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Upgrading Rockers

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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 04:16 AM
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Default Upgrading Rockers

I have been reading on a few forums about guys using 1.8 rockers on their LS4's. I thought since we have 243 heads that we already have ls6 yellow or blue beehive springs. Is it true that I would need to purchase LS6 springs and new pushrods for this upgrade. Just a little confusion I needed cleared up.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 12:30 PM
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Springs are a good idea, as it's hard to say which ones you have in the car now.

I bought a set of LS4 243 heads off a member here for my Camaro buildup. When I took it to the head shop to get worked, I expected to have to by springs, but I was surprised when they told me they already had "yellow" springs...Though mine were not painted at all!

So, without knowing, you should definitely budget for springs.

Pushrods are not a necessity, though. As long as they're still straight, the stock ones are fine.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 05:18 PM
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Thanks for the insight!!
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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So how much would the upgrade cost
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 10:07 PM
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Yellow springs can be had for around $60. Then whatever the cost is of the 1.85 rockers.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 10:26 PM
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Are these any good?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120674386799...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300657935359...84.m1423.l2649

or these actually say 1.85

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Comp-Cams-1-...d75d60&vxp=mtr
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 11:32 PM
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Wise man once said "You get what you pay for!"
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Old Jun 28, 2012 | 08:10 PM
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I've got Scorpion 1.8's with LS6 yellows. If I could do it again, I'd save that money and put it towards a cam swap.
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Old Jun 29, 2012 | 01:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ImpSS07
I've got Scorpion 1.8's with LS6 yellows. If I could do it again, I'd save that money and put it towards a cam swap.
I would love to do a cam swap but I am a bit hesitant about it since I'm still paying on it and trying to pick up a few mpg if possible. I work fulltime and college fulltime so I really can't afford any bumps in the road with my dd...on the other hand the el camino I'm about to purchase will be my go fast toy when I'm done with it.
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Old Jun 30, 2012 | 11:07 AM
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You won't pick up any MPG's with 1.8's. Maybe 1mpg but it really depends on your driving habits. Mine pretty much stayed the same when I did the headers and 1.8's and then I picked up 2mpg when I finally got it tuned.

Honestly I'd wouldn't worry about doing them. Don't think that you'll actually get the 15hp they claim. I'm only up 30hp over stock with headers, 1.8's, cutout, tune. Granted my tuner said that my converter was kinda sloppy so I'm probably losing some power there.
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Old Jun 30, 2012 | 04:20 PM
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Haven't popped the valve covers on mine yet. Curious if it has yellow springs or orange stripe or something entirely different.

When I did the first cam change in the GTO, LPE was selling orange stripe springs with the cam kit as they said they replaced the yellow LS6 springs. When I swapped to LS6 heads, those had the yellow springs and I went with them. Both springs ran fine with .570 lift but with a super soft lobe.

What have people seen from the LS4 cars?
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Old Jul 5, 2012 | 10:29 PM
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So, the 1.8, 1.7 or the 1.85s?
Get the "yellow" or the "orange stripe"?

I'm looking to upgrade also but need the DoD and don't want to get too crazy right yet.
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