roller rockers
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
The roller tips will give you less friction and you'll gain a small amount of additional lift. But I wouldnt expect a seat of the pants noticable improvement like you would feel with headers or new heads.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Feb 6, 2021 at 11:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The 1.6 rockers will give you more lift and may give you a little more power. And it may even be worthwhile.
I don't see it being enough of a change to throw your system out of whack.
But Ive never been a fan of the cross fire system.
I don't see it being enough of a change to throw your system out of whack.
But Ive never been a fan of the cross fire system.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,399
Likes: 8,204
From: Napa Valley California
I did this on an 84 Mastercraft ski boat I restored about five years ago.
I noticed it smoothed out and raised the idle rpm a little.
The only improvement I noticed was a very little quicker throttle response, but no overall performance gains.
It was worth doing.
I noticed it smoothed out and raised the idle rpm a little.
The only improvement I noticed was a very little quicker throttle response, but no overall performance gains.
It was worth doing.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,706
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
One of the biggest advantages, besides more flow under the curve, is reduced side load of the valve stem to guide reducing wear. Neither which OEM mfg care about as long as it makes it off warranty. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,729
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Read this paper for more details on the 1.37 ratio.
Solid Lifter Cam Valve Adjustment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Yes...all of the positive comments above ^^^^.
The roller tipped rockers are superior to the OEM rockers and there are a multitude of reasons why GM did not and does not use them on every OEM motor today, none of which is to the buyer's benefit, most of the time.
I have a set of comp cams roller tipped 1.52 rockers on my L-82 355 which I put on the OEM L-82 motor with the OEM 882 heads in the early 2000's and then reused on the upgraded/rebuilt L-82 355 in 2014 with the fabulous AFR aluminum heads.
The quality of the comp cams roller tipped rockers is FAR superior to the OEM rockers which as pointed out are a stamped steel piece with a ratio of something less than 1.5!
I have thought about using the comp cams 1.6 ratio rockers on my L-82 355 since switching from the 1.52 rockers to 1.6 roller tipped rockers would give me approximately 5% more ratio from the .525 lift roller cam to .550 which would be ideal with my current roller cam specs and the AFR's for max power.....
The roller tipped rockers are superior to the OEM rockers and there are a multitude of reasons why GM did not and does not use them on every OEM motor today, none of which is to the buyer's benefit, most of the time.
I have a set of comp cams roller tipped 1.52 rockers on my L-82 355 which I put on the OEM L-82 motor with the OEM 882 heads in the early 2000's and then reused on the upgraded/rebuilt L-82 355 in 2014 with the fabulous AFR aluminum heads.
The quality of the comp cams roller tipped rockers is FAR superior to the OEM rockers which as pointed out are a stamped steel piece with a ratio of something less than 1.5!
I have thought about using the comp cams 1.6 ratio rockers on my L-82 355 since switching from the 1.52 rockers to 1.6 roller tipped rockers would give me approximately 5% more ratio from the .525 lift roller cam to .550 which would be ideal with my current roller cam specs and the AFR's for max power.....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Feb 7, 2021 at 01:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 44
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Watch out using cheap roller rockers off Ebay. They will 'eat' the ends off your push rods and you will end up with an engine full of metal bits. You have to use a hardened push rod with these rockers and the stock ones will not cut it. I had to tear one engine down because of this problem. The 'shortened' push rod damaged a lifter and the snap ring on the lifter found its way into the oil pump. The engine was full of metal bits off the push rods. With the 1.6 you may also have clearance problems in the head and the valve covers. As others have mentioned, you won't get much benefit from this change alone other than bragging rights. Save your money until you can get a decent cam and make the swap, you will get far more 'bang for your buck'..
Unk
Unk
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I put a set of NON-Rollers on my 1992 350 cu.in. engine a few years ago...50,000 with no problems.
1. They will add a little pep to the engine..similar to a good tune-up (Do the tune-up first)
2. Be careful which manufacturer you buy from--they advertise 1.6 BUT they may be 1.55 or less 1.35
3. Watch out for rubbing pushrods as other members said.
4 . FOLLOW THE RULES about installing the new rocker arms to avoid the valves hitting the tops of the pistons
4. It;s probably just me, but I would remove the 12volt supply to the distributor and crank the engine a few times until engine oil was visibly coating the valve train., which also ensures the lifters are pumped up with engine oil.
5. MAKE SURE the rollers are centered on top of the valve stems (another member had a roller rocker ruin the top of a valve stem)
6. Then I would reconnect the distributor and start the engine.....readjust the rockers as needed.
SOMEONE CHECK THE OUTLINE ABOVE FOR MISTAKES / FORGOTTEN STEPS, PLEASE.
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 7, 2021 at 06:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
check a few things. You need to
make sure the springs can handle the additional Lift. You also need to make sure there will not be any coil bind with the springs. You could be limited in spring selection and coil bind by the spring pocket and valve seal.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
The roller tip rockers for generation 1 small blocks are a true 1.52 or 1.6 rocker, the factory rockers for generation 1 small blocks turn out to vary a great deal and are generally 1.37 not 1.5.
Read this paper for more details on the 1.37 ratio.
Solid Lifter Cam Valve Adjustment
Read this paper for more details on the 1.37 ratio.
Solid Lifter Cam Valve Adjustment
How about aftermarket non roller tip?
If you use good factory or aftermarket rockers, how much do you expect to gain with a roller tip vs conventional rockers?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10,706
Likes: 2,166
From: Golden Colorado
Not only do stock rockers vary greatly, they flex a lot, especially at higher rpms. Which decreases lift also, and then there is the friction loss added in.
Worth the read, some good stuff hidden in here.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...ker-arm-ratio/
Worth the read, some good stuff hidden in here.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...ker-arm-ratio/
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
So, all the roller tip rockers, of any brand, are a true 1.52 or 1.6 ratio, and all the factory rockers very a great deal?
How about aftermarket non roller tip?
If you use good factory or aftermarket rockers, how much do you expect to gain with a roller tip vs conventional rockers?
How about aftermarket non roller tip?
If you use good factory or aftermarket rockers, how much do you expect to gain with a roller tip vs conventional rockers?
Do you know the "feel" when the A/C compressor turns Off while driving on the interstate?
It is as though the car instantly gained another 10-15 horsepower.
After installing true 1.6 rocker arms you get a similar feeling taking off from a complete stop.///a little more pep for the dollar.
Removing the intake manifold and trimming the gasket openings to get better airflow will give the same results "on top of" the rocker arm modification. My rookie experience is the engine will actually idle approx. 150 rpm faster once the trimming is done.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Use the 1.6 Comp Magnum rocker......but use them with Poly-Locs.....much easier to lash.
You will see some benefit but not much until you get rid of the factory intake manifold.......it is a cork, and until the engine can breathe, most upgrades are futile.
Jebby
You will see some benefit but not much until you get rid of the factory intake manifold.......it is a cork, and until the engine can breathe, most upgrades are futile.
Jebby