ls lifter travel

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what's the benefit of limited travel hyd roller lifters vs typical hyd rollers

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is it RPM related? lighter wieght compared to regular hyds? cam profile? valve floating issues? able to use on something like a mild solid cam profile? engine choice make a difference like SBC/SBF, BOP, etc? does it make the cam act a little different? like short travels might soften the bottom end range, but allow more up top? (sort of thinking something like what Rhoads lifters did to flat tappets) would you have to change springs or does one allow maybe stiffer springs to be used or heavier valve train components? i've seen ads that said for the limited/short travel hyd rollers to set lash 0 with 1/8 - 1/4 preload and regular at 0 with 1/4 - 1/2 preload do they require different pushrod lengths? i'd assume they would be "noisier" if you get what i am saying compared to regular, meaning something you would want or not want to hear?? what would make you need one over the other? just wondering if results are something to similar when you hear people using solids on hyd cam profiles  

I think it is too many questions in one post...I counted 13!!! Just try again with the one. What is the advantage to travel limiter Lifters?  

More RPM capability  

If both types of lifters were set to 1/4 turn pre-load, what difference would it make to the performance of both lifter types?  

You try and set a limited travel lifter with 1/4 turn, you'll probably hold the valve open.  

From talking to Tony Mamo on my build since I'm using Johnson ST2126LSR lifters, he said the short travel have a much tighter tolerance to preload and you have to measure EVERY pushrod length, sometimes you get 2-3-4 different lengths to make one complete set. You can't just do 1/8 or 1/4 and be done with them, you will destroy them that way. He told me it allows greater valve train stability and let's you get more RPM. It's about as close to a solid roller as you can get without using a actual solid cam. There's only a 5-10hp difference between the two on similar profiles. I had asked about using a LLSR cam and that's what he told me. I believe the 2110 is .050 preload +-.010 on a .210 plunger travel and the 2126 is .035 preload +-.005 on a .093 plunger. Not nearly as much "close enough" range there.  

Limited travel lifters are not hydraulic lifters. They are solid lifters with a little play, made to fool engine tech guys in hydraulic lifter classes.  

Yes No idk but prob mostly not see Springs Prob idk should could I think if your picky enough you need a different length pushrod for every lobe anyway LOL I would assume they make them or match a sets travel close enough, you could check them all yourself. I'd check the travel on a few at least before I set PRE-LOAD. As with anything there is a general way and a way to get the max.  

From Hylift Johnson Lifters . At the end it talks about an "S" lifter vs short travel . The other Johnson offers a "reduced travel " lifter I assume is what Hylift calls their "S" lifter . Tech Notes : Hydraulic Lifters “Pump-up” and hold the valves open, is a misconception. The lifter will not pump up to hold the valves open, it is actually valve float. The lifter’s function is to take up any lash in the valve train system. When a valve floats because of inadequate valve spring pressure or harmonics the Lifter’s piston will adjust on the base circle of the cam to take up this clearance. Now when the Valve spring catches up to the rest of the valve train it will want to close the valve but won’t be able too because the Lifter has extended. This will hold the valve open and will result in a loss of power. Preload: How much preload is right? The Hydraulic lifter only needs a small amount of preload. This preload is just to take up any lash in the system and then to remove any contact between the internal components of the lifter and the retaining ring. We only recommend .020” to .040” of preload on any of our lifters. Short Travel Lifters function like mechanical lifters but they are much harder on the valve train components. These were developed because the standard hydraulic lifters couldn’t handle the higher spring pressures used in performance engines. These are usually made with a spacer to reduce the piston’s travel so the amount of valve lift loss is kept to a minimum. A mechanical lifter is installed with a small amount of lash to take up thermal growth in the valve train. This lash is taken up when the lifter starts up the cam lobe. There is no pressure being translated from the valve springs through the push rod at this point. This is a smooth transition to remove the lash before the valve starts to open. With the short travel lifter these are made to have no lash initially but they end up collapsing during the opening of the valve. The difference between these two is that when the short travel lifter collapses it is while there is a significant load from the valve spring translated down the push rod. This load is usually when the valve is almost completely open where the most pressure is on the lifter. When the lifter collapses it is bottoming out with a very heavy load on the piston. This acts like a hammer hitting the lifter and will send a shock wave to the mating Camshaft lobe’s surface. This shock load is detrimental to the mating surfaces and even worst when a roller lifter is being used. Tests have shown that these short travel lifters will reduce roller bearing life by as much as 70%. Our “S” lifters are designed to handle heavier Valve spring loads without loosing valve lift or collapsing like inferior Short Travel Lifters will.  

