Roller rocker and valvespring installation time?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 148
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From: Mitchell, Indiana
Roller rocker and valvespring installation time?
Hey guys I was just curious on about how long it will take to install a pair of 1.6 roller rockers and new valvesprings. I was also curious to whether or not the valvespring would hurt anything because they are suppose to support up to .600 lift and with the stock cam and just 1.6 roller rockers I will only have a little under .500 lift? How difficult is this job also? I already have the valvesprings but im undecided on if I want to just get some 4.10's for my 6 speed or get the 1.6 roller rockers? Help is appreciated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (95_6spdvette)
My advice: 4.10 is too much gear for a manual trans (too much for an auto trans too in my opinion).
You'll blow the tires off in first gear due to the multiplication factor.
Rockers are the better move, but installing springs is not just a "bolt on" deal.
You need to set the installed height for each to make sure you have the correct seat pressure. This may call for adding/removing shims. Different springs call for different installed heights so that the seat pressure is correct.
You don't just pop off the old springs and pop on the new ones.
To do it "right" calls for using a specialized spring height checking tool. I know you can rent the spring compressor from AutoZone for free, but I don't know if they have the height checking tool too.
Jake
[Modified by JAKE, 8:28 PM 4/8/2004]
You'll blow the tires off in first gear due to the multiplication factor.
Rockers are the better move, but installing springs is not just a "bolt on" deal.
You need to set the installed height for each to make sure you have the correct seat pressure. This may call for adding/removing shims. Different springs call for different installed heights so that the seat pressure is correct.
You don't just pop off the old springs and pop on the new ones.
To do it "right" calls for using a specialized spring height checking tool. I know you can rent the spring compressor from AutoZone for free, but I don't know if they have the height checking tool too.
Jake
[Modified by JAKE, 8:28 PM 4/8/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 494
From: Corrales NM
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (95_6spdvette)
I agree with Pete K. I installed LT4 springs and 1.6 Crane Cams Gold Race roller rockers (same as the LT4 rockers except they are adjustable, the LT4 rockers are not) on my 95. This increased my closed pressure to 110 lbs (from 85 on a stock 95) and increased lift 8%. You will need to have the higher pressure springs because the valves have to accelerate faster when closing. This will prevent valve float at high RPMs and is one of the reasons why the LT4 went in this direction (along with the higher red line). Since the LT4 springs have an oval coil there is absolutely no chance of coil bind. GM did their homework on this and you will have no problems. This change did wake up my engine. It was most noticable at higher RPMs.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (JAKE)
My advice: 4.10 is too much gear for a manual trans (too much for an auto trans too in my opinion).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,403
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From: Denver CO
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (95_6spdvette)
I can't say it enough 4.10 4.10 4.10s.
Best bang for the buck.
With auto you can only get 3.73 gears in a Dana36 crrier.
With manual 4.10 fit all day thanks to the Dana 44.
Best bang for the buck.
With auto you can only get 3.73 gears in a Dana36 crrier.
With manual 4.10 fit all day thanks to the Dana 44.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (95_6spdvette)
Rockers are easy, springs really aren't. If you know what you're doing and you've done it before you can do it in about a day. If you've never done it before be prepared to hurt somebody. If the heads are stock you shouldn't have to do THAT much shimming on the springs, depending on what you get. I guess a better way to say it would be that it should be fairly consistent shim for all of the springs. If your heads have been worked on you might need more variation with the shims.
In any case if you're looking for bang for the buck that you're gonna feel, go with the gears. The gears will make it easier to blow your tires off, and they will cost you some gas mileage.
The rockers won't give you a whole lot more power. Sure it's worthwhile but you won't feel it like you will the gears. They also won't cost you as much in the fuel economy department so long as you keep your foot out of it.
In any case if you're looking for bang for the buck that you're gonna feel, go with the gears. The gears will make it easier to blow your tires off, and they will cost you some gas mileage.
The rockers won't give you a whole lot more power. Sure it's worthwhile but you won't feel it like you will the gears. They also won't cost you as much in the fuel economy department so long as you keep your foot out of it.
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7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7
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From: Poway CA
Re: Roller rocker and valvespring installation time? (95_6spdvette)
I installed the CompCam 1.6 rockers on my stock '94 without a spring change and definately noticed the positive performance difference. On the '94 though, I had to go to the push rod guides and hardened rods. I have had these in for about a year and have not felt any deterioation or symptoms of weak valve springs. This job is fairly easy, but you may have to modify the webs on the inside of your valve covers.