Nice, found your project thread
I have also considered solid lifters, as the gains on the 16v head are much greater imho that the 8v head. Even on the out of the factory it gained a lot over the 8v head.
I wonder what the 1.4 turbo SS engines run in regards to lifters? They are making about 180bhp aren't they?
If you are interested in researching this, I have a 16v head, and extension with cams fitted that you are more than welcome to borrow for research, measurements, development etc.
The parts are from a starjet, so the cam profile may be slightly different, (plus there is a difference in the intake path and on the exhaust cam)
Let me know if your interested
//edit, think panda seats could fit a sei?
Kristian
//EDIT2 -- You can leave the head off the engine, and torque down the cylinder head extension to it. This will engage the cams with the hydralic lifters, and therefore the valves. If you were to replace the hydralic with solid lifters, and rotate to cam to measure the valve movement with a dial gauge, you could find the exact point they don't fully close, then reduce the lifter height a small amount to set the exact shim height? Sound's like a lot of work, but is this a feasible way of doing it?