boostedbowtie said: From Hylift Johnson Lifters . At the end it talks about an "S" lifter vs short travel . The other Johnson offers a "reduced travel " lifter I assume is what Hylift calls their "S" lifter . Tech Notes : Hydraulic Lifters “Pump-up” and hold the valves open, is a misconception. The lifter will not pump up to hold the valves open, it is actually valve float. The lifter’s function is to take up any lash in the valve train system. When a valve floats because of inadequate valve spring pressure or harmonics the Lifter’s piston will adjust on the base circle of the cam to take up this clearance. Now when the Valve spring catches up to the rest of the valve train it will want to close the valve but won’t be able too because the Lifter has extended. This will hold the valve open and will result in a loss of power. Preload: How much preload is right? The Hydraulic lifter only needs a small amount of preload. This preload is just to take up any lash in the system and then to remove any contact between the internal components of the lifter and the retaining ring. We only recommend .020” to .040” of preload on any of our lifters. Short Travel Lifters function like mechanical lifters but they are much harder on the valve train components. These were developed because the standard hydraulic lifters couldn’t handle the higher spring pressures used in performance engines. These are usually made with a spacer to reduce the piston’s travel so the amount of valve lift loss is kept to a minimum. A mechanical lifter is installed with a small amount of lash to take up thermal growth in the valve train. This lash is taken up when the lifter starts up the cam lobe. There is no pressure being translated from the valve springs through the push rod at this point. This is a smooth transition to remove the lash before the valve starts to open. With the short travel lifter these are made to have no lash initially but they end up collapsing during the opening of the valve. The difference between these two is that when the short travel lifter collapses it is while there is a significant load from the valve spring translated down the push rod. This load is usually when the valve is almost completely open where the most pressure is on the lifter. When the lifter collapses it is bottoming out with a very heavy load on the piston. This acts like a hammer hitting the lifter and will send a shock wave to the mating Camshaft lobe’s surface. This shock load is detrimental to the mating surfaces and even worst when a roller lifter is being used. Tests have shown that these short travel lifters will reduce roller bearing life by as much as 70%. Our “S” lifters are designed to handle heavier Valve spring loads without loosing valve lift or collapsing like inferior Short Travel Lifters will. Click to expand...

I have heard/read that one cause of lost valvetrain control in a hydraulic lifter lies in air entrained in the oil column. Oil itself is a non-compressable fluid. But air is obviously compressable. When windage whips air into the oil at higher RPM, that air gets into the lifters and they become compressable instead of hydraulically solid. A short travel lifter reduces the amount of potential compressability to a level similar to lash in a solid roller - the lash is essentially "in oil". And yeah - I was chasing tuning opportunities on an EMC entry with short travel lifters - hydraulic as required by the rules. An added 1/8 turn (+/- .010) gave me a "no start" freewheeling engine on dyno.  

Barry_R said: I have heard/read that one cause of lost valvetrain control in a hydraulic lifter lies in air entrained in the oil column. Oil itself is a non-compressable fluid. But air is obviously compressable. When windage whips air into the oil at higher RPM, that air gets into the lifters and they become compressable instead of hydraulically solid. A short travel lifter reduces the amount of potential compressability to a level similar to lash in a solid roller - the lash is essentially "in oil". And yeah - I was chasing tuning opportunities on an EMC entry with short travel lifters - hydraulic as required by the rules. An added 1/8 turn (+/- .010) gave me a "no start" freewheeling engine on dyno. Click to expand...

Here is some instructions for a line of Comp Cam short travel lifters, I wouldn't assume it's the same for all their short travel lifters types. https://www.compcams.com/amfile/file/download/file/389/product/26925/ 4. Adjusting pre-load: Turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation. Start with cylinder number one (1). When the exhaust valve begins to open, adjust the intake valve to the correct pre-load. To reach zero, take the pushrod between your finger tips and move it up and down while you tighten down the rocker arm adjusting nut. Once you feel no more vertical slack, you are at zero pre-load. Make sure the pushrod is in the lifter and the rocker arm seat when making valve adjustments. Then tighten the adjuster nut zero to 1/4 of a turn of the wrench. Next, you can move on to the exhaust valve on the same cylinder. Now, rotate the engine over again until the intake valve reaches maximum lift and is almost all the way back down. Then set the exhaust valve using the same method as the intake (zero to 1/4 of a turn). Continue adjusting the valves on each cylinder in this manner until all valves are adjusted.  

