Roller Rockers
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
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From: Overland Park Kansas
WOW what a Horse power gain with Rocker arms
Wow what a difference some rocker arms make!! Thanks again for all the advice guys I can't believe the horse power gains.
I took this car to the track before the rocker arm install and the best time I ran was a 15.6
I went back to the track Yesterday and ran a 14.5 for a best time and a 14.7 for a worst time.
This is hands down proof that the rocker arm replacement is a big horse power gain.
I took this car to the track before the rocker arm install and the best time I ran was a 15.6
I went back to the track Yesterday and ran a 14.5 for a best time and a 14.7 for a worst time.
This is hands down proof that the rocker arm replacement is a big horse power gain.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 27
From: St James New York
I was thinking of doing this upgrade on my '89 L98 mostly stock C4. Would I also want to run 1.6 R/Rockers for my engine/year? Will I have clearance problems with my OEM valve covers? What kind of HP gains can I expect? If anyone has done this on an '89 what parts did you buy? Where did you get them? Price? How did the install go? Thanks for any responses.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 686
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I'd say on average, rollers do reduce internal friction and should make more Tq available at the crank. It's probably negligible, unless the roller rockers have a slightly increased ratio, and in that case the gains will depend on restrictions / configuration of intake / exh. ports, seat angles, and other factors. I was happified after I switched, FWIW.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 512
Likes: 2
From: Denton TX
Besides...roller rockers must have a different type of nut to hold them in place...with roller rockers...the adjusting nut...is bigger too...you gotta have bigger nuts with roller rockers...They are taller...that is where the clearance comes in your adjusting nuts will hit the baffles in your valve covers...you get the picture...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 37
From: Texas
The body of roller rockers are bigger than the stamped steel POS that come from the fractory ( not misspelled)...its a fractory. a GM one at that...
Besides...roller rockers must have a different type of nut to hold them in place...with roller rockers...the adjusting nut...is bigger too...you gotta have bigger nuts with roller rockers...They are taller...that is where the clearance comes in your adjusting nuts will hit the baffles in your valve covers...you get the picture...
Besides...roller rockers must have a different type of nut to hold them in place...with roller rockers...the adjusting nut...is bigger too...you gotta have bigger nuts with roller rockers...They are taller...that is where the clearance comes in your adjusting nuts will hit the baffles in your valve covers...you get the picture...
And on the exhaust question...
Melrose makes a full off road system with an X pipe.
Seems to fit the early cars pretty well from the research I have done.
I was looking at this system myself but decided to go with hookers and hook up to my existing exhaust just to save money... alot of money.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
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From: Overland Park Kansas
LMAO!!! No Overland Park is not where the BTK killer is from. It's where Bob Berdella is from, (the guy who ate his victims). BTK lived three hours from here lol (just down the street).
Overland Park - isn't that where the BTK killer used to stomp ?
I'd say on average, rollers do reduce internal friction and should make more Tq available at the crank. It's probably negligible, unless the roller rockers have a slightly increased ratio, and in that case the gains will depend on restrictions / configuration of intake / exh. ports, seat angles, and other factors. I was happified after I switched, FWIW.
I'd say on average, rollers do reduce internal friction and should make more Tq available at the crank. It's probably negligible, unless the roller rockers have a slightly increased ratio, and in that case the gains will depend on restrictions / configuration of intake / exh. ports, seat angles, and other factors. I was happified after I switched, FWIW.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
I was thinking of doing this upgrade on my '89 L98 mostly stock C4. Would I also want to run 1.6 R/Rockers for my engine/year? Will I have clearance problems with my OEM valve covers? What kind of HP gains can I expect? If anyone has done this on an '89 what parts did you buy? Where did you get them? Price? How did the install go? Thanks for any responses.
My Cranes were on sale at Summit for $224 bucks.
I was told by about everyone on this site that I should get a 15 HP gain and they were on the money. You don't take half a second off of your quarter mile time without a nice HP gain.
As for the install, a very nice member off of here sent me step by step instructions on how to do it and it went real well with no problems.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
The body of roller rockers are bigger than the stamped steel POS that come from the fractory ( not misspelled)...its a fractory. a GM one at that...
Besides...roller rockers must have a different type of nut to hold them in place...with roller rockers...the adjusting nut...is bigger too...you gotta have bigger nuts with roller rockers...They are taller...that is where the clearance comes in your adjusting nuts will hit the baffles in your valve covers...you get the picture...
Besides...roller rockers must have a different type of nut to hold them in place...with roller rockers...the adjusting nut...is bigger too...you gotta have bigger nuts with roller rockers...They are taller...that is where the clearance comes in your adjusting nuts will hit the baffles in your valve covers...you get the picture...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Im also thinking some 1.6 rockers are a good idea for me. i like what i hear about pro magnums.
I also have an 86, mine with iron heads and just want someone to clarify that ill need the set for 3/8" studs right??
Has anyone ever heard of problems with staying with 3/8" rather than making the upgrade to 7/16"??
The reason i ask is because i plan to upgrade heads when its time to rebuild and i would rather not have to buy the same part over again in a different size. or do aftermarket heads typically have 7/16" studs?
I also have an 86, mine with iron heads and just want someone to clarify that ill need the set for 3/8" studs right??
Has anyone ever heard of problems with staying with 3/8" rather than making the upgrade to 7/16"??
The reason i ask is because i plan to upgrade heads when its time to rebuild and i would rather not have to buy the same part over again in a different size. or do aftermarket heads typically have 7/16" studs?
First, they have press-in studs, so you can't just swap studs. The heads have to be removed, the the stock studs removed, then the stud holes in the heads tapped for screw in studs.
The only work-around I know if is to have the stock 3/8" studs pinned to help prevent the stock studs from pulling out - which they are known to do from time to time.
Of course, this calls for the removal of the heads too, so why pin them when it's just as easy to have the stud holes tapped? This would then allow you to move to 7/16" studs as a direct screw in swap.
Second, the pushrod slots in the heads will need to be elongated using a Louis Tool, to allow the needed clearance for the pushrods when moving to 1.6 rockers. Failing to do that will probably cause you to end up with a bunch of bent pushrods - Been There!
Sorry for the "bad" news. Hope this helps.
Jake
West Point ROCKS!
