WOW! Big performance gain!!!

[Zektor]

Hi Guys,
This weekend, I got round to fitting my new Competition Cams Roller Rockers and brand new pushrods to my 1982 Corvette. And what a difference, the car feels like it's got 20 maybe 30 BHP more than when I started!!!! No joke!!!!

This is the single, best improvement I have done to the car since I've owned it. I've done various performance improvements to the car, like headers, de-catted, true dual exhaust, hi-flow air filters in a modified airbox (open air), davis unified ignition, No EGR, No AIR etc + a few other mods. All of these mods made a noticeable difference to the car that made it feel a bit quicker etc.

But, fitting these Roller Rockers made a difference like night & day. A big jump in power can be felt. I reckon it could be over a second quicker to sixty MPH since installing these Rockers. I am mega chuffed with these Rockers... it's the best £175 I've spent on the car.

When I came to fit them, which in the end took me around 7 - 8 hours in the end. I noticed that the original stamped steel rockers were in various degree's of adjustment. Some appeared to be bang on, but some were really loose with big lash in them!!!
My car has a fully rebuilt motor, and when the builder was setting up the original rockers he obviously did not take to much care over the adjustment of the rockers themselves. Resulting in a lot of them being a little loose to a lot loose!!!

I reckon, even if I never put the Roller Rockers in... but just adjusted the original rockers back to zero lash I would of gained 5 BHP!!!

But now, the new pushrods, new Roller Rockers... all adjusted with zero lash has really let this car breathe... it's like a whole new engine... and the engine valve train is SO much quieter!!!!

If anyone has a 350 SB, do this mod, you will not regret it... take your time to get them all adjusted for zero lash and all set up the same and the performance gains are massive.

It's the best thing I've fitted so far... DO IT!!!!

Cheers
Dazza

 

[rgtrough]

roller rockers

Hey Zektor, I have acquired a set of crane roller rockers that have a 1.6 lift. Have not installed them yet. Did you change to a roller cam? How about the lifters? Right now I am running a com cam model 270h with plans to go to 286 or 292 when I change the heads and manifold. Congrats on your mods. peace :cool
Bud

 

[Zektor]

Rgtrough,
The engine internals were completely stock before I installed these Roller Rockers. The new pushrods I installed were stock, unhardened material.

Being that my car is an '82 and a cross-fire injection model. Cams for this engine are pretty rare, I guess not many people mess to much with Cams etc because the ECU might not like it. I'm basically trying to get the stock engine to breathe better and create power that way.

Cheers
Dazza

ps. Good Luck with your install!!!

 

[mmvette80]

Zecktor
Are guide plates needed with the roller rockers you installed?

 

[Zektor]

mmvette80,
With the Comp Cams Roller Rockers (Part #1412-16) you have to use guide plates. If your engine does not have guide plates as standard, you may need machine work (costly!) done to the heads to accomodate guide plates.

But, if you buy Comp Cams Roller Rockers (Part #1417-16) you do not have to install guide plates, the roller tips have small washers either side that stop the roller from "walking" off the top of the valve stem. They are exactly the same as part #1412-16 only they bolt straight in with no big engine work required. All that Comp Cams recommend is that you purchase a new stock set of pushrods so the parts can bed together properly. Using these roller rockers is the easiest option of all. It only took me 7 - 8 hours to do because...

1. I wanted to do it properly.
2. Most of the time is taken up moving bits out of the way to get to them.
3. It was damn cold!!!

Basically, if you can get your rocker covers off easily, then there is no reason why you cannot replace the stamped rockers with roller rockers!!!

Do it! It's easy, and it's well worth the time and money!

Cheers
Dazza

 

[mmvette80]

Sounds good. $175. Spring time. Its to friggin cold now.

 

[cruzer99]

That is realy good info Zektor, thanks I might give it a go as you might say. Sounds like a no-brainer decision if it is that easy.

 

[8T8T2]

Zektor,
Sounds like a good up-grade. Congrats.. Did you have to replace your valve covers to accommodate the new roller rockers?

 

[Zektor]

8T8T2,
The valve covers do not have to be replaced at all, the #1417-16's fit perfectly!!!

I've had the car out for a bit of fun twice now since the install. Everybody knows how the '82 has a megaload of torque low down in the rev range, but is not so good up the top end... right?

