Pretty soon I'm going to be pulling off the valve covers to replace the valve seals. While I'm in there, I was thinking about swapping the stock rockers for a set of roller rockers -- specifically a set of Comp Cams Magnum Rollers with a 1.52 lift (oh, and a set of new pushrods, too). They'll fit under the stock valve covers.

The engine is otherwise a basically stock L82, except for the usual desmog and dual exhaust. Others have said I'll get good bang for my buck. What do y'all think?

 

They'll be worth it from what I've heard, you won't see as much power as most people because you're going with the 1.52's, but the roller will reduce friction which equals more power, even if it's not as much as the 1.6's. Like you said, the 1.52's will also clear the stock valve covers no problem.

 

I'm afraid I'd be pushing my luck with the 1.6 rockers. I get the impression that the stars need to be in perfect alignment for those to work out... :leaving:

 

True roller rockers will not give you much Hp over a set of good rocker arms. Yes they do reduce a little friction and lower oil temp a little. You will gain some HP going from the stock (1.48) to a true 1.52. I would stick with roller tip rockers. That is all you need on a stock L82 motor. I'm running roller tip on mine and they work fine. If you are running a roller cam you need true roller rockers to stand up to the spring pressure. The roller tip will fit under the covers roller rockers will not fit. I had to mill the drippers in mine down a little because they were hitting the drippers. This might be because of the .525 lift I have also.

 

Together with all of the above positives rollers tip rockers reduce side loading on the guides and prolong their life...can't hurt :cheers:

 

IMHO: I would consider a good set of headers instead. Dynomax Ceramacoats for abt 220 bucks would give ya a better bang for the buck I think.......good luck :cheers:

 

More power? ....Not really. But better for the motor as far as reduced friction, Slightly more lift 1.48 vs 1.52, cooler temps, ect. I went roller tip instead of full roller rocker. Hey, It's a street car. Want to make it go? Take some weight off of it! That is "free" power. I say 'do it'; i am very satisfied. :steering:

 

Don't shoot the messenger, but I inquired about roller tip rockers over the phone to Comp Cams and the guy laughed and told me not to waste my money as there was no benefit from using them, got the same opinion form a reputable engine builder.

Only posted this because I am trying to help by answering a specific question of the original poster.


[Modified by MotorHead, 7:52 AM 1/10/2003]

 

I have the Comp 1.6 roller tips on my L-82, and they work perfectly. I wouldn't spend all that money for full rollers, it's not worth it for your application.

 

Depends on how much $ you have and how much work you are willing to do. With that same cash you'll get much bigger gains with a cam swap, header swap or intake manifold swap, (gains in that order most likely), but all of those are more involved than swapping rocker arms (but you'll also learn a lot more doing them). If you do go with rocker arms, I would go with a decent set of 1.6 true rollers. I've ran 1.6's on a .510 lift cam with a stock height valve cover and had plenty of clearance. The only noticable gains you'll get from rocker arms is from the increased ratio (more valve lift, lets more air/fuel in). Any other benefits are going to be insignificant as far as you're concerned.

If you are interested, I have a set of 1.5/1.6 mixed (for flip flopping the higher ratio on only exhaust or intake, or outer 4 cylinders). Good roller rockers in great shape for $110. Honestly you'd be a little better off with a full set of 1.6's, but this is a good deal, and would give you more power than your stock setup.

Also a couple notes the stock setup in the range of 1.40 - 1.50 and they are inconsistent. Any benefit to the roller aspect of roller rockers is in the fulcrum, not the tip. High speed photography has shown that even the roller tip slides over the valve tip, it doesn't roll.

Rob

 

Interesting, A rep from Comp Cams says there is no bebefit to using his product :confused: I have heard their tech line was sometimes less than helpfull but geeez :rolleyes:

 

Just being able to say, "I have roller rockers" is worth a lot. It has to be at least 20HP :lol: :lol:

 

Hardly ever are they worth the expense. A waste of money. For some serious power for about the same money to liven up a stock small block place a GM 151 hydraulic cam in the thing with a new set of springs.. You will not be dissapointed. :) :thumbs:

 

We will let you know in a few days. I added them to my engine rebuild/ Comp Cam job. Fred the fryguy :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :steering:

 

Just a side note - but Aaron's motor (before he rebuilt it) smoked pretty bad from valve guide wear and the stock rockers were rocking the valve back and forth. He installed a set of roller-tip rockers and the smoking went away immediately.

I think the real advantage to the roller tips is that they help eliminate valve guide wear. They aren't a real HP producer (unless of course you go to 1.6:1) but the valve guides are a lot less likely to wear if you use them; which of course not only extends the life of your motor but prevents you from having to gradually make changes over time (carb settings, etc.) to compensate for the oil getting into the chamber.