When I ran them , I noticed they were very touchy . I just barely put any preload on them . Maybe a1/16 of a turn . I also ran the Johnson ST2116SBR lifters . But they recommend .035 , give or take .010 , preload . Just under 1/2 turn on the 7/16 stud . Now running solid lifters on the hydraulic cam now . Nothing wrong with the hydraulic lifters , was chasing a noise issue and want to go solid anyways .  

The Johnson Short Travel lifters are also low/ slow bleed-down lifters (I think most of the retrofit short travel ones are also low bleed down now...) They are more expensive because they have to be MFGRed to tighter tolerances. Standard lifters end up bleeding down faster than they can be filled back up with oil with increasing loads on the plunger and less time(spring pressure / RPM). AFAIK essentially all modern hyd lifters are low bleed down now (all ls / lt lifters); why are they so much more expensive in retrofit apps? I guess “cause they can” / OEM purchasing power? Adam  

Short travel lifters have no valving inside. They don't hold oil, they don't recover lash, they don't "bleed down", they have nothing in common with a hydraulic lifter other than the name. They have a solid "piston" inside the lifter body that has a slight spring load to it and it only moves about .020". Then it becomes a solid lifter.  

S&S Lifter Travel Limiters

I figured no one would believe me, that's why I posted the description from Zipper's catalog. Is all just that simple.  

LOL, or ground flat pushrod cup from a used lifter, much cheaper, lol.  

Looks like it'd be more work to me than a washer for the used ones that I have but still a good free alternative.  

If you are talking about the HD lifters, out of curiosity what 5/8 washer has an o/d of .612 (lifter bore i/d)? If you are talking about GM lifters the ones I've been making and installing for about 20 years are .621 x .452 x .111 which gives you a snug fit so they don't move around and barely enough room to get the snap ring back in. Did allot of testing back than on circle track stuff and found those dimensions worked best. Tom  

A 5/8 O.D ARP .120 thick washer works good , you just have to true up the outside edge on a belt sander where it's punched out and is not perfectly square on the O.D surface.  

i'm sure lifters vary some, the ones i have done .120 worked fine, hey whatever works , right?  

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Johnson ST2116LSR Short Travel Slow Leak Down Lifters for LS Engines LS1 Link Bar Lifters - Fits 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 7.0 LS1 LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 LS7 LS LT Engines

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• Johnson ST2116LSR Short Travel Slow Leakdown Link-Bar Lifters for LS Engines
• These are Johnson's short travel slow leak down race-style lifters for all LS engines. These do use a tie bar, so you will remove the plastic lifter trays for these lifters.
• Hydraulic-Roller .058" Total Plunger Travel .035" Recommended Pre-Load +-.010". Slow bleed-down lifter describes the ability to maintain lift without collapsing, or the repeatability in common rotation on the cam.
• When you are looking for the ultimate high quailty LS/LT lifter, look no farther than Johnson Lifters. These lifters can be used in daily drivers all the way up to 1,000+hp boosted engines.
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Johnson Lifters

Johnson Lifters are known for their high-quality performance lifters. Designed to handle high-stress conditions, these lifters are ideal for both street performance and racing applications.

R ecommended Lifter Installation:

• Inspect the lifters for any signs of damage to the lifter body or wheel.
• Verify the rollers spin without any binding.
• Wipe down the lifter body with a lint free rag.
• Coat the outside of the lifter with engine oil (not recommended to soak)
• Debris entering a lifter is the main cause of failure. Clean the top end of the engine to ensure no foreign debris can enter the lifters upon startup.
• Inspect the Rocker Arms, Pushrods Ends, and Valve Tips for excessive wear. Replace as necessary.
• Install lifters and set the lifter preload to the recommended specifications.
• Change oil/filter after 50 miles to remove any debris that may have been missed during assembly.

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Johnson GM LS/LT Reduced Travel Race Lifter Set 2110R

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Johnson gm ls/lt reduced travel race lifter set 2110r-16.

Reduced Travel, Slow Leak Down, Uses OEM Lifter Trays.

• Cold forged steel body heat treated for exceptional wear resistance.
• Precision ground needle roller bearing with high chromium steel axle for long life and minimal friction.
• Cold forged extra long piston, precision ground and fitted for controlled leak down and pump up.
• High flow disc style quick reacting check valve for better reaction at higher RPM.
• Precision oil metering assuring proper oiling to the rocker arms without sacrificing oil pressure.
• Proprietary tie-bar system
• All hydraulic lifters are available with short travel, variable duration lift, and axle oiling features.

