I'm posting this thread here. Not sure if this is the right place, but it probably is. Anyway, I installed the Comp "upgraded" trunnion kit back in 2014. I've heard the horror stories, but still thought I'd be OK, since not all of them failed... Or did they?? I've gone through 2 lifter sets in the last 4 years, chasing what I thought was a lifter "bleed down." The only time it made any excessive tapping in the valvetrain was when it was started for the first time on any given day. One cylinder/rocker would tap-tap-tap away for 3 or 4 minutes, then slowly stop. This was too long for a piston slap, so I thought it was a lifter. This weekend, I finally tore the rockers off. What I found wasn't pretty. Looks just like all the other pics I've seen on here. Of the 32 bearing surfaces on the Comp trunnion axles, 31 were worn several thousandths. Only one end of the 32 bearing surfaces, one end of one trunnion axle, had no wear!! One other thing about the Comp kit that always bothered me was how much the rocker could move side to side. Mine moved at least .030", and some were maybe .050"! So-I went with the BTR 002 NB kit from Summit, around $150.00. BTR says to press the outer races into the rocker bore until flush with outer edge/side of the rocker. This still allowed the rocker about .015"-.020" movement side to side. Much better than Comp, but still just a bit too much for my liking. So I carefully pressed the races in a bit farther on each side, shooting for .003"-.005", or thereabouts. This reduced the side to side movement dramatically. It also added considerable labor and time. Well, I got them in, and fired it up. LS valvetrains have never been the quietest valvetrains, and mine is no exception. BUT, the loud tap-tap-tapping for the first 3 or 4 minutes is gone now!! It never really hurt the motor any, but it sure didn't sound good for several minutes.This tapping would only be noticeable on the first start of the day, which is why I thought a lifter, or two, were bleeding down. Not so. It is FINALLY fixed, and without pulling the heads and swapping lifters a third time!!! I'm a happy camper, I'll tell you. If I do end up having any issues with the BTR stuff, I'll post an update.

 

Going with the BTR TK002 (assuming it was a V2 kit), did you have any issues with contact like their disclaimer says?

Also did you use your original bolts?

 

No issues with anything, and yes, I've reused the OEM bolts several times. They are high quality, 10.9 hardened metric bolts. Can be reused indefinitely.......

 

Thanks for this post makes me wanna pull the valve covers off mine and check for any wear on mine. I didn't know of any of these issues with the upgrade kit.

 

I resisted checking mine. But finally did a few years ago. They were failing. I switched to the BTR V2.
BTR was correct about the valve cover clearance issue. Easily fixed with later covers.

The other thing to note. When you press one apart, the needles fall out, so you might as well have your replacements ready to install.

 

Boy, Ron, you got that right!! Those damn needles sure come out quick! Reminder of why we pack them with grease to install, although mine had already been packed pretty good, I put a bit extra in them to ensure a good install. Also put a small dab of grease in the pushrod cup of all 16 rockers, though it was probably overkill. This forum is the greatest. If theres one thing I've learned here all these years, it would be that if enough people here have had issues with a product, be it OEM or aftermarket, there's an issue. This coming from a guy with an LS7, and the problems those heads have had. You never hear of guys with an LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS6, or LS9 dropping valves, unless its an overrev/abuse issue. So many LS7 issues have been posted, you know there's a problem, whether the courts say so, or not!! Glad I tore into that, too, because forum members nailed it there, as well. Ostracizing a problem does nothing........

 

Given the rather poor performance of the Comp Cams trunnion kit, and given how long it's been on the market, you'd think that by now, they would have analyzed their issues, and fixed them!

 

A company that truly cared about its customers would be offering a discounted, upgraded "upgrade." You would also think they'd be promoting an updated part as "new and improved." Comp has been as forthcoming as GM has been with the LS7 head debacle. IMHO, too bad they ran Crane into bankruptcy. Sorry I ever changed my OEM trunnions. If they wouldn't have been pitched in the garbage when I went with Comp, I'd have reinstalled them. Never had an issue with them in a moderate cam in my LS1 heads, even when AFR installed the valvesprings .100" too short on installed height, making the springs even stiffer.......

 

After BTR developed the V2 trunnion kit with its many improvements, I’m mildly surprised other manufacturers aren’t jumping on the bandwagon. The drilled trunnion itself would be a significant oiling improvement for the bushing styles.

 

I agree, even run an exchange program where you could return your "old" CC trunnion kit for a new one. I have a set of the CC trunnions sitting on the shelf in my basement that I'd gladly exchange.....