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:

Is the rocker trunion upgrade worthwhile?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2013 | 07:55 PM
  #1  
JoeJ's Avatar
JoeJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 23
From: Louisville KY
Default Is the rocker trunion upgrade worthwhile?

Like many gear heads I would like to keep my 03 Z as reliable as possible. I've read some posts about the Comp Cams trunion upgrade kit, and would like to know if it is really necessary? Do that many engines really have problems? Is it a mod more geared for track cars or will most all benefit?

Lastly, will it help with what I think is the standard LS6 valve train noise?

Looking forward to your feedback.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2013 | 09:41 PM
  #2  
warren s's Avatar
warren s
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Default

I believe the trunion upgrade is beneficial for higher lift cams and non stock valve springs.

When I changed my heads and cam I was advised to include the trunion upgrade for having a reliable valve train that can handle up to 7000 rpm.

I don’t recall hearing its needed for a stock engine.

Accurate push rod length was critical in minimizing the dreaded sewing machine sound of the LS valve train for me.,but I doubt there is much that can be done to reduce it on a stock LS engine.

Last edited by warren s; Dec 10, 2013 at 09:49 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 01:44 AM
  #3  
American Heritage's Avatar
American Heritage
Supporting Vendor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 1,241
From: Harbor City California
Default

Comp Cams Trunion upgrade is "highly recommended" when swapping cam and springs.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 02:46 AM
  #4  
Supercharged111's Avatar
Supercharged111
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
Default

Wasn't there a certain year when the trunions became much less of a liability?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:16 AM
  #5  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Another upgrade choice is CHE rocker arm bushings instead of needle bearings.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:03 AM
  #6  
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 Supercharged111
Wasn't there a certain year when the trunions became much less of a liability?
Yes, although I don't recall the year. I think it was a forum member who worked for GM that provided that information.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 08:53 AM
  #7  
oh1vette's Avatar
oh1vette
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Default

did mine along with the supercharger install
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 01:00 PM
  #8  
zeevette's Avatar
zeevette
Race Director
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
Default

Not that much more to get Harland Sharp full roller rockers. Easier to install, too.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 01:20 PM
  #9  
Navybluevette's Avatar
Navybluevette
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 8
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

My car is going in next week for heads and cam and also will be doing the grunion upgrade.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:07 PM
  #10  
nullpointer's Avatar
nullpointer
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 42
From: East Aurora NY
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Another upgrade choice is CHE rocker arm bushings instead of needle bearings.
I'm going this route, bit more pricey compared to comp upgrades
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:56 PM
  #11  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by nullpointer
I'm going this route, bit more pricey compared to comp upgrades
For those keeping the OE rocker arms, it is the top-shelf option. Nothing really wrong with the CC upgrade, but CHE takes to the highest level.

Where are you getting yours from? Charlie at RPM?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:52 PM
  #12  
nullpointer's Avatar
nullpointer
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 42
From: East Aurora NY
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
For those keeping the OE rocker arms, it is the top-shelf option. Nothing really wrong with the CC upgrade, but CHE takes to the highest level.

Where are you getting yours from? Charlie at RPM?
Richard @ West Coast Cylinder Heads

Probably going to send them in January, one less thing to cause issues
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:59 PM
  #13  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by nullpointer
Richard @ West Coast Cylinder Heads

Probably going to send them in January, one less thing to cause issues
You're right. No needle bearings, no potential loose needles.
The CHEs are nice.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2013 | 08:52 PM
  #14  
American Heritage's Avatar
American Heritage
Supporting Vendor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 1,241
From: Harbor City California
Default

Originally Posted by nullpointer
Richard @ West Coast Cylinder Heads

Probably going to send them in January, one less thing to cause issues
When your ready consider us.

American Heritage Performance
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/

We provide top tier work at a very reasonable price.
We have been servicing, building and modifying LS engines since 1997
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2013 | 08:35 AM
  #15  
leadfoot4's Avatar
leadfoot4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
Default

Originally Posted by zeevette
Not that much more to get Harland Sharp full roller rockers. Easier to install, too.
Are you serious?


The CC kit is $140-150, and the HS rockers are something like $350-400, aren't they? Plus, the CC kit is remove the rocker, press out OE "junk" trunnions and quasi-bearings, then press in CC's real bearings and real trunnions. Reinstall rocker, torque bolt. No worries about lash, pushrod length, etc....
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2013 | 10:48 AM
  #16  
nullpointer's Avatar
nullpointer
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 42
From: East Aurora NY
Default

Originally Posted by American Heritage
When your ready consider us.

American Heritage Performance
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/

We provide top tier work at a very reasonable price.
We have been servicing, building and modifying LS engines since 1997
You provide CHE rocker upgrades ? PM me price for me sending you my rockers to be upgraded
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2013 | 05:28 PM
  #17  
JoeJ's Avatar
JoeJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 23
From: Louisville KY
Default

Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Are you serious?


The CC kit is $140-150, and the HS rockers are something like $350-400, aren't they? Plus, the CC kit is remove the rocker, press out OE "junk" trunnions and quasi-bearings, then press in CC's real bearings and real trunnions. Reinstall rocker, torque bolt. No worries about lash, pushrod length, etc....
That's what I was thinking....

Thanks for the feedback so far. Does anyone know more detail about specific years that possibly less susceptible to failures?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Is the rocker trunion upgrade worthwhile?

Old Dec 12, 2013 | 05:57 PM
  #18  
zeevette's Avatar
zeevette
Race Director
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
Default

Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Are you serious?


The CC kit is $140-150, and the HS rockers are something like $350-400, aren't they? Plus, the CC kit is remove the rocker, press out OE "junk" trunnions and quasi-bearings, then press in CC's real bearings and real trunnions. Reinstall rocker, torque bolt. No worries about lash, pushrod length, etc....
I got mine for free, and the last time I saw a set for sale was a few years ago. I used the 7.9" PRs that Trickflow supplied, and set them just like the stock rockers. About 7 years ago. I use the stock valve covers, too. The HS rockers don't have needle bearings. No machine work to install. Just sayin', it's an option.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2013 | 06:08 PM
  #19  
leadfoot4's Avatar
leadfoot4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
Default

Originally Posted by zeevette
I got mine for free, and the last time I saw a set for sale was a few years ago. I used the 7.9" PRs that Trickflow supplied, and set them just like the stock rockers. About 7 years ago. I use the stock valve covers, too. The HS rockers don't have needle bearings. No machine work to install. Just sayin', it's an option.
That slight fact might make me use them too.....
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2013 | 09:59 PM
  #20  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 243
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by zeevette
.........The HS rockers don't have needle bearings..........
I also like Harland Sharp's products and quality, but unless there's something I'm missing, they DO in fact, use "needle bearings" in their design.





Harland Sharp:
"Our heavy-duty roller bearing
wall thickness provides the maximum strength that you can rely on. All Harland Sharp Roller Bearings are hand assembled. Each assembly contains 27 needle bearings. These assemblies are knurled to achieve a precision press fit. In addition, they are heat treated and black oxidized to achieve maximum strength and durability."
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:50 AM.

story-0
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE