In the process of building a 2002 LQ4 6.0L , 799 heads, stock cam and stock intake/exhaust. Car is a driver, no racing. Question is, has Chevy/GM upgraded the rocker arms to eliminate the needle bearing failures? Rocker arms I have are from a 2006 5.3 L. Just use them as is or do the trunion upgrade? If I need to do the upgrade, now is the time, before I install the engine.

 

Given the facts that: your cam is stock; and you have the later model rockers; I would not install the upgraded trunnions.

 

I really respect you and your opinions... Let that be known.

Here, I must digress however.

How many times have we seen puked needle bearings in a stock application?

OP, if you can "budget" 135 bucks, do the trunion upgrade and never worry about needle bearings spitting into your motor.

 

I agree. GM hasn't changed anything on the rockers. The LS3 applications still use LS1 rockers on the exhaust for example. And they still fail.

 

Thanks guys. I guess that since there have been no improvements to the rockers, the trunion upgrade is probably inexpensive insurance. Comp cams or BTR kits, any preference? No real difference in price. Kind of leaning towards this being the last of my attempts at modifications, plan is to just enjoy the car ( gas in the back, key in the front) and work with my son on his upgrades/mods. He has my old 1988 GTA and we are in the process of swapping in an LS1. That should be enough "fun" for me.

 

GM did make changes to OEM rockers in 2002 and again in 2006. From what the others are saying however, the problem still is not fixed. The only trunnion upgrade I have done used the Harland Sharps version but it is more expensive than with the Comp or BTR offerings. I will defer to others as to which of those is better.

 

Always spoken as a true gentleman. Appreciate the insight on the rocker changes. I wasn't aware at all.

 

Yes I absolutely think its a worth while upgrade. I currently have a set of 98 rockers on my car, when I pulled off my original 02 ones I didnt notice any difference but who knows.

I'm going to be doing mine soon and I think I'll be going with the HS kit. It is about 200 bucks instead of 130 but I like the fact the trunions are hollow for better oiling and they also offer a large retaining washer to keep the trunion still. In the comp kits I have done the trunion moves around 1/8" side to side. It probably doesnt matter but I just find the HS design more to my liking.

 

Anyone have a part number for the HS kit?

 

LS1CK is the do it yourself part number.
LS1CKI is the part number if you send your rockers to them and they install the kit.
I also want to say that speaking from personal experience that Harland Sharp stands behind their products. Their Lifetime Warranty actually means something.