Not anymore, my '82 pulls like a freight train since putting these babies in!!! In 3rd it really flies towards to top of the rev range... coupled with the fact that I have advanced the ignition to 8 degree's means that more power is being developed higher up than the stock car. The car is a LOT quicker since this install.

I've got a G-TECH device. I will test it out soon and let you know what sort of performance figures I am getting.

Also, this job IS a no-brainer, it's so damn easy your Grandma could do it. Like I said, if you can get the rocker covers off... there is no reason why you cannot change to Roller Rockers. For anyone that has an '82... just order set #1417-16 and a new set of stock unhardened pushrods... and that's it!!!

Everything else you need comes with the Roller Rockers, nut's and rocker balls, cam lube is all in the box.

Like I said... DO IT!!!!

Cheers
Dazza

 

[Blue82]

I have them on my car as well and they really reduce the valve train noise. Keep in mind that these are roller tip rockers and not full rollers so they will fit under the stock valve covers and they are not as expensive.

 

[Zektor]

Blue82,
I agree with the valve train noise... or lack of it!!!

It sounds so sweet now! Before it was a bit "clickety-clackety", but now it sounds awesomely quiet (apart from the noise from the induction and the 10 gun salute from the exhaust!!!)

Blue82, Did you notice any big gains when you fitted these roller rockers to your car? I'm just wondering whether I saw big gains in power because they complimented all the other mods I have done or will any completely stock '82 make more power with this mod.

With my car... there is virtually no restriction with air coming into the engine and my straight through headers/exhaust system lets everything out with no restriction too!

As far as I am concerned, the roller rockers have allowed the air/gases to get in and out of the engine faster and in more volume.

What's your thoughts?

Cheers
Dazza

 

[8T8T2]

Zektor,
You might think about cleaning up your intake. Since your not using the EGR you can cut away the big drop channel inside the intake. Cut back the runners a tad and clean up the casting imperfections along with port matching. Should help the breathing even more.
Do you have clearance with you push rods and heads. I've heard of some problems with 1.6's push rods were rubbing on the inside of the head.

 

[Blue82]

Dazza, I really can't say that I was aware of an increase in HP. I am sure it did because of the reduction in friction, but I installed mine during an engine rebuild and upgrade.

These are the upgrades:
350 bored .030 over, Vortec heads, lightweight pistons, ARP rod bolts, Compcams XE262 cam w/springs and roller tip rockers, Performer RPM intake, 454 TBI

My other mods are:
Flowmaster exhaust, gutted cat., headers, heated O2 Sensor, 3.73 Dana rearend

The car runs like a scalded dog even though I haven't added the 7747 ECM yet. I am still running off the 82 ECM.

 

[Zektor]

G-TECH Time...

Well Guys, I finally got round to testing the car since adding the Roller Rockers and K&N Filters... I must admit, the conditions were not ideal. There's a lot of ice on the roads at the moment in the UK. I could not get a decent launch... I was getting a lot of wheelspin getting off the line, with the car tracking slightly to the right. This was losing me a lot of time and forward energy.

BUT! , despite all this, I managed to TROUNCE my previous time with the same G-TECH device!!!

Firstly, the old time...

I did this run on a fresh summers morning. The road conditions were ideal, perfectly dry. The rubber was warm on the car as well. On this occasion I did not "power launch" the car by holding the car on the brake and winding up the revs. I merely, stepped of the gas and nailed the throttle. My 0-60 time came up in 7.61 seconds. Better than stock but I still reckon I could of got it quicker... maybe as low as 7.2 seconds if I launched properly. Oh yes, this particular run was done with a completely full tank of gas.

This morning...

On this run, the only changes since the last run in the summer are this... Stock paper filters have been replaced with K&N direct replacement filters. My airbox has been modified to "open air" for sometime so only the filters themselves were a factor in this. Also, the stock rockers were removed and #1417-16 Competition Cams Roller Rockers were installed with new pushrods (as per the above thread). Lastly, the only other change from the old run is that I advanced the timing by 2 degrees to 8 degrees

How did I do then... damn good considering the conditions!!! I did 2 runs, but there was no point doing a "power launch" (this will come when the roads are drier!!!). I did the first run, again just let of the brake and nailed the throttle... the car lost a lot of time in wheelspin but once it got going it managed to hit 0-60 in 7.16 seconds. I was pleased... because despite all the wheelspin it still managed to shave 0.45 of a second off my old time.