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Johnson GM LS/LT Short Travel Tie Bar Lifter Set ST2116LSR

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Johnson ST2116LSR Short Travel Slow Leak Down Lifters for LS Engines LS1 Link Bar Lifters

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Johnson ST2116LSR Short Travel Slow Leakdown Link-Bar Lifters for LS Engines

These are Johnson's short travel slow leak down race-style lifters for all LS engines NOT running DOD/AFM. These do use a tie bar, so you will remove the plastic lifter trays for these lifters.

• Hydraulic-Roller
• .058" Total Plunger Travel
• .030" Recommended Pre-Load +-.005"
• Set of 16 Lifters
• Made in USA!

Fits :  LS1 LS2 LS3 LS6 LS7 LY5 LMG LMF LH6 LC9 LY2 L20 L33 LQ4 LQ9 LR4 LM4 LM7 L59 LS4 LH8 LH9 L99 L92 L94 L96 L9H LY6 LT1 LT4 L83 L86 L84 L87 L8T

  Recommended Lifter Installation:

  1. Inspect the lifters for any signs of damage to the lifter body or wheel.

  2. Verify the rollers spin without any binding.

  3. Wipe down the lifter body with a lint free rag.  

  4. Coat the outside of the lifter with engine oil (not recommended to soak)

  5. Debris entering a lifter is the main cause of failure.  Clean the top end of the engine to ensure no foreign debris can enter the lifters upon startup.

  6. Inspect the Rocker Arms, Pushrods Ends, and Valve Tips for excessive wear.  Replace as necessary.

  7. Install lifters and set the lifter preload to the recommended specifications.

  8.  Change oil/filter after 50 miles to remove any debris that may have been missed during assembly.

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Johnson 2110R Slow Leakdown Lifters - LS Engines 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS1 LS2 LS3

Johnson 2110R Lifter Set with GM Guide Trays - for LS/LT Engines 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS1 LS2 LS3

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My LS7 lifter comparison.

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That is good information. I will add this bit of history about the GM lifter situation: In 1997, GM introdiuced service replacement lifters for 1987-2013 GM engines, GM 12499225 (16) and GM 17122490 (8), AC Delco HL-124 lifters in different quantities and they have standard (0.166") travel. They became the service replacement lifters for 1992-1995 GM-5234670 (AC Delco HL-105) long travel (0.237") lifters and the long travel lifter were discontinued. The long travel lifters were original equipment in 4.3L L35 engines that used net-lash (20 lb. torque) lifter adjustment and were found to be noisy when cold. The lifter noise is because it takes longer for motor oil to fill the lifters and take up the preload in the long travel lifters when the engine is cold, especially when owners used higher viscosity oils than 5W-30 all season recomended by GM. The standard lifter preload adjustment is 1/2 travel on all lifters. GM even printed the recommended oil viscosity of "5W-30" on the oil filler caps (AC Delco FC124) used on 1992-1995 4.3L L35 engines. The oil filler caps (AC Delco FC140) used on the 1987-1995 4.3L LB4 engines ,which used short travel (0.120") fully adjustable lifters (GM 5234890), and they had "10W-30" printed on them.  

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First Timer’s Travel Guide to Moscow & Saint Petersburg

Russia is this vast, diverse, and magnificent land that many international travellers dream of visiting. The capital city Moscow and the second largest city in the country St Petersburg are, in particular, one of the most magical and interesting cities in the world you can visit all year-round. That is why today we decided to focus yours and our attention to both cities. Learn how to explore them properly if you are a first-time visitor. How to ensure that you make the most of your visit. What to expect, etc.

The Kremlin, Moscow

Despite the fact that even a month or two will not be enough to explore Moscow or St Petersburg to the fullest and enjoy everything these amazing cities have to offer, not many of us have the luck to spend such a long time abroad. We would provide you with some recommendations and ideas you can totally make happen within a 4-day itinerary in Moscow and a 4-day itinerary in St Petersburg.

St Petersburg

In addition, please note that the majority of the international and continental flights are to the capital city Moscow that is a home to the biggest and most popular airport in the country. So Moscow will be the starting point of your over a week-long journey to Russia. Let’s discuss some of the basics you should know and prepare for!

The first thing you have to do when planning to visit Russia is applying for a visa. There are only a few countries in the world that are to require a visa when visiting the country. In the majority of the cases, you should have one in order to visit the country. Be prepared for your visa application by making sure you own and can provide a proof of arrival and departure dates, and an invitation letter from either a tour provider or an accommodation booked.

Make sure to check out the website of your country’s government for additional requirements and papers needed. The easiest way to get an invitation letter from an accommodation is by booking a major hotel chain. They are more used to dealing with international visitors and will assist and support you throughout the process, providing you with everything you need for entering the country. Please keep in mind that the application process can take up to a few weeks and you have to send your original passport away, so make sure you don’t need it during this time.

