Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Roller rockers and turbos

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-28-2007, 03:39 PM
  #1  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Karpellarpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Roller rockers and turbos

hey guys, can we discuss how the addition of roller rockers to a turbo setup effects things? It seems for the most part, roller rockers end up being so we can spin the motor harder ... but what about the quicker ramp rate due to the roller, the possible addition of false knock, and the added lift. The increase in hp due to roller rockers is documented for n/a setups, but what about boost setups? Should roller rockers be added purely for high rpm safety reasons, and let a cam take care of increasing the performance? how should a turbo cam be tweaked to take into account the addition of roller rockers? etc...
Old 09-28-2007, 06:07 PM
  #2  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
DeltaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

If you assume that you stay with the same ratio roller rockers as what you are replacing, then really the only gains are due to lowered friction to move them as opposed to a ball/stud rocker or a non-roller shaft mount.

Changing the ratio applies to all rockers, pretty much equally, except as noted above in friction.

The additional mechanical noise that could lead to false knock is a problem in any motor, knock sensor and/or knock sensor module not designed for roller rockers. But I don't hear too much about this problem unless it's with the addition of a solid roller cam and lifters.

Your turbo cam doesn't need tweaking if you add roller rockers of the same ratio. If you switch ratios, you need to ensure the springs and valvetrain can handle it, and perhaps check the valve-to-piston clearance.

Jim
Old 09-28-2007, 06:33 PM
  #3  
FormerVendor
 
qqwqeqwrqwqtq's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: WWW.SPEEDINC.COM
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Fwiw we always use stock rocker arms in our turbo builds. Even our shop car that makes 1140rwhp and turns to 7,800rpm.

Any time we've tried using an aftermarket roller rocker or shaft rocker a signifigant loss in rpm capability occured.
Old 09-28-2007, 10:16 PM
  #4  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
98turbls1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by INTMD8
Fwiw we always use stock rocker arms in our turbo builds. Even our shop car that makes 1140rwhp and turns to 7,800rpm.

Any time we've tried using an aftermarket roller rocker or shaft rocker a signifigant loss in rpm capability occured.
Have you tried this with both aftermarket rocker studed rollers and aftermarket shaft styles (Jesel, T&D)?? I would think that you would probably lose more with the regular style stud rockers (comp cams, scorpion) simply becuase the shaft style (stock or aftermarket) act as a girdle to tie them in together...
Old 09-28-2007, 11:17 PM
  #5  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (28)
 
BadgeZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

my setup is essentially a modest street car with only 5 psi of boost. Adding Comp cams pro magnums and their hardened pushrods made the motor rev quicker. In other words, I notice a significant different in how much easier the motor gains rpm. I don't go past 6K, so can't comment on how they affect high rpm.
Old 09-30-2007, 11:17 PM
  #6  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Karpellarpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

well, doesn't the size of the roller on the tip effect the rocker ratio. I read something about this the other day when reading about crane cam's quick lift roller rockers. They're still rated at a 1.7 ratio, but they apparently hold this ratio through the entire arc of the rocker whereas stock starts and ends at 1.54 ratio or something, and only peaks at 1.7. It would seem that getting the valve open quicker would be great for boost. Also, with less friction, why would the roller rocker reduce how hard you could spin the motor as mentioned above?
Old 10-01-2007, 01:12 AM
  #7  
Banned
iTrader: (7)
 
LSInnovations's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Comp pro magnums have caused valve float and annoying valve adjustment ...so i no longer use them in builds..

The only recommendation for most standard builds is YT ultra-light shaft non-adjustables...or stockers with the HS inner upgrade.
Old 10-01-2007, 06:23 PM
  #8  
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Karpellarpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

ok, and any documented gains using the yt's or the hs inner upgrade on boosted builds?
Old 10-01-2007, 07:52 PM
  #9  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (20)
 
ls1king000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: addison, IL
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

psj was using the YT rockers and he was having minute problems, went back to the stockers. problem solved
Old 10-01-2007, 10:28 PM
  #10  
Banned
iTrader: (7)
 
LSInnovations's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Was that the old school YT's or the new ultra-light shafts?? Ive seen no issues in dozens of new YT setups
Old 10-02-2007, 05:29 AM
  #11  
TECH Senior Member
 
2MuchRiceMakesMeSick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

well I was looking at the new style YT but i guess ill save my money
Old 10-02-2007, 07:13 AM
  #12  
Staging Lane
 
nesikachad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just bought a set of the Jesel Sportsman Series shaft mounts.

No adjustments in these. Just bolt and go. (provided PR length is correct) Anyone have any experience or heard anything about them?
Old 10-02-2007, 11:59 AM
  #13  
9 Second Club
 
stevieturbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 13,616
Received 178 Likes on 154 Posts

Default

I tried to bolt a set to my Edelbrock heads.....

