can i get opinions on rocker arms
02-03-2012, 01:04 PM
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can i get opinions on rocker arms Im planning on replacing mine with some 1.6s, but on the other hand I dont know anything about these. Im kind of a newbie. So any suggestions on brands, or installation process or anything else that my ls1tech friends know that I dont.
02-03-2012, 01:41 PM
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Mileage and valvetrain condition play a huge part in the roller rocker debate. If you do a search on here or on the net in general the concensis seems to be stay away from the cheapy proform and ebay rockers. Failure with these seem to be high. Causing other major issues of injested metal into the motor.
Next will come the opinion of self aligning vs guideplates, new pushrods vs old new valve springs vs old.
I would say what is your budget. How many miles on the motor and what RPM will you be turning. If it's a fairly fresh motor stock valve springs and pushrods will be good as long as .100 longer rods are not required. I've used self aligning and non with little trouble and when adjusting them make sure there not bottoming out or binding under the lift of the cam. stock LT1 springs can handle right at the lift you will produce with 1.6 and stock cam. which is .490.
If your motor has 180k blowing oil I'd change lifters, pushrods, get a good set of crane rockers and swap out to better valve springs and run a compression check to see if its time for new rings.. Comp Cams makes a good set of springs. Ethier beehive or factory diameter. Good luck.
Next will come the opinion of self aligning vs guideplates, new pushrods vs old new valve springs vs old.
I would say what is your budget. How many miles on the motor and what RPM will you be turning. If it's a fairly fresh motor stock valve springs and pushrods will be good as long as .100 longer rods are not required. I've used self aligning and non with little trouble and when adjusting them make sure there not bottoming out or binding under the lift of the cam. stock LT1 springs can handle right at the lift you will produce with 1.6 and stock cam. which is .490.
If your motor has 180k blowing oil I'd change lifters, pushrods, get a good set of crane rockers and swap out to better valve springs and run a compression check to see if its time for new rings.. Comp Cams makes a good set of springs. Ethier beehive or factory diameter. Good luck.
02-03-2012, 05:40 PM
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Ok the engine has 144xxx miles. So far i havent been losing any oil. About 2 months ago i had to replace the head gasket and now the rockers are making a little bit of noise again so i figured lets get a little more out of taking the valve cover off. Anything else yall need to know about motor?
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02-04-2012, 05:17 PM
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A good set of rockers like crane, Harland sharp or comp cams can be had for 350.00. Comp valve springs for under 2 bills. That'll leave you enough cash for a new opti when it craps out. LOL
02-04-2012, 05:54 PM
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Just replaced opti 2 weeks ago. LOL!
But i did budget out alex springs for $100 chromoly trickflow push rods for $150 and some valve cover gaskets $43.99 bought some crane rockers from someone on here for under $200
But i did budget out alex springs for $100 chromoly trickflow push rods for $150 and some valve cover gaskets $43.99 bought some crane rockers from someone on here for under $200
02-04-2012, 07:43 PM
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Tell me about it, my heap had 49,000 miles on it when I got it. since then I've driven it 6,000 miles. I did the PCM4less tune which was the best money I've spent. Followed by CAI, 1.6 rockers, Muffler delete, new plugs, wires MSD coil, new opti, 2800 stall, B&M shift kit, Adjustable nitrous wet kit, 160 therm and finally a new cam, lifters, timing chain and pushrods. Now a reflash from PCM4less. Two weeks ago the ICM crapped out and left me sitting on the side of the road. I was about ready to smash the **** out of it with a sledgehammer. Now it seems to be running good so thats a plus but I'm sure something else will go wrong.
02-04-2012, 09:19 PM
#14
Now it seems to be running good so thats a plus but I'm sure something else will go wrong.
Your also going to need a install tool. I ended up buying "Tims LT1 valve spring tool" I think. I had never done valve springs befor, they are fun. A little tricky getting the rear springs to line up so the locks fall in over the valve stem. But its not to bad, I did most of mine in like 2 hours, and then the rear ones took probably an hour due to lack of space, lack of light, lack of being able to tell where the valve stem is and being worn out from the other 14 lol. You also need to put a socket on top of them and give them about 5 good hits with a hammer to make sure the locks will seperate from the spring. otherwise youll compressed them and the valve will go down with them, then you get to do it all over again.
I run comp cam ultra pro mag 1.6 self aligning rockers, Patriot gold 8401 springs, chromemoly trick flow pushrods and ls7 lifters. My only complaint is the ls7 lifters, they are noisey and they dont seem to flow alot of oil. My cam is high lift and everything has been strong enough to last. I just wish i did better lifters for some peice of mind insurence.
