Has anyone out there had any experience with high performance rocker arms where they emulate the extra lift on a higher performance camshaft? I'm not really wanting to open up my engine to install a cam but if I can get similiar results using different rocker arms I would be open to that. If someone has used them would you tell me what brand you used, what they cost, and where you got them. I have a 92 LT1 Base model. Thanks!
If you go with
1.6 Rocker Arms .030 more lift 3 or 4 H/P.
1.65 Rocker Arms .045 more lift 4 to 5 H/P.
1.7 Rocker Arms .060 more lift 6 to 7 H/P.
Putting higher lift arm on the motor just gives you more lift the duration of the cam stays the same.
All you be doing increasing the lift you most likely will have to use a higher rate vavle spring do to the larger lift stock heads are not set up to much more lift than stock with out doing some mods to them.
Next you will have to grind off the oil dripper tabs inside the stock valve cover to get them to fit.
What I have gathered if you just put 1.6, 1.65 or 1.7 on the Intake side ONLY you willn't lose low end but you get some more up on top.
Ok if you put higher rate valve springs they also can make your valve train wear faster due to the higher spring pressure it harder on the valves it self slamming harder in to the vavle seat also harder on the vavle seat puts more load on the liffters that puts more load on the cam lobes.
I not saying it will make the motor die but it harder on it.
I can't tell you how much more lift you stock motor can take before the piston hit the valves my motor not all stock when I put my heads on my new motor I clayed the valve to piston so if I every wanted to go with a larger lift cam I know what I can get a way with.
Cost set of TRUE Roller rocker arm $200.00+, some need to change Push rods Cheeper Comp Cams ones $40.00 set of 16 valve springs $100.00 valve cover gaskets $40.00 total Cost $380.00 is this worth such little power gain.
I also have read that some stock and aftermarket heads have to be open up where the push rods run though due to the diffrent ratio rocker arms.
I have a '92 LT1 as well, and a few years ago I put a set of Summit brand aluminum 1.6 roller rockers on the 'ole girl. I believe these are the ones, Summit Racing SUM-G6936-16 - Summit Racing® Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms - Overview - SummitRacing.com
but can't find my receipt when I ordered them. Quality seems to be ok for the money, no issues yet. Probably have 15k on them. I was able to reuse the factory magnesium valve covers, but did have to remove the oil drip tabs from inside the valve cover with my Dremel tool. It is a tight fit, but the OE valve covers will fit over these particular rocker arms.
By increasing valve lift via higher ratio rocker arms, you also increase duration slightly. To get maximum benefit from the 1.6 rockers, a tune would be needed since the '92 LT1 is speed density (MAP based). You can get by without the tune, but you'll be running a little lean at WOT, but the computer will compensate somewhat. For the price of a tune, I do not know if it would be worth it for just a roller rocker upgrade.
Thanks guys. From what you are telling me I would be getting a small gain that wouldn't be cost worthy. I was hoping that this would be a more beneficial effort than what it is sounding like. Well, at least now I know what your experience/results have been and I appreciate your sharing it with me. If I want a little more hp I should probably focus on maybe some exhaust headers. I have added a K&N air filter and opened up the flow to the engine and around Christmas I will be putting on a new set of axle back exhaust from Magnaflow. Any suggestions or is there anyone else who would like to share their experience with the rocker arms? Thanks guys!
I also have shorty headers, removed the center resonator and have h-pipe section installed, with OE mufflers and modified OE air filter box (similar to K&N). In addition, I have the G92 option, which is the 3.07 gear instead of the 2.59, which you may have.
With my A4, the 3.07 gear is nice. I bought the hardware (Autoprom) to tune my LT1 and it runs pretty good considering the basic things that have been done to it. Not quite like the LS1 in my '99, but definitely fun.
Exhaust will help, but if I had the base model with 2.59 gear, I would probably save a few extra dollars and swap that gear out first.
When I had my 94 I located a set of Crane Gold 1.6 Roller Rockers used (they had about 5000 miles on them) for $100. I also found a set of LT4 valve springs and push rods (again with very few miles on the) for $20. With the new valve stem seals, the tool to replace them, and the valve cover gaskets, I think I had about $200 total in the job.
I believe that a tune would have optimized the mods. I also had a K&N filter with open lid and a Corsa exhaust. My SOTP (seat of the pants) dyno said there was a small increase.
1.6 rockers on a stock LT1 cam are only going to get you .480 lift;not what most would consider a perf cam
Even the most popular LT1 cam , the GMPP Hot cam has .525 lift ( w/ 1.6's ) and that is considered a entry level cam for a LT1
I was wondering what effect the higher lift rockers would have on the cam and other parts involved in the valve train and I don't think that I want to put the extra pressure on the engine for that type of gain. I remember years ago one of my cars had the cam lobes nearly worn off to where the car would barely run. I don't think I want to take that chance with an engine this old. It runs good and I will look into the gear swap which would give it some extra snap. Hopefully others will be able to make a more educated decision about this type of modification from the information shared here. Thanks guys!
I was wondering what effect the higher lift rockers would have on the cam and other parts involved in the valve train and I don't think that I want to put the extra pressure on the engine for that type of gain. I remember years ago one of my cars had the cam lobes nearly worn off to where the car would barely run. I don't think I want to take that chance with an engine this old. It runs good and I will look into the gear swap which would give it some extra snap. Hopefully others will be able to make a more educated decision about this type of modification from the information shared here. Thanks guys!
With the LT1s rollerized valve train, you likely won't have as significant issues with cam wear like you experienced before.
If you purchase roller tip rockers, I don't think you'll need to remove the drippers. The roller tips are very close in size to stock. You may even pick up some more consistency in terms of the actual ratio. I've heard horror stories over the years about OEM rockers not even being 1.5 ratios. Apparently, the older rockers were not monitored as close in terms of quality.
FWIW- I was able to fit 1.6 full roller rockers under LT1 valve covers 16 years ago... and yes... the drippers needed to be removed. I've also run roller tip only 1.6 rockers on an L82 cam in my TPI swapped '80 Vette. The '80 had the OEM valve covers.
I do think you'll pick up some increase in power. Just remember- it is a poor man's cam swap and delivers only a slight increase. Have realistic expectations & you'll be fine.
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