Roller Rocker Arms
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by dtt
Can anyone give me the Pros/Cons of Roller Rocker Arms? Are they worth it? How hard are they to install? I can't seen to find any info on them. Thanks
Couple things. GM went back to formed from roller because they felt the formed were more advantagious...more contact surface. Roller lifters and cam are far better an upgrade than rockers, but both is a fine combo.
If you do change, find a set that's light weight, that has a bearing roller trunian, (Spelling?), and don't skimp on price. You really do get what you pay for, and you won;'t want a rocker failer to muck up a good engine.
Also, make sure the rockers will fit under your valve covers. Some are taller than others depending on design, and may require a taller valve cover.
I also always suggest push rod guides whenever doing upgrades to the valve train.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Going to a 1.6 ratio rocker may make 7-12 HP in some engines. So
lets say you spend $275 for a good set of roller rockers and
another $75 for a set of longer Chomemoly pushrods that you
would need. $350 devided by 7HP is $50.00 for every one HP.
If you get lucky and add 12 HP you would spend $29.00 per HP.
Just my 02 they are not worth it, unless you need extra strength
for high valve spring pressure.
lets say you spend $275 for a good set of roller rockers and
another $75 for a set of longer Chomemoly pushrods that you
would need. $350 devided by 7HP is $50.00 for every one HP.
If you get lucky and add 12 HP you would spend $29.00 per HP.
Just my 02 they are not worth it, unless you need extra strength
for high valve spring pressure.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Save some money up, buy a complete LT1 off Ebay, and carb it. It'll swap right in place of your old motor, even your headers will bolt right up, and it's a full roller motor. Do it...do it.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
Likes: 1
From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Couple things. GM went back to formed from roller because they felt the formed were more advantagious...more contact surface. Roller lifters and cam are far better an upgrade than rockers, but both is a fine combo.
If you do change, find a set that's light weight, that has a bearing roller trunian, (Spelling?), and don't skimp on price. You really do get what you pay for, and you won;'t want a rocker failer to muck up a good engine.
Also, make sure the rockers will fit under your valve covers. Some are taller than others depending on design, and may require a taller valve cover.
I also always suggest push rod guides whenever doing upgrades to the valve train.
If you do change, find a set that's light weight, that has a bearing roller trunian, (Spelling?), and don't skimp on price. You really do get what you pay for, and you won;'t want a rocker failer to muck up a good engine.
Also, make sure the rockers will fit under your valve covers. Some are taller than others depending on design, and may require a taller valve cover.
I also always suggest push rod guides whenever doing upgrades to the valve train.
the LT4 came with full roller rockers. The new LSx series engines have roller trunions, but flat tips. There is a benefit.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I was talking with Batman about this, and I think it's a novel idea...
Obviously keep the roller trunion, and keep a roller tip, but instead of a round barrel design, make it triangular...or three sided. That way a flat tip is still contacting the valve but it still rolls on a bearing. I think I may patent that idea.
Obviously keep the roller trunion, and keep a roller tip, but instead of a round barrel design, make it triangular...or three sided. That way a flat tip is still contacting the valve but it still rolls on a bearing. I think I may patent that idea.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I like Durango's idea - it's a cross between the LSx roller trunion/standard tip design and the roller trunion/roller tip design (which, as anyone who's been around here for a long time knows, has some problems with reduced contact surface on the valve tip). A floating conventional tip would definately be the best of both worlds.
We should grab some cheap full rollers and see if we can get a shop to machine up some floating tips to install on them. Give it a run and see how it works.
We should grab some cheap full rollers and see if we can get a shop to machine up some floating tips to install on them. Give it a run and see how it works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
Skip the roller rockers and go right for the shaft mounted ones. 
Might see a tiny HP improvement over stock (especialy if you were undercammed to begin with).
One thing is for sure - you will certainly spend some dough.
You pays your money, you gets your pick.
-Mark.
Might see a tiny HP improvement over stock (especialy if you were undercammed to begin with). One thing is for sure - you will certainly spend some dough.
You pays your money, you gets your pick.
-Mark.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by stingr69
Skip the roller rockers and go right for the shaft mounted ones.
Anyone ever priced a shaft mount system for a SBC? I know they came stock on most old Mopars so I wouldn't think they'd be too outrageous.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by Guru_4_hire
Jesel is supposed to have some new "sportsman" models that are in the $700 range.
I personally would not spend that kind of money when you can buy a roller motor and just drop it in instead of converting your motor to roller.