ok, the local speed shop is telling me that it is gonna take 5 to 6 hours to install a set of rockers . i think that there full of it, is it a real in depth time consuming process?

 

Well you will need to do springs at the same time, so once it's all said and done, that sounds about right. Rockers alone shouldn't take more than 1-2 hours with adjusting.

 

If they are just installing RR's, it wouldn't take more than 2 - 3 hours; you need to pull the valve covers, remove the old rockers, install the new RR's set the lash and put the covers back on. If your new RR's include larger rocker arm studs, you need to add time to R&R the studs. I would suggest you replace your valve springs at the same time to prevent coil bind; my friend didn't and he broke the ball tip off 2 push rods after about 10K miles. Replacing the springs will bump the job up to about 6 hours but cheap insurance!

 

well, they are talking about just the arms, im going from stock to 1.6, are springs really necessary? i dont EVER go above 5500 rpm, they say it is because of the covers and that they are gonna have to cut and grind away to make them fit.

 

also, what would be more benificial, rockers or hooker cat back? thanks!

 

It doesn't matter if you go to 5500 or not, you will need better springs if you don't want problems.

Do the catback first. It will be cheaper and bring about the same amount of HP.

 

ok, cat back it is! what can i realistically expect from a decent cat back? im thinking max about 15 or so horses.

 

Comp Cams Pro Magnums will need to have the valve covers modified, Crane Golds don't need the mod.

You'll probably end up doing both mods over time (cat back and RR's); I think the RR's give you more power at the higher RPM's; not sure why you're limiting your RPM range.

Like I posted above, my friend broke 2 push rods...it's your motor...you choose.

 

Thou shalt always start modding an F-body with a catback. Then do a cold air intake and so on. The stock exhaust is a restriction and so it will restrict any other induction/exhaust mods from bringing their full potential.
A catback should be good for about 15 HP. Rockers will probably add a few HP more, but they will end up costing almost double (of the catback's cost) with the labor and springs.

 

this is my only car at the moment, sold my talon, so i really cant afford to blow it up so i limit it to 5500 or under, just to be really safe right now i dont know the condition of the valvetrain, it wasnt driven hard as my sister owned it before me, 3500 was the max for her.

 

I got quoted 1HR and a whopping $50 to do my rocker arms by themselves. I think they are jerking u around a bit.

 

in kokomo! hell, i will drive there for that price! where at?

 

Contact Darin at HardenMotorsports.com , that is the price he quoted me when I was at his house. He is located in Nashville, Indiana it is about 2 1/2 hours south of me. Says it takes him about an hour and would do it for $50 bucks. He knows his stuff VERY well. I am having him do my complete cam and spring swap with 1.6 rr's for $500.

 

thanks for all the info guys! also, i imagine most cat backs achieve close to the same results, is hooker or magnaflow one of the more desirable setups for the price?

 

Yea 5-6 hrs for rockers is total B.S, id love to have the number to the shop where you were qouted that time frame. Valve springs are not necessary, recommened most of the time but not absolutly necessary. I changed my rockers this past summer and left the springs with about 100k on them alone, and havent had a problem with them and im not exactly easy on my car. A cat back might get you 5-10, but stay away from Flowmaster, beleive what you hear when people say their systems are crap on our cars. I had the single out muffler, swapped it for the XR1 muffler and picked up 10-15 hp easy.