Roller Rockers

[scherp69]

I'm making a list of items that I still need to finish my car. One thing I was debating about getting was a set of roller rockers. How much would they help on a street car. It will be a L92 or LS3 (depending on if I keep the VVT or not) and should be 550 or so hp. Thanks.

[Rybar]

Mike, I don't know how necessary they are on LS motors. I had my stockers rebuilt by Harland Sharp with different bearings that are more durable than the needle bearings, and its cheaper than full roller rockers.

[GregWeld]

Mike --

I wouldn't change 'em......


Unless you're planning on really hammering the thing and high revs etc. Spend you're money on something that will count for more.

[ma73z]

I went with the comp cams trunion kit on mine, it's like $130 bucks and easy to do.

[scherp69]

Thanks guys. Another item I can cross off the list of don't needs.

[Ron in SoCal]

I'm going against the grain here - anyone who digs high revvin', hammer the throttle motoring can benefit from a set of rollers on a 11.4:1 compression motor. You'll only get limited HP bump, but they're so smooth and they rev so nice I would not build a motor any different. My personal opinion is they protect your valve train from unnecessary damage.

Flame away guys...:cool:

[scherp69]

I'm going against the grain here - anyone who digs high revvin', hammer the throttle motoring can benefit from a set of rollers on a 11.4:1 compression motor. You'll only get limited HP bump, but they're so smooth and they rev so nice I would not build a motor any different. My personal opinion is they protect your valve train from unnecessary damage.

Flame away guys...:cool:

What about a stock L92 though? No 11:4 compression there.

[Ron in SoCal]

What about a stock L92 though? No 11:4 compression there.

You're right, I believe it's 10.7 but you're still going to cam it and (I'm sure) step on it once in a while, right?

[scherp69]

Of course I'm going to step on in once in a while. What I'm wondering though, are the gains worth the $500 at this stage in my build. Or is it one of those nice to have items that when I upgrade my heads as a winter project, I do the rockers at the same time. I'm trying to make my purchases count from now on so I can get my list of 'things I still need" shorter.

[GregWeld]

Mike --

Make your list SHORTER.... rollers are "nice" and are fun to say you have... but certainly aren't required "now".... and this is a super easy down the line upgrade item.

It's what makes some of these builds take so long! If you don't have super deep pockets - buying all the 'frills' and making the build super complicated - is just holding up your "fun". Get that bad boy on the road... and leave the easy upgrades for later.

Having said this - I always advise when building a motor - and you want to use aluminum heads - don't wait to get those later -- because the motor is a total of the parts and they need to be there from the get go. But roller rockers aren't going to affect a stock motors performance at this point in time.

It's like wheels -- they're super important to know what you're going to run - offset - backspace - width etc... so they need to be "in the mix" when you're building -- the TIRES --- not so much. Buy "get 'er done" tires (the proper size etc) and save up for the killer $500 each versions when you're ready.

[Rybar]

Well don't LS7's and LS9's rev to 7k? And they run the stock style GM rockers don't they?

Look into the Harland Sharp rebuild kit, I found mine on LS1tech brand new for a good price. And I'm running 11.5:1 on my LS1.

[scherp69]

Mike --

Make your list SHORTER.... rollers are "nice" and are fun to say you have... but certainly aren't required "now".... and this is a super easy down the line upgrade item.

It's what makes some of these builds take so long! If you don't have super deep pockets - buying all the 'frills' and making the build super complicated - is just holding up your "fun". Get that bad boy on the road... and leave the easy upgrades for later.

Having said this - I always advise when building a motor - and you want to use aluminum heads - don't wait to get those later -- because the motor is a total of the parts and they need to be there from the get go. But roller rockers aren't going to affect a stock motors performance at this point in time.

It's like wheels -- they're super important to know what you're going to run - offset - backspace - width etc... so they need to be "in the mix" when you're building -- the TIRES --- not so much. Buy "get 'er done" tires (the proper size etc) and save up for the killer $500 each versions when you're ready.

Well put Greg. And that's how I'm trying to change my approach to be more like. So far I've been buying everything, but if I keep doing it, I'll never get all my parts. I'd love to get a set of the Mast heads, but the stock L92 ones will do me fine for now. Down the road when I get the new heads, I'll get the rockers to go with them. Thanks guys.

[scherp69]

I went with the comp cams trunion kit on mine, it's like $130 bucks and easy to do.

I will definitely give those a look though. $130 much better than $500.

[Ron in SoCal]

Of course I'm going to step on in once in a while. What I'm wondering though, are the gains worth the $500 at this stage in my build. Or is it one of those nice to have items that when I upgrade my heads as a winter project, I do the rockers at the same time. I'm trying to make my purchases count from now on so I can get my list of 'things I still need" shorter.

I agree with what you said above and I think you have your answer. If heads are Project Overtime PT II, skip it. Just so you know, I myself was thinking of some crazy motor mods, but am only doing a cam and all my head work in phase one - saving the crazy stuff for later - so I'm right there w you. :lateral:

[214Chevy]

Besides, the LS3, L92 roller rockers are offset and aftermarket ones are very expensive. There aren't too many people making them. I've included a few links to a few manufacturers just to show you how expensive the aftermarket ones are. But, they are nice though. I have the comp cams ones. Probably went overboard with that purchase. But, since I had their new LSr cam and matching cam springs, I said "oh, what the hell" and splurged and bought them.



http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-201750-16/?rtype=10
http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CC&Product_Code=1521&Category_Code=
http://paceperformance.com/i-5145708-mtm401-020-l92-ls3-l76-l99-1-7-shaft-roller-rocker-arms.html