However, there is one way to visit St Petersburg for three days visa-free. This happens if you arrive by ferry or cruise ship when you will be allowed to arrive and stay in the city for 72 hours without applying for a visa. This is the only way and a great option to visit one of the most magnificent and impressive cities in Russia without going through the whole visa application process that can be pretty overwhelming, indeed.

Well, Russian language is not the most popular in the world, despite the fact it is spoken by a big number of people, who are citizens not only of the country but also of the ex-USSR. Chances are, you are not familiar with the language and with the Cyrillic alphabet used in the country, where you will find that the majority of the signs around the cities are in Cyrillic, which can make it harder for you to find your way around, but also a great bunch of the names of many international brands and companies. In addition, once you get to Russia you will find out that English is definitely not widely-spoken by the general population, even in big cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg, where most of the people, no matter their age, will speak little to no English.

However, don’t be afraid that you will get lost or in trouble. Let Google Translate, hand gestures, and a little common sense make all the hard work and you will be ok. Keep in mind that having an Internet connection on your phone all the time will be very helpful for finding your way around. In addition, many restaurants in the main tourist areas in both cities have an English menu you can ask for, while the same applies to the maps and brochures of the major tourist attractions.

Getting Around

Both Moscow and St Petersburg have an awful traffic, which means that taxis can cost you a lot. Buses and cars can take a long time when traffic is at its full potential and in order to save yourself some time and coins. We highly recommend you using the metro/underground systems in both cities. Moscow’s metro system is simply amazing. It has a huge network of interconnecting lines that will help you get around and across the city very efficiently.

Make sure to grab a map of the Moscow’s metro, which will make it very easy to navigate, plus the stations are announced in English. In addition, using the metro is incredibly cheap and it will get you anywhere in the city for less than $1. Moscow’s metro is also known for some of the most beautiful and spectacular metro stations in the world that are definitely worth visiting as amazing tourist attractions of their own.

The metro is St Petersburg isn’t nearly as extensive as the Moscow’s one and the stations are more spread out. In this case, you can take advantage of the Uber service in the city and explore St Petersburg by ordering an Uber driver that will cost you significantly cheaper than a taxi. Thanks to the big number of drivers available, you will be able to find a free car very quickly. However, considering the fact that St Petersburg is more touristy and most of the main sights are located in what is called the Golden Triangle, you can easily explore the main tourist attractions by foot. There are also sightseeing buses and canal transports that will take you all along and around the main sights in St Petersburg.

The Russian currency is Russian ruble and you can expect to spend a lot of it because both Moscow and St Petersburg are pretty expensive cities with a higher standard and cost of living. Knowing that both cities are generally pretty expensive will help you plan that fact into your budget and consider some way to spend money if you are not travelling with a limitless budget. For example, make sure to choose a hotel that is in the outskirts of the city and in a short walking distance from a metro station. This way you can save a huge amount of money compared to a hotel in the city centre and you can also save on travel time. If you are student do not forget to take your valid student ID with you since some attractions and museums are offering a student discount.

Tickets and Attractions

When it comes to tickets for shows, museums, and attractions, the best way is to buy them beforehand. This way you can save time and not wait in hours-long lines, you can even benefit from an online purchase discount, and most importantly – you can make sure that your place and visit is reserved since many attractions in Russia sell a limited amount of tickets per day. There are some places that are very popular and tickets can sell out weeks in advance. An online purchase will help you figure out what and when you can visit, and you can plan your tour better and more effectively.

The weather in Moscow and St Petersburg can be pretty unpredictable all year-round. Because of that make sure to pack a variety of clothes for all seasons, dress in layers, and don’t take the weather forecast for the day as a final promise. Make sure to always take an umbrella or a raincoat with you. For women, bringing a scarf can be very useful for a practical reason, but also because some churches and cathedrals in Russia expect you to cover your hair with a scarf.

If you are a foodie, you will be happy to know that Russia has its very own and unique cuisine and we highly recommend you trying out some of the most popular dishes in the country including the Russian dumplings pierogi, the infamous Russian salads such as Olivie, Mimoza, and Seliodka pod shuba, etc. However, if you are not willing to try out the local cuisine, there are many international restaurants and familiar fast food chains in both cities Moscow and St Petersburg.

Things to Do and Places to See

Both Moscow and St Petersburg are cities that offer a lot to be seen, explored, experienced, and enjoyed. Some of the most important, stunning, and exciting sights in Moscow: the Red Square, where you can visit the St. Basil’s Cathedral and the GUM Department Store. The Kremlin that contains the Great Bell Tower. The Tsar Bell, Tsar Cannon, several cathedrals, gardens, and the Armory Chamber. Arbat Street is the most touristic street in Moscow with a lot of places to eat, plenty of shops to buy, and all the souvenirs you can ever imagine and want to take home with you.

