Need advice on rocker arms
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Need advice on rocker arms
For a heads/mild cam A4 car putting out 405 RWHP through 3.90 gears I would like to know what the best options are in regards to upgrading rocker arms. I currently am running the factory rocker arm setup. I'm sure that there are many choices out there and I want to know what the rest of the high H.P. crowd is running. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
I am running stock rockers... I had a set of $800 crane full roller rockers before and IMO, it was a waste of money. Spend the money on an ATI crank pulley instead. That (again IMO) is a smart thing to do.
VR
VR
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Originally Posted by FKING1
Running 1.8 Jesels. Figure if the NASCAR people use Jesels they are good enough for me.
Fred
Fred
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by XTrooper
I picked up 12 rwhp and 8 rwtq with my set of Crane 1.80 rockers. I didn't and don't consider that a waste. I'm also using an ATI Super Damper underdrive pulley. 
VR
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Went in for an oil change today and the magnetic drain plug picked up several needle bearings. The Vette Doctors said that it is most likely a rocker(s) coming apart. On their older heads/cam packages the stock rockers were used. May be a good time to upgrade if that is the problem. I will know more once they pull the valve covers off. Otherwise the car runs as strong as ever and I wouldn't have known there was a problem whatsoever. Do you think that the local Jiffy Lube would have picked it up? 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Originally Posted by vetterdstr
Did you add both the rockers and the ATI pulley at the same time and then dyno the car?
VR
VR
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by XTrooper
I'm dumb, but not that dumb and realize if I had done both together the gains couldn't be attributed to the rocker arms alone. That wasn't the case. I had the ATI Super Damper installed during my last cam swap which was well before the addition of the Crane 1.80 roller rockers.
I have seen it from your side now look at it from mine. At my cars current 668 RWHP, installing roller rockers to pick up more Horsepower at $800 (for 12 more rwhp) is a waste of money. Although this thread is about replacement rockers due to OE failure...not Horse Power... so installing them for HP gains is moot here. If I were replacing the rockers for an upgrade because of the OE's had failed, I would get the stock ratio Jessels. Those would suit my car the best.
VR
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 0
From: Winston Salem NC
There have been problems with pedestal roller rockers. If the pedestal is not perfect the rocker will wear to one side and the roller will eat through the rocker. Shaft rockers may be too expensive for some and do often require modifications such as higher valve covers.
I went with Harland sharp's rebuilt stock rockers. You can call Nate at Nasty Performance for details. 847-458-4858
I went with Harland sharp's rebuilt stock rockers. You can call Nate at Nasty Performance for details. 847-458-4858
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Originally Posted by vetterdstr
Thanks for the explanation! I have seen it from your side now look at it from mine. At my cars current 668 RWHP, installing roller rockers to pick up more Horsepower at $800 (for 12 more rwhp) is a waste of money.
Although this thread is about replacement rockers due to OE failure...not Horse Power... so installing them for HP gains is moot here. If I were replacing the rockers for an upgrade because of the OE's had failed, I would get the stock ratio Jessels. Those would suit my car the best.
VR
I have seen it from your side now look at it from mine. At my cars current 668 RWHP, installing roller rockers to pick up more Horsepower at $800 (for 12 more rwhp) is a waste of money. Although this thread is about replacement rockers due to OE failure...not Horse Power... so installing them for HP gains is moot here. If I were replacing the rockers for an upgrade because of the OE's had failed, I would get the stock ratio Jessels. Those would suit my car the best.
VR
FWIW, for anyone interested, you can get the Crane Golds in 1.70 and for less than $800.