So, I gave it another go... same thing, lots of wheelspin... but this time it managed to just break into the sixes... 6.99 seconds to 60 mph was the result. So now I am double chuffed!!! The car WILL go quicker... and this was despite the power being wasted with all the wheelspin.

The thing is, I know it will go quicker than this, because in the past I used to concentrate on the 1/4 mile times, and the car was ALWAYS quicker when I did a "power launch". Plus, I don't know how other people feel about their 1982's... but in previous tests my car is ALWAYS quicker after I have taken her for a long burn up the motorway (UK's name for a freeway!). After a long hard haul the car is much more responsive and much quicker.

When I did the run this morning, it was cold, damp and slippery, the car had only been running for 20 mins... despite all this, she pulls 6.99 seconds!!!!

I think, in ideal conditions (waiting for Spring!) on a dry fresh morning with a decent power launch after the car has been taken for a good long run... I think 6.5 seconds is entirely achievable. I cant' wait to find out! I'm convinced it can do it!

See, even a 21 year old 1982 model can reel in a respectable time with only fairly mild mods!!!

And, I still maintain that the Roller Rockers were the one item that made the most difference to my cars performance. BUT, I do also believe that the rest of the performance mods I have done to the car compliment each other. I don't think that installing Roller Rockers just on their own will reap as much reward.

Anyway, when I do some more decent runs... I will post the results again!!!!

Cheers All
Dazza

 

[sscam69]

Saweeet!!

 

[cruzer99]

OK......now I'm jealous.
Do you have any idea of the amount of work you are going to make me do on mine now?

Actually that sounds great.....congrads :BOW

 

[Zektor]

Cruzer82,
I think for the money and ease of the install. Roller Rockers are the way to go in your car. You can do the mod yourself and feel the power!!!!

Currently, here's a list of all the mods to my 82...

EGR Removed
AIR Pump Removed.
AIR-CON Removed.
CAT Removed
True dual unrestricted exhaust system
Davis Unified Ignition cap, coil and rotor.
Magnecor leads
Hooker Headers
K&N Air filters (in open-air airbox)
Comp Cams Roller Rockers
PCV filter

That's it!!! These are fairly basic mods... but they work!!!

It's all about letting the car breathe and rev freely. All the accessories sap power. Remove 'em!!!
In fact, I haven't actually removed the AIR-CON, just disconnected the belt. You can get around 7 bhp extra just by doing this!

6.5 seconds here I come!!!

Cheers
Dazza
ps. Doing these mods gives your 1982 Corvette the performance it should of had in the first place. And none of these mods cost big money... just sensible money!!! Your car could do 6.5 seconds to 60 mph to instead of GM's 8.1 seconds!!!

 

[Twin_Turbo]

what do you mean cams are rare???? There are quite a number of cams that will work with your engine. The compucam 2030 is a very nice improvement over stock. If you want something more aggressive anything with a max of 220 @ .050 duration and about 112 degrees or more of seperation (to keep overlap down) will work very well.

Marck

 

[Zektor]

Rare Cams...

Twinnie,
I might well be wrong. But from what I have seen available performance wise for a 1982 is pretty rare compared to other years.
In fact, I wouldn't mind sticking in better camshaft!!!

Questions then...

If I stick in the cam you are suggesting...

how much extra HP will it give?

Can I stick with the stock injection system?

Can the cam be fitted with the engine in the car?

What other items would I have to change to use this cam?

Cheers
Dazza

 

[Twin_Turbo]

The stock cam is really pathetic, and it's a soft cast cam w/ only a thin hardened layer. chances are your is worn like almost all others and has the lobes worn off. Check lift on all the pushords and you'll probbly see a difference betwen them.

A 2030 cam will give a good Hp increase, could be something like 30Hp, maybe more. It depends on the rest of the engine.
You can stick with the stock injection system, if the system is close to stock the ECM will compensate.
The cam can be fitted w/ the engine in the car, just remove the radiator and wrap the A/C condenser to the side

The only other things you'd have to change are the lifters and maybe the springs (recommended), they can be bought in complete kits from Comp Cams.

Marck