St. Basil’s Cathedral

The metro stations, despite the fact that they are one of the busiest in the world, are definitely very clean and beautifully constructed and ornamented. Izmaylovsky Flea Market is just a few metro stations away from the centre. It is a great place to get to know the Russian culture and everyday life while shopping for some more authentic and interesting souvenirs. Sparrow Hill is one of the highest spots in Moscow and offers some great views of the modern city, plus it is the location of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Saint Petersburg is often referred to as one of the most beautiful and stunning cities not only in Russia but in the whole world. It has plenty of unique sights and magnificent things to see in the city. If your time is limited you should make sure to cover at least the highlights. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, since its exterior and interior, are equally breath-taking.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Hop on a canal cruise to explore the city from a different perspective. Visit Kazan Cathedral and St. Isaac’s Cathedral, where you can go inside and also climb the stairs to the top and enjoy some stunning views of the city. The Palace Square, which is home to the Winter Palace, which was the lavish residence of the Russian monarchs and is nowadays a part of the Hermitage Museum.

Kazan Cathedral

Of course, visiting Saint Petersburg without visiting the Hermitage Museum is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. The Hermitage is one of the largest and most spectacular museums in the world and a day is not enough to explore each and every one of its nooks and corners. When in the city, you can also visit the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Peterhof Palace.

Despite the fact that media loves to sensationalise the negative stories in Russia and the fact that the country is often portrayed as a pretty unsafe place by the western media, the chances of you getting into a trouble, feel threatened, or in a danger are as minimal as possible. However, keep in mind that some things are rather recommended not to do, for example taking a picture of any government, military or security building. Despite not forbidden, you better use your camera for capturing some more exciting moments. In addition, always bring a photocopy of your passport and visa with you, since police can demand you to legitimize yourself anytime.

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Russia: One Week Itinerary

Russia , the largest country in the world has been on my bucketlist for the longest time. This is where the first ‘women only’ tour of Ticking the Bucketlist is headed. We are off tomorrow and would be spending one week in this enchanting land!

Here is what our ‘one week in Russia’ itinerary looks like….

Day 1: Moscow – Izmailovsky Flea Market and ‘Moscow by Night’

We start our trip from Delhi on an Aeroflot flight and reach Moscow at about 0835 in the morning. We head straight to our hotel to stretch our legs and get some shut-eye. We need to charge our batteries for the Russian sojourn. We are staying in the Best Western Vega at the Izmailovsky area, which is very famous for its local flea market. The  Izmailovsky Market is the best place in Moscow for souvenir shopping …dolls, porcelain, jewelry boxes…we will buy them all from here.

Day 2: Moscow – Moscow City Tour and Kremlin Tour

A red building at the Red Square of the Kremlin

Having seen the city’s light the previous night, it is time to see the city’s colours this morning. We will set off on the Moscow City Tour shows us the highlights of city, starting with the Red Square. This is our day to click a 1000 pictures in front of all the monuments that represent Moscow…St Basil’s Cathedral, the Bolshoi theatre, the Olympic Stadium and the Sparrow Hills.

Exploring the Kremlin

Today is also the day to visit and learn more about the most famous monument in Russia. Kremlin, literally means a fort inside a city. Dynasties built on the site, one century after another and the site came to known as the Kremlin in the 14the century. The walled structure of the Kremlin includes palaces and cathedrals… and a historical past!

Later in the evening, we will enjoy the Russian circus that many of us have seen to television ever so often. Acrobats, clowns and animals….its is time to let the little girl in you come out and clap her hands!  

Day 3: Moscow – Metro Stations and Arbat Street followed by the Bolshoi Ballet 

Mosaics on the walls of the metro station

Today, we set out to explore the metro stations of Moscow, each of which is a stellar work of art. Stunning frescos and chandeliers in marble surroundings… it’s a work of art! We will then walk along the Arbat street, which is the city’s only pedestrian street, lined with shops and cafes.

As the night unfolds, I intend to don a classy dress and get set to watch one of the finest shows on earth at the Bolshoi Theatre. I have always been awestruck by the art form and would love to see some of the best performers in the world move gracefully. A performance that is rated as one of the best in the world has to be ticked off my bucketlist!

Day 4: Moscow – Day Tour to Sergiev Posad followed by a crazy bar hopping night!

