Hello mate,

Tappets, lifters and followers are all words to describe the same part: the hydraulic component that operates the rocker arm as the cam rotates.

With a car as standard as that I'd stick with a high quality standard replacement.

Changing it yourself depends on how handy you are with a spanner? A basic socket set and a torque wrench are all you need, and it can be done with the engine in the car without too much hassle.

Lee