C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1.8 ratio rockers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:11 PM
  #1  
JetMechZ16's Avatar
JetMechZ16
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 19,864
Likes: 146
From: South East TN
Default 1.8 ratio rockers

I've read that there is some power increases to be had by switching to 1.8 ratio rockers. I have a couple of questions on this subject.

Car is a 04 Z06 CE, long tube headers, Vararam CAI, 160 tstat, cat delete, MSD wires, Tune, RevTech catch can. Last dyno was 390 WHP.

1. Can I use original springs and push rods?
2. What power gains could be expected from this?
3. Would a new tune be needed?
4. Any negatives to doing this, or is it just not worth it?

Thanks for any input you guys might have.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 03:16 PM
  #2  
Johnny@MTI's Avatar
0Johnny@MTI
Former Vendor
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
Default

1.8 rockers is more of a Small block trick. Small blocks require allot more labor to do a cam swap and the upgraded rockers are a very inexpensive way to get the feel of a larger cam.

Cam swaps on LS1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 is allot simpler. Most times we find that a cam swap costs almost as much as rocker swaps. The final result can get a cam with a grind for your car. That result is better but, for almost the same money as cnc rockers.

Give us a call; we can give you free tech on finding the right cam for your car. 770-919-7774

Last edited by Johnny@MTI; Jul 8, 2013 at 03:20 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 05:04 PM
  #3  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

See below in red One place this modification has yielded some pretty good results is when the rockers compliment the ASA or Hot Cam.


Originally Posted by JetMechZ16
I've read that there is some power increases to be had by switching to 1.8 ratio rockers. I have a couple of questions on this subject.

Car is a 04 Z06 CE, long tube headers, Vararam CAI, 160 tstat, cat delete, MSD wires, Tune, RevTech catch can. Last dyno was 390 WHP.

1. Can I use original springs and push rods?
No, hence the cost when comparing to a cam swap.
2. What power gains could be expected from this?
Maybe 10 hp
3. Would a new tune be needed?
Probably not
4. Any negatives to doing this, or is it just not worth it?
Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. IMO, no, not worth the cost as a stand alone modification

Thanks for any input you guys might have.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 05:35 PM
  #4  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I agree!! You will surely need new springs!!!

Just save you bucks for a good ole cam swap and a tune!

Bill
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2013 | 06:19 PM
  #5  
NukeC5's Avatar
NukeC5
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Default

thought of this in the past. Ended up choosing the h/c swap.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 12:32 PM
  #6  
JetMechZ16's Avatar
JetMechZ16
Thread Starter
Race Director
10 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 19,864
Likes: 146
From: South East TN
Default

Originally Posted by vettenuts
See below in red One place this modification has yielded some pretty good results is when the rockers compliment the ASA or Hot Cam.
So if I was going to do a cam change at some point in the future would it be ok to do a valve spring and rocker change to the 1.8 ratio now and do the cam at a later time?
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 01:33 PM
  #7  
AngryTurtle's Avatar
AngryTurtle
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 10
From: Charleston, SC
Default

Installing rockers is 100 times easier then swapping a cam. It may cost about the same in parts. But you can pretty easily DIY rockers while cam swaps are much more involved.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 03:00 PM
  #8  
Johnny@MTI's Avatar
0Johnny@MTI
Former Vendor
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16
So if I was going to do a cam change at some point in the future would it be ok to do a valve spring and rocker change to the 1.8 ratio now and do the cam at a later time?
almost every cam for lsx motors is made for the factory rockers. installing a set of 1.8 rockers will increase the lift substantially. this will severely limit your cam selection. it will be more throwing good money after bad.

think of it this way

1.8 rockers $400 + good springs, retainers, locks and seals- $400 + custom grind cam to adjust for the higher ratio rockers $600. = $1400

or MTI V3 cam with proven hp increases+ springs rockers and seals, a comp camshaft, lock plate, and a fresh gm performance 3 bolt cam gear $1100

you will be spending Less for more performance with just a cam swap.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 9, 2013 | 04:23 PM
  #9  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16
So if I was going to do a cam change at some point in the future would it be ok to do a valve spring and rocker change to the 1.8 ratio now and do the cam at a later time?
It may limit cam selection and the lobe type you can run.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2013 | 10:18 PM
  #10  
A.R. Shale Targa's Avatar
A.R. Shale Targa
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Fredonia Wisconsin
Default

I previously wanted to try this trick and thought about the 8-12 horse
would be a nice addition..I ended up swapping in an EPS 218/226 cam
and picked up roughly 35 ponies with no loss in drivability.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1.8 ratio rockers





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:05 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE