roller rockers
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Hummelstown Pa.
roller rockers
What do you guys think is the best set of roller rockers to put in a '93? Do the stock valve covers still fit over the 1.6 ratio rockers? Do you gain very much by doing this?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
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Re: roller rockers (snake killer)
Whichever rocker you go with on an LT1 you will need to grind down the drip tabs on the valve covers, otherwise they will fit just fine. I'm partial to crane gold's myself but to each their own. I don't know if I could bring myself to go with anything other than crane or comp.
Oh, and you'll REALLY want to change your LT1 springs if you go with 1.6 rockers. Some people will tell you that you can get away with stock springs but I wouldn't try it. The stock springs will be extremely close to coil bind. They are very weak springs to begin with and if you start pushing them farthter than intended you will have problems, it's only a matter of time. At the very least get a set of LT4 springs. They're not the best springs in the world either but they will take the lift.
Oh, and you'll REALLY want to change your LT1 springs if you go with 1.6 rockers. Some people will tell you that you can get away with stock springs but I wouldn't try it. The stock springs will be extremely close to coil bind. They are very weak springs to begin with and if you start pushing them farthter than intended you will have problems, it's only a matter of time. At the very least get a set of LT4 springs. They're not the best springs in the world either but they will take the lift.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: roller rockers (snake killer)
Do you gain very much by doing this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,784
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: roller rockers (STL94LT1)
Do you gain very much by doing this?
You will gain a smoother reving engine, especially above 5000 rpms. I am using Crane Gold 1.6 RR. I don't know if the Cranes are the best rockers, but they perform really well on my car.
You will gain a smoother reving engine, especially above 5000 rpms. I am using Crane Gold 1.6 RR. I don't know if the Cranes are the best rockers, but they perform really well on my car.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: roller rockers (STL94LT1)
I don't know if the Cranes are the best rockers, but they perform really well on my car.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: roller rockers (snake killer)
I stayed with the 1.5 Crane Gold RRs and put in the hardened pushrods. Why not 1.6's? Binding problem and reliablity. Just the addition of roller rockers made a nice difference in the smoothness of the engine at all RPMs. I was after a more efficient engine and I got it. When I want more speed I'll go with heads that are designed and set up for 1.6 RR and a cam that will take advantage of both. :auto:
Strick
Strick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
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From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: roller rockers (Strick)
...When I want more speed I'll go with heads that are designed and set up for 1.6 RR and a cam that will take advantage of both....
I bet you'd see a increase in your 1/4 MPH if you just swapped your stock LT1 springs with a set of LT4 springs.
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
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From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: roller rockers (snake killer)
What do you guys think is the best set of roller rockers to put in a '93? Do the stock valve covers still fit over the 1.6 ratio rockers? Do you gain very much by doing this?
The only thing I don't like about the steel RR is that there aren't any self aligning version out (yet?). I don't want to purchase hardened rods and guide plates, that will offset any savings in initial purchase price.
As stated by Nathan, you will need to swap your valve springs, LT4 springs are a great replacement for the stock LT1 cam and 1.6 rockers.
As for improvement, I've heard of a 2/10 decrease in 1/4 time, most folks attributed ~10 RWHP to this mod.
Eric
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
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From: The Motor City
Re: roller rockers (silver & red CE)
I've got a set of Comp Cams 1.6 Magnum roller rockers. They're not self-aligning (like the more expensive stainless steel Magnum Pro roller rockers), but they fit under my stock covers and I didn't have to change my stock pushrods or anything. A quick and simple install; definitely worth the money!
As for the performance, Active Racing Engines here in Toronto Canada said that they used to see a 25hp increase (at the flywheel) by just swaping the stock 1.5 rockers to 1.6 rockers (non-roller) on the stock 305 TPI engines in the Camaros they ran in the showroom stock class at Mosport. So a 25hp increase at the flywheel on a 350 TPI engine is probably a safe estimate.
Of course, that's at the flywheel. Rear wheel horsepower is another story...
As for the performance, Active Racing Engines here in Toronto Canada said that they used to see a 25hp increase (at the flywheel) by just swaping the stock 1.5 rockers to 1.6 rockers (non-roller) on the stock 305 TPI engines in the Camaros they ran in the showroom stock class at Mosport. So a 25hp increase at the flywheel on a 350 TPI engine is probably a safe estimate.
Of course, that's at the flywheel. Rear wheel horsepower is another story...
