.
