NJ_phil

Pretty disappointed to see stamp steel crap rocker arms on my LS3 and looking to upgrade with something under $500 if possible. Just want to go a step up from what I have and there's way too many to choose from. Motor maxes out at 7200, 780-820hp. BTR dual valve springs, titanium retainers and HD pushrods already installed.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

sevinn

Unless you are willing to spend a lot don't bother. Aftermarket LS rocker arms usually arent very good unless they are Jesel or in that price range. The stock ones will be fine at that power level, and you don't have clear valve covers so just do the trunion and call it good in my opinion.

NJ_phil

Looked into the OEM rockers and they're actually pretty strong so gonna keep them and just go with the trunnion upgrade, agreed Jessel would be a waste of money

Thanks

Unreal

Bone stock. Trunnion downgrades are just a waste of money to make them less reliable.

NJ_phil

Don't understand why you say that. Read and heard about a few that had the bearings walk out the press fit and figured a set held in with C clips would solve that.

Naturally I'm looking for justification for the $130 I just spent buying the Comp Cam trunnion upgrade.

I'm far from the kind to waste money, just never cut costs on engine internals or anything that has a chance for wiping out the motor

realcanuk

Have comp ultra golds on my car for like 4 years now. Work flawlessly and I don't want to worry about needle bearings.

NJ_phil

Looked at those a while ago, super nice but I'm way over budget on my $10k build already and no where near your HP level. Didn't hear any definite no-go on the stock rockers (other than trunnions) so I should be pretty safe

realcanuk

[QUOTE=NJ_phil;1593271579]Looked at those a while ago, super nice but I'm way over budget on my $10k build already and no where near your HP level. Didn't hear any definite no-go on the stock rockers (other than trunnions) so I should be pretty safe[/QUOTE

Stock rockers work well and many high hp builds use them. Shouldn't be an issue.

KW Baraka

Comp Cams Ultra Pro-Magnum, Part #1678-16.

Just be advised that they'll be 1.8 ratio.

http://raceconsultingagency.com/i-22...ELUxoCgwPw_wcB

http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249/1678-16/10002/-1

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1678-16

http://www.compcams.com/Instructions/Files/151.pdf

KW

sevinn

For what it's worth, I went with the BTR kit because the clips looked a little stronger and it was a few bucks cheaper anyway.

Unreal

they upgraded trunnions fail more than stock. So it is a huge downgrade with no performance. Spend money to almost guarantee a failure is not something I would do. Stay stock.

CMY SIX

stud mounted crane gold race roller rockers whole kit is less then $500 I love them! oil temps drop and RPM's wrap around faster then you can think!

NJ_phil

Thanks for the replies guys... I cancelled the trunnion upgrades because they are 30% the price of a full blown roller set and might not even be an upgrade, depending on who you talk to. Seen more than a few rocker failures on older big blocks which made me think when I pulled off the valve covers.

Will the stock ones work?, sure... will new trunnions be better?, probably. Although I don't have the money to **** away on needless BS, I do believe on doing whatever and spending whatever is needed on motor internals to have peace of mind. I don't want to be looking at the tach and wondering what's going to let loose, or pulling valve covers off after a day at the track to see what's going on.

I love the aluminum roller rockers and spent big money on them years ago and surprised to see them under $500, so I'll be getting them as soon as I calm down the wife after she saw the latest credit card statements. The cam I just put in is pretty low lift (.598") and the motor might benefit with some 1.8s. Just putting the spring kits in now and will check PV to see how close things are. Rough calculations show .633" with the 1.8s and the last thing I want to do is run a tight PV.

outhouse

Because he knows.


Comp sucks and failure has skyrocketed on trunions.


Stocks hold up very well for modded motors.


The newer brass bushing inserts have good possibilities but not enough track record to call an affordable upgrade as of yet.

KW Baraka

What is the duration and LSA of the cam?

The valve opening and closing events are more critical (in regards to PV clearance) than the lift.

FWIW.....my cam in my daily driven LS3 is 229*/242* duration with 114 LSA and .668" lift......and I'm not even close to having issues with PV clearance.

Jus' sayin'.....

KW

NJ_phil

Duration is 230/236 115 LSA. Lift is lower than I thought @ .572/.578 so there's plenty of clearance. It's an ECS Big Blower cam and a proven combo with the Novi 1500SL so I'll just run it by ECS to see what they think. PV won't be a problem, just wondering what will change as far as power curve and HP

NJ_phil

Yes he does... Not that I was questioning him, just that needle bearings were getting bashed and I took a look at those Ultra Golds and assumed they also had needle bearings so was wondering how they could suck if he had them.

Turns out they have something else... need to look into it

KW Baraka

No issue with PV clearance if you decide to go with 1.8 rockers.

KW

mikeCsix

C6David

I've heard good things about yella terra rockers. Although there are a bit above the $500 mentioned.