Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

OEM rocker arms- which ones?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 25, 2022 | 02:01 PM
  #1  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default OEM rocker arms- which ones?

Hello I am putting together an LS1 (cammed .614/.595) with PRC heads I bought from a builder that did not finish it. I am sticking with stock rockers and deciding which ones I should buy. I have read that the stock LS1 rockers run out of contact patch over .550 lift, and the LS7 rocker arm has a much better contact pattern at higher lift. What I dont know- is the LS7 rocker arm a direct swap in LS1 heads?
Also Rockys offers a GM genuine and also a Melling rocker arm that has snap rings holding it together. Which one is better?
And theres a box of rockers of unknown history that came with it, when bolted down solid with no pushrod they have slight up and down movement, so I am trashing those.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2022 | 02:20 PM
  #2  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

OK discovered LS7 wont work- still digging
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2022 | 02:39 PM
  #3  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Default

You have a Gen III engine with cathedral port heads.
Only one kind of rocker arm ever came on any Gen III or IV cathedral port head, and that is the type you must use, unless you go aftermarket.
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2022 | 04:32 PM
  #4  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Yes I got that, still wondering about the Melling MR 1341 OEM rocker arms, anyone have experience with them?
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2022 | 09:41 AM
  #5  
TurboBuick6's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 708
Likes: 125
Default

Originally Posted by RJ Squirrel
Hello I am putting together an LS1 (cammed .614/.595) with PRC heads I bought from a builder that did not finish it. I am sticking with stock rockers and deciding which ones I should buy. I have read that the stock LS1 rockers run out of contact patch over .550 lift, and the LS7 rocker arm has a much better contact pattern at higher lift. What I dont know- is the LS7 rocker arm a direct swap in LS1 heads?
Also Rockys offers a GM genuine and also a Melling rocker arm that has snap rings holding it together. Which one is better?
And theres a box of rockers of unknown history that came with it, when bolted down solid with no pushrod they have slight up and down movement, so I am trashing those.
.650" lift here on stock rockers around 40K miles, no issues. I must say, my pedestals have been milled to get geometry correct.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2022 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
SAPPER's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
Default

Stock rockers with a CHE or Smith Bros bushing kit. Skimp on that minor detail and you'll pay for it later...at about 6800rpm!!!
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2022 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
99 Black Bird T/A's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,638
Likes: 1,501
Default

Ran a 224/224 .581/.581 lift XER cam with stock rockers for 132,000+ miles & 15 years on my old heads & cam set up, no issues. Rev limiter set at 6,800 rpm, normally shifting ~6,400 rpm, hit the limiter several times etc.

I like the OEM spec rockers w/snap rings to retain the needle bearings that WS6 Store sells and used those on my 416. Under ~ .630 lift am OK with a stock tip rocker on the 416.

Have seen a couple of buggered up trunnion installed upgraded stock rockers. They weren't smooth and could feel play. They had Comp's trunnion kit. I would avoid Comp's kit.

Get the CHE kit if doing the trunnion upgrade to stock rocker in my opinion.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 02:38 PM
  #8  
01CamaroSSTx's Avatar
11 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 2,294
From: Conroe, Texas
Default

If you're having to buy rocker arms anyway why not just purchase a set of roller tipped rocker arms from Texas Speed?

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-7364-t...QaAkB6EALw_wcB
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 6, 2022 | 10:10 PM
  #9  
RJ Squirrel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Default

Thanks for all the replies, I wound up rebuilding mine with the BTR trunnion kit that is not supposed to come apart.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 08:00 AM
  #10  
gagliano7's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
Default

Originally Posted by 01CamaroSSTx
If you're having to buy rocker arms anyway why not just purchase a set of roller tipped rocker arms from Texas Speed?

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-7364-t...QaAkB6EALw_wcB
Boy those are pricey!!
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 08:09 AM
  #11  
MuhThugga's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 333
From: Wilmington, De
Default

Brian Tooley advertises rocker arms that are supposed to allow for higher lifts. I have no experience with them. Just throwing another option out there.


Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 09:55 AM
  #12  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Default

Originally Posted by gagliano7
Boy those are pricey!!
10-4 to that!
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 02:42 PM
  #13  
99 Black Bird T/A's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,638
Likes: 1,501
Default


The BTR version definitely looks sturdy.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:16 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE