Hi all! I just got a 97 30th anniversary camaro and I can't leave well enough alone lol. I am thinking of putting an XE503 in it. I have some LT4 1.6 rockers but don't know if they will be okay for this particular cam?

Do I have to use the comp pro mags and beehives or can I use LT4's and (non beehive) springs?

 

You don't HAVE to use the beehives, but they're just better for several different reasons....They're much lighter since they narrow twords the retainer side, less harmonics, better valve control, and even the regular inexpensive beehive steel retainers are about as light as a regular sized springs expensive titanium one's (a 15-25 HP difference is not uncommon when switching to them in certain situations).........you could get away with your current rockers(they're ok), but once again the comp pro-mags are much higher quality all the way around....the only thing I would say is "if" you do spend the cash and buy new rockers consider the 7 1/16 sized Non-self aligning units with guideplates........way better set-up in the long run if you plan on doing other mods in the future...........joe

 

yeah, I see a lot of people go nsa rockers but I don't understand why? I guess the are stronger but my setup is rather mild so I am not sure if it would be money well spent.

 

do you have to modify the guideplates when using nsa?

 

It's mostly because that self aligning rockers just have two little tabs(fences) keeping the rocker on the valve stem tip....In many opinions(including mine) theres just not much to stand in the way of a major valvetrain failure, and possible an even worse engine failure....for above 6000 RPM's I wouldn't trust anything but guideplates controlling the rockers side to side movement, or ofcourse a shaft type rocker system.......if your truely keeping the motor pretty stock, you could use what ya got without any problems im sure.....but like I said "if" you do ever spend the 270ish on rockers, then you may want to go for them since the only extra expense would be the guideplates and good quality hardened pushrods.

 

nope nothing

 

most people go to nsa rockers when they run beehives, because in order to get a correct installed height you have to run a +.050 locks. this shortens the available portion of the valve tip for the SA rocker tabs use to keep things in line. most of the time its not even an option because the SA rocker tabs will be riding on the locks which is not cool.