LS Rocker Arm Bearing/Trunion Comparison
04-30-2013, 06:49 PM
#1
LS Rocker Arm Bearing/Trunion Comparison I know most experienced people here have read and seen or experienced this subject before but in case some newbies are wondering or maybe someone looking at a rocker arm upgrade for the first time, here you go...
In case anyone is wondering why to upgrade their rocker arms bearings and trunions or just wondering what they look like, here a quick video I took last night. This is an LS3 stock rocker bearing compared to a Comp Cams upgrade kit. Next I'll take a video on how to use Summit Racing's rocker arm tool which I believe is the best tool to do this job with. A mechanically inclined person can do all 16 rockers in an hour with this tool. Hope this helps. -Nate
In case anyone is wondering why to upgrade their rocker arms bearings and trunions or just wondering what they look like, here a quick video I took last night. This is an LS3 stock rocker bearing compared to a Comp Cams upgrade kit. Next I'll take a video on how to use Summit Racing's rocker arm tool which I believe is the best tool to do this job with. A mechanically inclined person can do all 16 rockers in an hour with this tool. Hope this helps. -Nate
04-30-2013, 07:03 PM
#5
before putting them back together I cleaned the rocker body with some purple power.
Last edited by 03Sssnake; 04-30-2013 at 07:08 PM.
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04-30-2013, 08:32 PM
#8
04-30-2013, 10:11 PM
#10
The comp kit only has the washers. The summit is a complete kit with a knockout tool to remove the trunion and an alignment install tool to install everything. All you need is a bench vise and snap ring pliers to do all the rockers.
05-01-2013, 01:18 AM
#11
You can do it with a 6" c clamp, it's better than a vise or press since you can feel it go in straight and not crooked..
With a press or bench vise it can go on slightly **** eyed and before you know it, you've misaligned the needle bearings and they are slanted barely and will cause premature failure
Since your using a machine you lose the feeling in your hands and I think it' needs to be a delicate press in, not forced in fast.. My 2 cents
With a press or bench vise it can go on slightly **** eyed and before you know it, you've misaligned the needle bearings and they are slanted barely and will cause premature failure
Since your using a machine you lose the feeling in your hands and I think it' needs to be a delicate press in, not forced in fast.. My 2 cents
05-01-2013, 02:02 AM
#12
The aligment tool in the kit makes it hard to go in crooked. I had no issues with the vice. You know the bearing is in because the tool has a stop that makes it so the bearing is in all the way and you can't go any further. It was designed very well.
05-01-2013, 09:05 AM
#15
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Did this upgrade on my 02 Z06 and its a great mod to keep those rockers working correctly and not spit out any pieces into the head.
05-01-2013, 11:06 AM
#16
I recall a thread where someone broke a piece off a snap ring. They found it on the magnetic oil pan plug. Thing is the snap rings dont and shouldnt contact the rocker body if the trunion and bearing are installed properly. Also the snap ring shouldnt be under any real stress once its in its groove. Thats the thing about forums tho, how can you tell it wasnt install error, assembly error, existing valvetrain issue or indeed a meterial strength issue? You really dont see these fail so I feel safe with them.
05-01-2013, 11:12 AM
#17
I recall a thread where someone broke a piece off a snap ring. They found it on the magnetic oil pan plug. Thing is the snap rings dont and shouldnt contact the rocker body if the trunion and bearing are installed properly. Also the snap ring shouldnt be under any real stress once its in its groove. Thats the thing about forums tho, how can you tell it wasnt install error, assembly error, existing valvetrain issue or indeed a meterial strength issue? You really dont see these fail so I feel safe with them.
05-01-2013, 12:19 PM
#18
I was torn between this and the CHE rocker. I think this is what I'm going to do. If it fails, then I'll just go get CHE and be out 130. If it doesn't I save damn near $300.
Corvette guys have seen issues more with the offset type LS7 and LS3 rockers over the years. Especally the LS7 with it's 1.8:1 ratio. Guys run LSK lobes with .700" lift with stock rockers and almost everything that can fail will fail with those types of aggressive lobes, lift, and stock rockers. So, I can see why the CHE upgrade is a huge improvement there - the stock rocker is so far out of spec, that it needs a huge bushing to distribute the load.
Corvette guys have seen issues more with the offset type LS7 and LS3 rockers over the years. Especally the LS7 with it's 1.8:1 ratio. Guys run LSK lobes with .700" lift with stock rockers and almost everything that can fail will fail with those types of aggressive lobes, lift, and stock rockers. So, I can see why the CHE upgrade is a huge improvement there - the stock rocker is so far out of spec, that it needs a huge bushing to distribute the load.
05-01-2013, 12:22 PM
#19
The comp trunion upgrade is awesome. The failures you were reading about were due to install error (i.e. bearing being pressed in crooked and or another install error). Just wanted to clarify that it was INSTALL ERROR/ OPERATOR ERROR that caused the failures. Just make sure that you install the bearings square/true and that it rotates around the trunion smooth as silk and your good to go.
Last edited by 3rdCoastPowerSports; 05-01-2013 at 12:28 PM. Reason: wording
05-01-2013, 01:09 PM
#20
I was torn between this and the CHE rocker. I think this is what I'm going to do. If it fails, then I'll just go get CHE and be out 130. If it doesn't I save damn near $300.
Corvette guys have seen issues more with the offset type LS7 and LS3 rockers over the years. Especally the LS7 with it's 1.8:1 ratio. Guys run LSK lobes with .700" lift with stock rockers and almost everything that can fail will fail with those types of aggressive lobes, lift, and stock rockers. So, I can see why the CHE upgrade is a huge improvement there - the stock rocker is so far out of spec, that it needs a huge bushing to distribute the load.
Corvette guys have seen issues more with the offset type LS7 and LS3 rockers over the years. Especally the LS7 with it's 1.8:1 ratio. Guys run LSK lobes with .700" lift with stock rockers and almost everything that can fail will fail with those types of aggressive lobes, lift, and stock rockers. So, I can see why the CHE upgrade is a huge improvement there - the stock rocker is so far out of spec, that it needs a huge bushing to distribute the load.