If you drive a 5.7L HEMI, you already know the sound that haunts these engines: the dreaded HEMI tick. The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifters and the standard hydraulic roller lifters in the Eagle 5.7 are the usual culprits, and once a lifter starts collapsing or its roller seizes, it can chew up a camshaft lobe in short order. Replacing them with quality lifters is a very important repairs you can make on a 345 HEMI, whether you are chasing down a tick or doing preventive maintenance during a cam swap.
We focused on what actually matters for this engine: roller pin durability, bore fit, MDS compatibility (or a clean MDS delete), and how well each set holds up under heat and high mileage. Below are seven lifter options that real HEMI owners trust, ranked from the most complete and bulletproof set down to solid budget-conscious replacements. Whether you want a full 16-piece set with non-MDS lifters or a straight OEM swap, there is a pick here for your build.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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COMP Cams 5.7/6.4 HEMI Hydraulic Roller Lifter Set (Short Travel) Best Overall 16-piece short-travel hydraulic roller lifters, MDS-delete style, for 5.7/6.1/6.4 HEMI |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Hylift Johnson HEMI Hydraulic Roller Lifters (OEM-Spec Set) Best OEM Replacement OEM-equivalent hydraulic roller lifters, available in MDS and non-MDS configurations |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Sealed Power HT-2148 Hydraulic Roller Valve Lifter Best Single Lifter Individual OEM-spec hydraulic roller lifter, sold per unit for targeted replacement |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Dorman 420-100 MDS Lifter and Yoke Assembly Kit Best MDS-Specific Kit Complete MDS lifter, yoke, and retainer assembly kit for cylinder-deactivation cylinders |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Melling JB-2148 Hydraulic Roller Lifter Best for Reliability OEM-spec hydraulic roller lifter from a veteran engine-component manufacturer |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Enginetech HEMI 5.7 Lifter Set with Guides Best Value Set 16-piece hydraulic roller lifter set including the plastic lifter guides |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mopar 5.7 HEMI Genuine MDS Lifter (53021720AE) Best Genuine Mopar Genuine Mopar MDS deactivation lifter, exact factory part for MDS cylinders |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. COMP Cams 5.7/6.4 HEMI Hydraulic Roller Lifter Set (Short Travel): Best Overall
COMP Cams built this set specifically for the HEMI valvetrain, and it is our top pick because it solves the root cause of most 5.7 tick complaints rather than just replacing like-for-like. By supplying 16 standard (non-MDS) hydraulic roller lifters, it lets you delete the cylinder-deactivation lifters that fail most often, while the short-travel internals keep the valvetrain stable when you spin the engine hard. The roller wheels and needle bearings are clearly built for abuse, which is exactly what you want if you are pairing these with an aftermarket cam.
The honest weakness is that an MDS delete is not plug and play. Once you remove the MDS lifters, you need a tune or a proper MDS-delete kit to stop the PCM from throwing codes and to block the deactivation oil galleries. For owners doing a full cam package that is no extra work, but for someone who just wanted a quiet drop-in fix, the added tuning step is a real consideration. Get past that, and this is the most durable, most complete answer to the HEMI tick on this list.
- Full 16-lifter set with non-MDS replacements to eliminate the MDS failure point entirely
- Short-travel internals reduce pump-up at high RPM and improve valvetrain stability
- Heat-treated roller wheels and pins rated for aggressive aftermarket cam profiles
Pros: Deletes the troublesome MDS lifters in one shot; Holds up to high-lift, high-RPM cams better than stock; Complete set means no mixing old and new lifters
Cons: MDS delete requires a tune or MDS-delete kit to avoid codes; Premium positioning over a basic OEM swap
2. Hylift Johnson HEMI Hydraulic Roller Lifters (OEM-Spec Set): Best OEM Replacement
Hylift Johnson is one of the names that actually supplies lifters to original-equipment manufacturers, so buying their HEMI set is about as close to a genuine factory replacement as you can get without a Mopar box. For owners who want to keep their 5.7 bone stock and simply restore it to quiet, reliable operation, this is the smart move. The roller bearings are precision ground and the bore fit is spot on, so installation is a clean drop-in when you order the right variant for your engine.
That last point is the catch. The 5.7 HEMI came in both MDS and non-MDS forms, and these lifters are configuration specific, so you have to confirm exactly what your engine uses before ordering or you will end up with the wrong parts. And if you do keep the MDS lifters, you are reinstalling the same design that tends to fail down the road. As a faithful OEM-spec restoration, though, the quality is excellent and the operation is whisper quiet.
