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Lowdown on roller rockers

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Old Aug 1, 2020 | 07:31 PM
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Default Lowdown on roller rockers

I'm going to be shopping for some roller rockers soon and figured I'd ask you guys what's good and what to stay away from. Ls2 with Mamo 223 heads. Cam to be determined. Thanks for any insight.
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Old Aug 1, 2020 | 09:25 PM
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Well I'm not looking for eBay cheap but definitely not going to drop $1200-1300 on Jesel stuff either. I'm planning on a honest 450hp to the tires simple LS2 nothing crazy.
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Old Aug 1, 2020 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by showdog75
Well I'm not looking for eBay cheap but definitely not going to drop $1200-1300 on Jesel stuff either. I'm planning on a honest 450hp to the tires simple LS2 nothing crazy.
Stock rockers will be fine for your application.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 12:03 AM
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Stock rockers are good to around .550" or so, as-is.

The same rockers with a bronze bushing kit, are good to something a little over .600" lift. Very far past that, some degree of actual "attention" must be paid.

I guess it ultimately depends on what "TBD" cam you pick.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 01:38 AM
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Go Yella Terra.
Speak to mamo about it seeing as though you have his heads.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 06:11 AM
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Jesel Sportsman aluminum shaft mount rockers here...buy once cry once!
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 08:39 AM
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I like my Comp Ultra Pro Mags. They're steel, so a little heavy, but they won’t fatigue like aluminum will.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bortous
Go Yella Terra.
Speak to mamo about it seeing as though you have his heads.
That will definitely discussed in our next conversation just thought I'd get the group opinions in the meantime.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 07:21 PM
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Crower gets my vote would have went t&d but they didn't have a setup for my head.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 08:05 PM
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I've been running the TSP roller rockers on my drag truck. Strong but light over the valve.
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Old Aug 2, 2020 | 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by showdog75
That will definitely discussed in our next conversation just thought I'd get the group opinions in the meantime.
LOL. But Tony is so persuasive. It doesn't matter what you decide here, he'll talk you into YT. Ask me how I know. :-)
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 01:19 AM
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For what you are trying to do.... you are throwing away money by not running stock rockers with a trunion kit. Unless you have a max effort setup.... you don't need aftermarket.
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by gnx7
For what you are trying to do.... you are throwing away money by not running stock rockers with a trunion kit. Unless you have a max effort setup.... you don't need aftermarket.
^^^^^^^This. Plus see posts #4 and #5
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 10:47 AM
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I agree that rollers are not "needed" ... unless the lift gets above .600" ... then they might be a good idea. So it really depends on cam selection.

It's a slippery slope. The motor I'm building wound up probably 3x (5x ??? 8x ???) more expensive than really "needed", because one "improvement" led to or forced another. Because I went with cathedral heads on my LS3, I needed a FAST intake (~$1000 and injectors ~$400) ... and may still need to spend money on a fuel rail to fit it under the hood of the Miata. I may need to mod the hood for clearance, which will be expensive to have done well and not hacked.

All I really "needed" was a milder cam and having the stock LS3 heads decked for more compression. So keep your budget in mind when you pick the cam. You will save money if you keep the lift low enough that you don't get forced into buying roller rockers.

Last edited by grubinski; Aug 3, 2020 at 11:07 AM.
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 10:50 AM
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I have 3 recommendations

Stock

Texas Speed Steel Roller Rockers

Ws6store Max Effort Rockers
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 01:22 PM
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The supposed issue is with the bronze guides in the aftermarket heads.
Stock rockers do scrub more, which could wear the bronze guides faster.

I’ve had YT rockers on my AFRs for years. But this time around with my new 6.2, I did measure for PR length with stock rockers.
The YT’s went back on because I have them. A guy gets tired of spending money. But down the road I’ll update a set of stock rockers and try them out.
Roller rockers do make more noise.
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Old Aug 7, 2020 | 07:21 AM
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These hit the market maybe 2 years ago, has anyone used them or any thoughts on them? https://www.lsxceleration.com/comp-c...r-kit-1981-16/
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Old Aug 7, 2020 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by biketopia
These hit the market maybe 2 years ago, has anyone used them or any thoughts on them? https://www.lsxceleration.com/comp-c...r-kit-1981-16/
I would call and ask them for weight over the nose and report back.
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Old Aug 7, 2020 | 10:15 AM
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Texas Speed roller tip if you have to have roller rockers, only a little heavier than stock.
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Old Aug 7, 2020 | 10:17 AM
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As mentioned, OP, you probably could get by easily with stock rocker and a trunion bushing upgrade.
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