Sergiev Posad is one the strongest spiritual centres in Russia. Home to stunning churches, Sergiev Posad will give us a flavour of the famous ‘Golden Ring’ of Russia. The tour will take 5-7 hours and we will be back at the hotel in second half.

Exploring Sergiev Posad

This will be our last night in Moscow, and we are not going to leave the city without sampling some fine Russian vodka. So, this night is dedicated to bar hopping and pub crawling. Hope to meet some travellers and make new friends.

Day 5: Saint Petersburg – Sapsan train experience to Saint Petersburg and Matryoshka Doll painting class

Saint Petersburg , our next destination, is at least 700 km away from Moscow… and we will zip zap zoom on the Sapsan (the high speed train) to get there in about four hours! The high speed trains are engineering marvels, worth experiencing and we ride this iron horse in the afternoon, reaching St Peterburg in the evening.

As a group, we also join a masterclass to paint our own nested Matryoshka dolls… our own little souvenir to carry and remind us of a fun week in Russia.

With our very own Matryoshka dolls!

Day 6: Saint Petersburg – City Tour and Peterhof Palace

The day starts with a city tour of Saint Petersburg that will give us a peek into what this city has… many bridges, stunning castles, colourful cathedrals and fortresses.

Post lunch, we will head to the Peterhof Palace, also called the Russian Versailles. With spring having set in, the gardens would be green and the fountains will put up a show…I am excited!

Peterhof Palace

Day 7: Saint Petersburg – Hermitage Museum and Shopping

The highlights tour on the previous day will surely make us want to see more of Saint Petersburg…and we will do so by visiting the Hermitage Museum, which is also called the ‘Louvre of Russia’. The Hermitage complex itself is of architectural delight … and the collections have stories to speak which will hopefully, spike our interest enough to make to go back read our history textbooks.

The Hermitage Museum

The rest of the day is totally free to visit any of the other monuments or simply shop … it’s every girl’s favourite sport, isn’t it?

Our last night Russia… Oh Russia!!!! Tonight we will explore the party scene in SPB … or maybe … pack for the next day?

Day 8: Saint Petersburg …Bye Bye Russia

Memories, souvenirs and new friendships… it’s time take them all back to India! We check out of our hotel and take the flight from SPB to Delhi, via Moscow.

Farewell Russia!

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About post author, 11 responses.

Your photos are beautiful! I have always wanted to visit Russia, especially after seeing Anastasia (the Disney movie) 🙂 I can’t believe those mosaics are on the walls at the METRO STATION! How unreal. Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

Wow that is quite an awesome itinerary. I mean… huge Russia in 1 week. I am still dreaming of St. Petersbourg. So many people told me that it is gorgeous. And I would die to see the Ballet

You know I have never considered Russia but this itinerary looks amazing. St. Petersburg looks beautiful. I will certainly consider a trip there now

I’ve only been to St Petersburg so far, and did a few tours in the city and around. But I have a good friend in Moscow, so the incentive is definitely there to go back. I enjoy doing those by night experiences and see how cities transform in different times of day – especially if it’s topped with a circus visit, amazing 🙂

We are thinking of heading to Russia next Summer so will deffo use this itinerary, looks amazing! Would love to visit the Kremlin in Moscow! Thanks for sharing!

I have always been fascinated by Russia. I like the colourful rounds domes on the Palaces just like an Aladin’s Palace. FIFA Football World will be held in Russia next year and I will try my best to visit this beautiful country and will follow your itinerary and contact you. 🙂

Moscow and Kremlin city tour looks amazing. Your one week itinerary is helpful and complete tour of Russian delights. St.Petersburg city tour is also enchanting and splendid. I really want to have Russian vacation now after seeing your pictures

Wow, this is awesome. Well weaved itinerary! We had always dreamed of taking pictures of those onion-domed palaces and those colors on the palaces are just mind blowing. We didn’t know that there is a Versailles in Russia the exterior paint and the colors look much similar. We had loved it in France and would love to visit it in Russia too.

The Peterhof Palace is a delight to visit. Highly recommend it if you are in SPB

I haven’t visited Russia, but it’s definitely on the list! This a great itinerary, I love how you included things to do but also gave some leeway to do things on your own as well (like shopping haha). Beautiful pictures, the buildings and Russian dolls are stunning! I wonder if they’re all hand painted.

The dolls are all hand painted. The cost increases depending on the quality of work and the artist.

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Why did boeing build the 747 dreamlifter.

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The Boeing 747 'Dreamlifter' is the world's longest cargo aircraft and certainly one of the more visually striking as well. With just four built, it is also among the rarest freighters in the world today. Much like its counterpart over at Airbus - the Beluga (and later the BelugaXL) - Boeing designed this mammoth aircraft to transport components for its 787 Dreamliner from worldwide suppliers to its US factories.