- Made by the original-equipment lifter supplier for many domestic V8 engines
- Available in correct MDS and non-MDS variants to match your exact 5.7 configuration
- Precision-ground roller bearings for quiet, factory-smooth operation
Pros: True OEM-quality manufacturing and tolerances; Direct fit with no tuning required when matched correctly; Trusted name among professional engine builders
Cons: You must order the exact MDS or non-MDS version for your engine; Does not address MDS design weakness if you keep MDS lifters
3. Sealed Power HT-2148 Hydraulic Roller Valve Lifter: Best Single Lifter
Sometimes you tear into the engine, find a single collapsed lifter, and the lobe is still good. In that case buying a complete 16-piece set is overkill, and the Sealed Power HT-2148 is the answer. It is an OEM-spec hydraulic roller lifter sold one at a time, with the same roller and pin quality that has made Sealed Power a staple on parts shelves for decades. The fit into a standard HEMI bore is correct and the operation is quiet once bled and installed.
The thing to be honest about is that lifters tend to fail as a group once an engine has miles on it. Replacing just the one that died can leave you back inside the engine months later when its neighbor goes. For a low-mileage engine with a clearly isolated failure it makes sense, but on a high-mileage HEMI most builders would rather do all 16 at once. Used the right way, this is a quality, sensible single-unit fix.
- Sold individually so you can replace only the failed lifters
- OEM-grade roller and pin construction from a long-trusted brand
- Direct fit for standard non-MDS HEMI lifter bores
Pros: Lets you fix one bad lifter without buying a full set; Reliable, widely available, and easy to source; Consistent quality from a proven parts maker
Cons: Replacing only one risks others failing soon after; Not an MDS lifter, so check your bore positions
4. Dorman 420-100 MDS Lifter and Yoke Assembly Kit: Best MDS-Specific Kit
If you want to keep your MDS system working and the failure is on the deactivation side, the Dorman 420-100 kit is purpose-built for the job. The MDS lifters use special yokes and retainers that the standard roller lifters do not, and this kit bundles all of that hardware together so you are not hunting for individual clips and brackets. For a clean repair that keeps the factory fuel-saving system intact, it is a tidy, well-thought-out package.
The limitation is right there in the design: this kit only addresses the MDS cylinders, so it is a partial repair rather than a full lifter refresh. And because it reinstalls the MDS lifters, you are keeping the very system that many HEMI owners eventually delete for reliability. If your goal is to stay factory and your standard lifters are fine, it works well. If you are chasing long-term added security, a non-MDS delete set is the stronger play.
- Includes the MDS lifters plus the yokes and retainers in one box
- Direct replacement for the deactivation cylinders on MDS-equipped 5.7 engines
- Bundles the small hardware that is easy to lose or damage during the job
Pros: All MDS-specific hardware in a single kit; Keeps the factory MDS system functional; Good value for a complete deactivation-side repair
Cons: Only covers the MDS cylinders, not all 16 lifters; Retains the MDS design rather than deleting it
5. Melling JB-2148 Hydraulic Roller Lifter: Best for Reliability
Melling has spent decades building oil pumps and valvetrain hardware for domestic V8s, so a Melling lifter carries real engineering credibility. The JB-2148 is an OEM-spec hydraulic roller unit with a precision bearing that runs quietly and treats the camshaft lobe gently, which is exactly what you want when reliability is the priority over raw performance. Bore fit is correct for standard HEMI positions and installation is straightforward.
Like the other single-unit options, the catch is quantity. Building a complete 16-lifter set out of individual Melling pieces means ordering a lot of them, and the small hardware costs add up against a packaged set. It is also a non-MDS lifter, so you have to be sure of your engine configuration before you start. For owners who trust the Melling name and want dependable, quiet operation, it is a rock-solid choice for the standard cylinders.
- Built by a long-established maker of oil pumps and valvetrain parts
- Precision roller bearing for quiet operation and reduced lobe wear
- Drop-in fit for standard non-MDS HEMI lifter locations
Pros: Strong reputation for valvetrain and oiling components; Consistent tolerances and reliable long-term operation; Easy to source and match to standard bores
Cons: Sold individually, so a full set adds up in quantity; Non-MDS only, so confirm your lifter positions
6. Enginetech HEMI 5.7 Lifter Set with Guides: Best Value Set
Enginetech specializes in complete engine-rebuild kits, and their HEMI lifter set reflects that whole-job mindset. You get all 16 hydraulic roller lifters plus the plastic guides that keep the rollers aligned, so you can refresh the entire valvetrain in a single purchase without piecing it together. For an owner doing a full tick repair on a stock or mildly modified 5.7, this is a practical, value-driven way to get everything you need in one box.
The honest trade-off is that this is a value set, not a high-end performance set, so the roller hardware is not built for the same aggressive cam profiles as our top pick. It is plenty for a stock rebuild, but if you are spinning the engine hard or running a big cam, you would want to step up. You also need to confirm the set matches your MDS or non-MDS configuration before ordering. Within its lane, it is a genuinely good-value complete kit.
