Why Roller Rockers?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
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From: Suffolk Va
Why Roller Rockers?
I keep seeing roller rockers every where and i dont have a clue what the benefit of having them is...can someone enlighten me please? Im about to put new valve seals in and figured if they're worth it i would go ahead and throw some in during reassebly 
:edit: if it helps i have a '87 Corvette
:edit: if it helps i have a '87 Corvette
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CRV3TT3
I keep seeing roller rockers every where and i dont have a clue what the benefit of having them is...can someone enlighten me please? Im about to put new valve seals in and figured if they're worth it i would go ahead and throw some in during reassebly
:edit: if it helps i have a '87 Corvette
:edit: if it helps i have a '87 Corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,298
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
You can also get them with a 1.6 and 1.7 ratios which will add a little more lift to the valves. Enter you vette info into the summit site and you will see whats available. You will need the non self aligning type.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I really like the Comp Cam Pro Magnums. They're hard to beat for long term street use and are rebuildable if ever need be. They're stainless steel but are as light or lighter than most aluminum ones as well as being more compact. I've been running them for over 20K miles with no problems. They also stay in adjustment, they're always right on when I check them.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Here's a link for CC. There's a font of info on this sight. Once you know what you want, check on your part numbers at Jegs. They're a forum sponsor and hard to beat on prices for such things.
Comp Cams
Comp Cams
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: overworld
if your not changing to a 1.6 ratio rocker dont waste your money. its the better ratio not the roller tip that is helping. full roller rockers are over kill for you as well. so don't get caught up buying those. Comp Magnums are good
Last edited by Ram Air Formula; Mar 20, 2006 at 09:31 PM.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Ram Air Formula
if your not changing to a 1.6 ratio rocker dont waste your money. also roller tip rockers really offer nothing but a lighter wallet. you need a full roller rocker with a roller fulcrum to see any benefits from the roller design. however Comp Magnums are good rockers and if you switch to 1.6 ratio are worth your time and money. just know that it's the better ratio that is helping not the roller tip.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I really like the Comp Cam Pro Magnums. They're hard to beat for long term street use and are rebuildable if ever need be. They're stainless steel but are as light or lighter than most aluminum ones as well as being more compact. I've been running them for over 20K miles with no problems. They also stay in adjustment, they're always right on when I check them.
I got mine from Jegs
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Another big deal is the oil temp reduction. The rollerized trunion helps to reduce oil temps compared to the stock ball pivot design. Roller rockers are a good deal all around. Accurate ratios, quality stable construction and a roller tip and trunion make it all good.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Isn't wear another factor? My understanding is that roller rockers wear better (better, longer, more progressive). I didn't know that about the oil temperature, tho. Good piece of info.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: overworld
yep i sure am. i rewrote what i said the first time. i thought it may have been confusing, but that's about it. a roller tip really doesn't offer anything to justify the change. that's why i say if your not changing the ratio don't bother, a roller tip alone is not worth it. however there is no reason to avoid a roller tip rocker by any means. the original question was about roller rockers being used. he mentioned nothing about changing the ratio. i just didn't want him switching to a 1.5 roller tip rocker thinking he made some great improvement. he could swap on factory 1.6 LT4 rockers and be doing much better. stamped steel and all.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by CRV3TT3
could i get the LT4 "hot cam" kit that comes with rockers and everything else and everything work?
Ram Air, I am not sure the performance comunity would agree with you on the roller rocker thing. You are correct in that the roller tip does not roll over the valve tip, it slides. The big advantage is in the reduction in trunion friction which means less oil heat (thank you Pete K). You are surely correct in that they are not,unto themselves, big power adders but if included in an overall power increace program do make a contribution.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orlando Florida
How well could a stamped rocker be from 20 years ago? One of the Chevy mags, I forgot which one, even said that a swap for the same ratio roller rocker would be a benefit over the stamped rocker that is so old. The machining from 20 years ago isn't as accurate as the CNC machining of today so what you're buying today, 1.6 or whatever is truly a 1.6.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
When the 265 was introduced the idea was to produce a stouter engine with super reliability at the lowest possible cost. The rockers ended up as stamped pieces. Considering how many SBCs have been built with these stamped rockers the General didn't do so bad. There is no question that a machined rocker will be more accurate but at what cost? As always, you get what you pay for. I am a bit suprised someone hasn't brought up shaft rockers. At one time shaft systems for the SBC was the domain of the expensive race only engine. Today a shaft system can be had for little more than a high end set of roller rockers. A shaft would be my option had I not already invested in a set of 1.6 rockers as a part of a Hot Cam kit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: backwoods upstate ny
great big disadvantage is when they break and all those cute little needle bearings start looking for the oil pump--your oil pump is a ''gear'' type unit that is very allergic to needle bearings...epoxying screens in the cyl head oil returns helps but the pushrod holes are still there..even new occasionally fail.
never been in there when its running but i've watched em while turning the engine to pre-oil and they do roll then, not slide.
theories are less mass allows higher rpm, less lubrication reqd so less failure due to lack thereof, less valve guide wear
theories are guesses-some right,some not.
i've used em in my rail drag/ 11,500 rpm thru the eyes,no prob...in bbc endurance l88 at 24 hr daytona, no prob...got roller TIP 1.5 in my vette (got a set of 1.6 on the shelf cause they made no improvement so why wear the cam faster)...but i've driven over 2 million miles, most in sbc cars, with only one stamped rocker break
never been in there when its running but i've watched em while turning the engine to pre-oil and they do roll then, not slide.
theories are less mass allows higher rpm, less lubrication reqd so less failure due to lack thereof, less valve guide wear
theories are guesses-some right,some not.
i've used em in my rail drag/ 11,500 rpm thru the eyes,no prob...in bbc endurance l88 at 24 hr daytona, no prob...got roller TIP 1.5 in my vette (got a set of 1.6 on the shelf cause they made no improvement so why wear the cam faster)...but i've driven over 2 million miles, most in sbc cars, with only one stamped rocker break
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
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So in conclusion, there is really no need for an aftermarket system unless you are changing to a hot cam?
Roller rockers with a more agressive lift would be of any benefit with an OEM cam? Or should it be only used with a hot cam?
Roller rockers with a more agressive lift would be of any benefit with an OEM cam? Or should it be only used with a hot cam?