The Dreamlifter has become a favorite with planespotters owing to its unique fuselage. It can usually be spotted at Boeing's facility in Charleston, but has also conducted a range of other missions worldwide, particularly over the COVID pandemic when it ferried essential supplies. Let's explore the Dreamlifter's origins and why it is such a fascinating aircraft.

The solution to a logistical problem

Boeing began planning for its 787 Dreamliner program in the early 2000s. As the project developed, it became evident that the conventional shipping methods for the aircraft's components would take too long. This was because suppliers were located as far afield as Japan and Italy - as such, transporting the parts over land and sea would be highly inefficient and take weeks for components to arrive.

As such, Boeing elected to ferry these parts by air. However, many were too large for conventional shipping containers, even for the largest existing cargo aircraft at the time, such as the 747-400F and Antonov An-225. This meant that Boeing needed to design a specialized aircraft for this purpose. Otherwise, its Dreamliner project would be subjected to slower land or sea-based shipping.

Reconfigured passenger aircraft

Rather than producing brand-new aircraft, Boeing elected to convert four existing passenger configured 747-400s. One came from Air China, another from Malaysia Airlines, and two from China Airlines. The reconfigured aircraft were to have a bulging fuselage, similar to the bulbous, NASA-operated Super Guppy and the Airbus Beluga.

Boeing began modifying its first 747-400 airframe in 2005 in partnership with Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation. The reconfiguration was a joint venture between Boeing's Moscow outpost, Rocketdyne, and Spain's Gamesa Aeronautica.

It was indeed a global enterprise, and the result was the iconic Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter (LCF), otherwise known as the Dreamlifter.

The first Dreamlifter rolled out onto the apron in Taiwan in September 2006. Boeing took it to its Seattle field to undergo flight testing. Its registration was N747BC. Previously, the airframe had been at Air China since 1992, bearing the registration B-2466. The second Dreamlifter (N780BA, formerly of China Airlines since 1990) then made its first test flight in early 2007. Both these aircraft began transporting Dreamliner parts later that year. By the end of 2008, all four of the current in-service Dreamlifters were operational, helping Boeing to streamline its Dreamliner program.

The remaining examples enter service

The wings for the 787 Dreamliner were manufactured in Japan. Transporting these components to Boeing's US facilities used to take up to a month by sea. Overnight, the introduction of the Dreamlifter reduced this to just nine hours. By mid-2008, the third Dreamlifter began operating, with the fourth entering service in 2010.

Boeing doesn't operate the Dreamlifters itself - instead, it outsources this responsibility to Atlas Air, which took over from Evergreen International Airlines in 2010. After losing the contract to Atlas Air in 2010, Evergreen sued Boeing but lost the lawsuit, eventually ceasing operations in 2013.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Today, the Dreamlifter can be spotted ferrying parts between Boeing facilities, particularly at Charleston Airport, Anchorage International Airport, Chubu Centrair, and Taranto-Grottaglie. Dreamlifters were notably utilized during the COVID pandemic to transport medical supplies , delivering millions of pieces of vital equipment.

Comparing the Dreamlifter and the 747-400

Although their wingspans are identical, the Dreamlifter is marginally longer than a conventional 747-400 (71.7 m vs 70.6 m). It is also larger in terms of height (21.5 m vs 19.4 m) and fuselage width (8.4 m vs 6.5 m). However, the Dreamlifter's maximum take-off weight (364,235 kg) is less than the 747-400's (396,890 kg). Additionally, its range, when fully loaded, is just 4,200 nautical miles, compared to the 747-400's 7,260 nautical miles.

The Dreamlifter's primary selling point is its space. Its main cargo compartment has a volume of 1,840 cubic meters, and its maximum payload capacity is 113,400 kg. This allows it to carry Dreamliner parts too big for conventional shipping, helping Boeing cut shipping times and speed up production.

The Battle Of The Beasts: The Boeing Dreamlifter vs Airbus BelugaXL

Let's take a look at these two giants and how they came to be.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proved a successful enterprise for Boeing, and it is a common sight at airports worldwide today. However, while the 747 Dreamlifter is a much rarer sight, it is essential to remember that production of the Dreamliner would not have been possible at the speed it occurs without this specialized freighter.

Check out Simple Flying's guide on how to track the Dreamlifter on Flightradar24 .

Have you ever seen a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter in person? Do you prefer the Dreamlifter or the Airbus Beluga? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

• Boeing 747 Dreamlifter