BCook839

I have been doing alot of research on bolt-ons and noticed that 1.6 RR and springs seem to be highly recomended. Why is this? What kind of horsepower gains can be expected from this upgrade? Also what products are best to use? Comp Cams RR's and LT4 springs seem to be recomended alot.

Thanks
Ben

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

Honestly, I dont think it is worth it to get RRs unless you get them cheap, because they are expensive, and you really dont see a huge power gain. For twice the amount for the RRs you can get a nice cam and see some serious gains.

But think is just my .02

The way to find out what kind of power gain is to calculate the new lift gained, which will not be to much, your only going from a 1.5 to 1.6. it may net you anywhere from .030 to .040 more lift

JimboManJones

I have to disagree.

For about 195 for crane energizers, 25 for guideplates, and 50 for lt4 springs, and 40 for hardened pushrods you can see an easy 10-15 hp gain at the wheels. People spend 500 bucks on headers and exhaust and gain about 20 to the wheels, so roller rockers are defintely a worthwhile bolt on, plus you'll have a more stable/friction free valvetrain going to non self aligning roller rockers for when you do that cam.

And if your seriously on a budget, you can get self aligning proforms for like 180 and only have to upgrade the springs.

Just my .02

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

crane RRs are junk, they tend to deform and crack at the fulcrum. spilling all those little needle bearings all in your precious engine

buffman

iTrader: (9)

the gains from RR and springs (unless you dont have valvefloat) is worth the $$$ if you can shop wisely. Certainly better gains then a larger TB

the stock 1.5 ratio rocker is not a true 1.5. it's somewhat less. a rocker swap is like a mini cam swap. Im not sure if you F-body guys have weak valvesprings, but us B-car guys do, and typically have valve float above 4800rpm.

bhop42

iTrader: (2)

Yes it's worth it. I did the Lt4 valve springs and Proform Self Aligning narrow body 1.6 rockers. No clearance issues with springs or stock valve covers. I plan on running these until I build a big power stroker. http://www.gearsareus.com/ They are only $169 and could be used with a mild cam, but I wouldn't use them with a cam with aggressive lobes.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I calculated the difference in lift with the 1.5 and 1.6 ratio. You take your Cam lift with the 1.5's, and multiply that by 1.067 to get what the 1.6's will do.

Boodyrider

iTrader: (2)

Interesting opinion. Based on what experience?

Anecdotally, my Crane Gold SA RRs went 60k so far no problems on LT4 springs and stock cam, we'll see how they do with the XFI cam and Patriot Gold dual springs at 170 seat and 320 open.

95Firehawk0158

iTrader: (1)

Maybe off topic but how do you tell if you are getting valve float? Other than taking the springs off and testing them. Like what symptoms?

buffman

iTrader: (9)

the car feels like it just fell flat on it's face

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

A friend of mine has Firebird, and it trashed his engine. and to another friend with a older camaro, not Lt1

Plus I have read in Car craft of it happening to Frieburger a couple times, if I remember correctly.

Boodyrider

iTrader: (2)

Were those on hydraulic lifters set with correct preload, and if so which lifters? Comp had some really poor 875 (R) lifter out for a few batches, but I think they finally got that solved.

I could maybe see it with high spring pressures on a solid roller....

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

I know the LT1 bird was basically all stock, so it was stock cam and stock lifters. As for the others I have no idea, but they were the Crane RRs