is there a difference in the lifters used for a flat tappet and a roller cam?

Huge !!! A flat tappet is just that Flat. A roller lifter has a roller, for lack of better words, on it that rolls over the cam. Depending on what motor you have is dependent on which cam you use.

ok, thanks. im currently running a tappet cam, but my engine is setup to accept a roller...

im not anything mechanically inclined, kindof learning everything as i go. so i appreciate all the newb help that you offer here.

Hey we all started the same way. Go on comp cams web site and look at the different things on there you can tell the differance.