Roller Rocker question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Roller Rocker question
I see recommendations all the time in this section to add roller rockers when doing performance mods. I thought that rollers were used in high RPM motors and most of the recommendations that I read seem to be for lower rpm engines.
Don't they make 1.6 ratio stamped rockers?
Could someone explain how the performance increase of rollers will justify the added expense during a build.
Don't they make 1.6 ratio stamped rockers?
Could someone explain how the performance increase of rollers will justify the added expense during a build.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: powhatan va.
yes they make stamped rockers http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_43258_-1, but why buy the stamped when for 35 more dollars you can get the rollers? the roller rockers reduce the friction on the axis points, which will make more horses of which you wont feel when driving. you will see it on the dyno. its also easy on the rest of the valve train, by not having the flat piece of metal on the end of the stamped rocker touching the top of the valve.the roller rockers have a very small area touching the top of the valve because the end of the roller is round not flat. easier on lifters by not have the friction. i shift my engine at 6300 and i have these rollers http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LT1-V...spagenameZWDVW. they havent gave me any problems. unless you are twisting big rpms these should be just fine. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Actually the roller in the tip of a roller rocker is not rolling on top of the valve, it slides too (everything happens too fast). But the roller bearings in roller rocker lessen friction and also make valve gear run cooler.
In the end they are a better design than the old stamped ones and will give you a small gain in hp and cooler oil. 10-15hp is a common figure tossed around here vs. stamped ones.
In the end they are a better design than the old stamped ones and will give you a small gain in hp and cooler oil. 10-15hp is a common figure tossed around here vs. stamped ones.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Thanks
10-15HP seems a stretch unless that includes a ratio bump but I do see the "while I'm building it anyway" logic. As always my question was answered in a clear and concise manner.
You guys (an some gals here) will be my new best friends during this project.
10-15HP seems a stretch unless that includes a ratio bump but I do see the "while I'm building it anyway" logic. As always my question was answered in a clear and concise manner.
You guys (an some gals here) will be my new best friends during this project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Sorry, that figure was indeed for going 1.5->1.6 ratio. There is a gain with rockers even with same ratio but I cannot remember what people have reported. Remember however that the stock are not exactly 1.5 but a bit less so even the 1.5 RR's are a minor ratio bump. 
I myself went from stock 1.5 rockers to Crane 1.6.
I myself went from stock 1.5 rockers to Crane 1.6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Your stamped rockers are supposed to be 1.5, but many have measured these and they VARY all over the place. They actually seem to land somewhere between 1.42 and 1.5, more often on the lower end. The stamping does not put out a quality standard product. For a stock engine, this is fine. But for more power and efficency go with the roller rockers. They are machined so you will get quality and standard measurements from rocker to rocker. The roller rocker generates less heat. I noticed a 10-12 degree drop in oil temp. when I installed them on my L98. I used 1.5 and 1.6 and did notice an increase in HP on the old iron heads. Even more with the AFR's.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
yes they make stamped rockers http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_43258_-1, but why buy the stamped when for 35 more dollars you can get the rollers? the roller rockers reduce the friction on the axis points, which will make more horses of which you wont feel when driving. you will see it on the dyno. its also easy on the rest of the valve train, by not having the flat piece of metal on the end of the stamped rocker touching the top of the valve.the roller rockers have a very small area touching the top of the valve because the end of the roller is round not flat. easier on lifters by not have the friction. i shift my engine at 6300 and i have these rollers http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LT1-V...ag enameZWDVW. they havent gave me any problems. unless you are twisting big rpms these should be just fine.
Did these rockers make more engine noise or are they as wuiet as stock ones?
Did these rockers make more engine noise or are they as wuiet as stock ones?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
The roller tip type are a good compromise if you can't justify cost of full roller rocker.
True ratio and reduced friction on the valve.
Comp Cam Magnum roller tip series.
Available in self aligning or non SA
True ratio and reduced friction on the valve.
Comp Cam Magnum roller tip series.
Available in self aligning or non SA
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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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
Spend a few more bucks and get it right the first time. The biggest gains in efficiency come from roller fulcrums, not just the roller tips. Buy quality, don't scrimp here. Comp Cams Pro Magnums (what I use), Crane Golds, which are the aftermarket version of the LT4 factory rocker and other quality full roller rockers will serve you well. You'll also need longer studs in the order of 1.75" to 1.825" length. Stock is 1.625". You'll need the longer studs to have good thread contact area on the poly-locks. Avoid cheapies like Proforms and no-name brands like the plague. They'll fall apart in short order which could have catastrophic results. My stainless steel Pro Mags have over 30K miles on them with no problems and have always stayed in adjustment. And they're rebuildable when need be.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
yes they make stamped rockers http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_43258_-1, but why buy the stamped when for 35 more dollars you can get the rollers? the roller rockers reduce the friction on the axis points, which will make more horses of which you wont feel when driving. you will see it on the dyno. its also easy on the rest of the valve train, by not having the flat piece of metal on the end of the stamped rocker touching the top of the valve.the roller rockers have a very small area touching the top of the valve because the end of the roller is round not flat. easier on lifters by not have the friction. i shift my engine at 6300 and i have these rollers http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LT1-V...ag enameZWDVW. they havent gave me any problems. unless you are twisting big rpms these should be just fine.
Did these rockers make more engine noise or are they as wuiet as stock ones?
Did these rockers make more engine noise or are they as wuiet as stock ones?
They are as quiet as the stock ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
No one should install a set of roller rockers expecting huge performance gains in itself. Of course going to 1.6 from 1.5 would give you some more lift and more than likely some added performance but that would also happen with increased ratio stamped rockers. When building a motor the sum of all the gains here and there is what counts. A little less friction with roller rockers added to a little porting added to headers added to a better intake and so on. It's probably a small gain but a gain none the less to add to all the other gains.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
Just a side note, but somewhat related; The PO of my BB '73 was running higher-than-stock-ratio stamped rockers and was running consistent 12.20's. He switched to standard-ratio rollers and immediately started running 12.40's. In that engine, the benefit of the added lift FAR outweighed the benefits of the rollers.