99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I would like suggestions on selecting new rocker arms, locks & retainers for my application. My 99 T/A has it's original Head & Cam set up and still runs very well.

It's time to replace valve springs gain because the 224 cam has XE-R lobes & .581 lift. The car sees some performace use and usually about 5,000 miles a year on the street. Shift point is about 6200 so no insane rpm.

The heads were set up for Comp Cam 987 dual springs so that's probably the spring set that will have to go back.

However, after the last couple of spring changes the retainers look a little beat up. Stay with the stock retainers or step up to an aftermarket steel or titanium one?

Likewise for the retainers.

With the stock rockers having about 130,000 miles on them, should they be replaced? New set of stock rockers or is their a good aftermarket choice?

Thank you

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

Upgraded stock.

BigBirdLS1

I'd just replace your springs, valve seals, retainers, and just do the comp cam trunion upgrade on your stock rockers.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Did a little more research and it OD was machined bigger to accept the wider for the 987's but the 918's look like they should work.

My current plan is 26918TS-KIT and the Comp Cam's trunion upgrade on the stock rockers.

Kit Includes:
26918-16 Beehive™ Valve Springs
1772-16 Lightweight Tool Steel Retainers
623-16 7° Steel Valve Locks
511-16 Valve Seals
4705-16 Spring Seats

Thank you

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

That looks like a decent plan. Titanium on the street long term can present some hassles, it doesn't play well with other materials and can crack from something so minor as a scratch. If you had steel retainers looking "beat up" then I think the tool steel retainer was a good choice over titanium.

Have you considered other springs though if you look outside Comp there are other choices that would use those retainers. Could look at say a nitrided spring from someone else PAC or PSI

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Trunion upgrade for stock rockers

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I've used Comp Cams parts many times without problems. My friend who did the install ten years ago was a big fan of Comp Cams & used their parts in his projects.

Had a Doug Herber 383 small block chevy several years ago that didn't use any Comp parts that had a lot of valve train issues & was toast at 2,000 miles in my 72 vette. Some of the problems were the parts & some the builder. The new Dart 400 was built by a different builder who insisted on all Comp parts. That engine has been flawless in my 72 vette.

I know there are other good manufactures but I'd rather stay with Comp based on my personal experience.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

I wasn't saying anything bad about Comp, just saying if you look beyond them you have more spring options. Besides I don't think Comp manufactures springs, only a few companies do and then they get a lot of brand names boxes to put the same springs in.

A few years ago when the Comp 918s got a bad reputation was because Comp had switched from a supplier here in the US to one in South America, they just get put in a box that says Comp on it.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

All's good

That's true there was a big stink about the 918's a while back. Your right there are a lot more options.

Brian Tooley Racing

iTrader: (13)

You might consider my new Platinum dual valve spring kit, I have them with ultra light weight tool steel retainers as well as titanium.

http://www.briantooleyracing.com/660...retainers.html

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Hey Brian,

I will take a look at your new website.

All the new hardware is for the TEA Stage 2 heads I purchased way back in 2001 or 2002 from you. They are still on my 99 T/A and have almost 100,000 miles on them