If they are anything to go by, dont expect an easy job. Mine still arent on.

Whether this is due to my head/valve setup, or the fact they dont bolt straight on, I dont know.
And the valve covers will need some work to clear them too.
Old 10-02-2007, 12:56 PM
  #14  
Staging Lane
 
nesikachad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It does mention this in the instructions.

I bought taller valve covers and am hoping that since the heads are just worked over OEM LS1 heads, they'll drop in without requiring machine work. If they do, I'll just fixture to a mill and clearance myself.
Old 10-02-2007, 01:56 PM
  #15  
LS1Tech Co-Founder
iTrader: (34)
 
Pro Stock John's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 44,647
Received 1,089 Likes on 717 Posts

Default

I have seen Mike Brown post about using H/S non-adjustables, but I know a lot of fast turbo guys and if they are hydraulic they are typically running stock rockers.

I had Speed Inc. pull off a set of older YT's off my car, car was not rpm'ing and it seemed to be a valvetrain issue because the springs that were on the car at the time were set up at same spring pressure that most folks run and the springs were not old either.
Old 10-02-2007, 03:03 PM
  #16  
9 Second Club
 
stevieturbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 13,616
Received 178 Likes on 154 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by nesikachad
It does mention this in the instructions.

I bought taller valve covers and am hoping that since the heads are just worked over OEM LS1 heads, they'll drop in without requiring machine work. If they do, I'll just fixture to a mill and clearance myself.
For reference....

Bolting straight to the head....the rocker arms fouled my spring retainers. I think stock style tapered retainers would work fine though.
Mine are parallel dual springs, with a flat retainer.

Then after I clearanced the rockers ( no doubt a bad idea...but I was keen to fit these ), PR length would have ended up at 7.150" to give me 50thou preload.
Yes, these are unmilled heads, and OE deck on the block with GM MLS gaskets. With the current YT's Im on 7.325" PR's which is prob about 60-80thou preload.

So either the rocker platform on my heads is too low, the installed valve heights too long/high, my heads rocker setup is nothing like stock....or Im just very unlucky. Or maybe all of these.

Clearancing the valve covers was the easiest bit !!! At least I could easily see when that was done.

I dont believe the spring platform is wrong, because if I shim this up to the point where the rockers did clear the retainers, it looked like a pushrod would just pop out of the rocker at full lift.


Needless to say I f**king hate LSx valvetrain at the minute !!!!!
Old 10-02-2007, 03:50 PM
  #17  
Staging Lane
 
nesikachad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

You using YT or Jesel?

Man, cutting on the rocker arms must have been a tough call. I couldn't do it. I'd have to shim the rocker stands or something. Anything!

My plan is to mock it up, and then adjust either height or PR length.

My short block is all OEM. Heads are CNC ported LS1's from Lingenfelter. Bigger vavles and Comp 921 springs w/titanium retainers.

Good luck on your dilema.

When I get home here in 9 days the fun starts. I'll have a long *** build thread with lots of pictures.

Thanks.
Old 10-03-2007, 01:05 AM
  #18  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
67Firebird455's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Visalia, California
Posts: 2,525
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Only reason I'm putting harland sharps on my 408... Don't want the possibility of needle bearings in the pan. Just for peace of mind I guess...
Old 10-03-2007, 12:33 PM
  #19  
9 Second Club
 
stevieturbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 13,616
Received 178 Likes on 154 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by nesikachad
You using YT or Jesel?

Man, cutting on the rocker arms must have been a tough call. I couldn't do it. I'd have to shim the rocker stands or something. Anything!

My plan is to mock it up, and then adjust either height or PR length.

My short block is all OEM. Heads are CNC ported LS1's from Lingenfelter. Bigger vavles and Comp 921 springs w/titanium retainers.

Good luck on your dilema.

When I get home here in 9 days the fun starts. I'll have a long *** build thread with lots of pictures.

Thanks.
Using YT's, but wanted to use these Jesels I bought months ago.

Its a shaft mount setup. If this was shimmed up, as I said, I would be certain a pushrod would pop put of the rocker when the engine is running.
You can only go so far with the installed height of the rockers before getting into trouble. So that was not an option.
Old 10-04-2007, 01:30 AM
  #20  
rjw
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
rjw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tinker till it blows, then back it off a notch, maybe!!
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo
Using YT's, but wanted to use these Jesels I bought months ago.

Its a shaft mount setup. If this was shimmed up, as I said, I would be certain a pushrod would pop put of the rocker when the engine is running.
You can only go so far with the installed height of the rockers before getting into trouble. So that was not an option.
Sounds like something is not right with those heads, especially with the other problems that you've been having.

Just a thought......


Quick Reply: Roller rockers and turbos



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:27 AM.