- Full 16-lifter set so you refresh the entire valvetrain at once
- Includes the lifter guides that organize and align the rollers
- Sensible, value-focused option for a complete tick repair
Pros: Complete set covers all cylinders in one purchase; Comes with guides so nothing extra to source; Good value for a full HEMI lifter refresh
Cons: Not as premium as name-brand performance sets; Check whether the set matches your MDS configuration
7. Mopar 5.7 HEMI Genuine MDS Lifter (53021720AE): Best Genuine Mopar
For owners who insist on genuine factory parts, the Mopar MDS lifter is the no-compromise choice for the deactivation cylinders. It is the exact part the engine left the factory with, so fitment and specification are guaranteed, and there is no guesswork about whether it matches your MDS engine. If you are keeping the truck or car factory-correct, or you simply trust OEM over aftermarket, this is the safe and authentic route.
The weakness is unavoidable: this is the same MDS lifter design that fails on so many of these engines, so you are restoring the original part rather than improving on it. It is also sold individually, which adds up across the four deactivation cylinders. Many seasoned HEMI owners would rather delete the MDS system entirely with a non-MDS set. But if genuine Mopar parts and factory configuration are non-negotiable for you, this delivers exactly that.
- Genuine Mopar part number for guaranteed factory fitment
- Exact replacement for the MDS deactivation lifters
- Backed by the original manufacturer specification
Pros: Guaranteed correct fit and factory specification; Genuine Mopar quality and materials; Ideal for warranty-conscious or factory-faithful repairs
Cons: Reinstalls the failure-prone MDS design; Sold per unit, so multiple are needed for the MDS bank
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the HEMI tick in a 5.7?
The 5.7 HEMI tick is most often traced to failing lifters, especially the MDS (Multi-Displacement System) lifters used on the cylinder-deactivation cylinders. Over time a lifter can lose its roller bearing or fail to hold oil pressure, which creates the characteristic ticking noise. If left alone, a failing lifter can wipe the matching camshaft lobe, turning a lifter job into a full cam-and-lifter replacement. Exhaust manifold bolt leaks can also mimic a tick, so it is worth ruling those out, but lifters are the classic cause and the reason most owners end up replacing them.
Should I delete the MDS when replacing my HEMI lifters?
Many HEMI owners choose to delete the MDS by installing a full set of standard non-MDS lifters, because the MDS deactivation lifters are the most failure-prone part of the valvetrain. Deleting them removes that weak point for good. The catch is that an MDS delete is not just a parts swap: you also need a tune or a proper MDS-delete kit to block the deactivation oil galleries and stop the PCM from throwing codes. If you are already in the engine doing a cam or full lifter job, the delete is a popular and worthwhile upgrade. If you want to stay completely factory, you can keep the MDS lifters instead.
Do I have to replace the camshaft when I replace the lifters?
Not always. If you catch a failing lifter early and inspect the camshaft lobes carefully, and the lobes are still smooth and within spec, you can often replace just the lifters. However, if a lifter roller has seized or collapsed, it usually damages the matching cam lobe, and in that case you must replace the camshaft too. Reusing a worn cam with new lifters will quickly destroy the new parts. Always inspect every lobe before deciding, and if you see any pitting, scoring, or flattening, plan on a cam and lifter package rather than lifters alone.
How do I know if my 5.7 HEMI has MDS or not?
MDS was fitted to many but not all 5.7 HEMI engines, depending on the vehicle, year, and transmission. The easiest way to confirm is to check your engine configuration by VIN through a parts lookup, since MDS and non-MDS engines use different lifters and hardware on the deactivation cylinders. This matters a great deal when buying lifters, because ordering the wrong configuration means parts that do not match your bores or yokes. When in doubt, verify with a dealer parts desk or a trusted online catalog using your VIN before you order.
Can I replace just one bad lifter or should I do all 16?
You technically can replace a single failed lifter, and individual OEM-spec units are sold for exactly that purpose. On a low-mileage engine with a clearly isolated failure, that can be a reasonable fix. However, lifters tend to wear and fail as a group, so on a higher-mileage HEMI most builders replace all 16 at once to avoid being back inside the engine a few months later when another one goes. Since most of the labor is in removing the cylinder heads and intake, doing the complete set while you are already in there is usually the smarter long-term move.
Our Verdict
For most 5.7 HEMI owners, the COMP Cams Short Travel Hydraulic Roller Lifter Set is our top pick because it attacks the real source of the HEMI tick: it lets you delete the failure-prone MDS lifters with a full set of durable, high-RPM-stable non-MDS rollers, making it the strongest long-term fix on this list. If you would rather keep your engine bone stock and simply restore quiet factory operation, the Hylift Johnson HEMI Hydraulic Roller Lifters are our runner up, delivering true OEM-grade quality as a clean drop-in when matched to your exact configuration. Whichever route you choose, replace the lifters before a collapsing roller takes out a cam lobe, and your HEMI will thank you with many more quiet miles.
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