Hey guys, I've done run out of things I can just bolt on and need to start going inside to get more power. I thought I'd start with 1.6 roller rockers. So what would you suggest I buy? I would prefer to not have to change anything else to install these, so what are your suggestions? Also, what kind of gain can I expect on a stock 96 LT-1 motor?

 

Go with Crane rockers, you should get at least 15 hp out of them. Also you might want to change the valvesprings if you have high miles on them, it will add a lot of time on the job but could help avoid having to take the rockers off again if the valves start to float. Also, if you plan on a cam anytime soon then you would have to change them anyway. Good luck.

 

Have a part number? Name of them? or are they just standard? What springs should i go with? I have 77k miles on the car and it run a whole lot better than it did when I picked it up. These LT-1 are a super engine!!!

 

Check in the Summit online catalog in the TPI/LT1/LS1 section, they are the Crane Gold Series 1:6 rockers, should be $309. Anyone of the online techs should be able to steer you in the right direction as far as springs go. Call Thunderracing and talk to them, thats where ive gotten a majority of my stuff. www.thunderracing.com 1-877-516-7223
www.summitracing.com 800-230-3030

 

comp cam pro magnum run about 265 from summit
3/8 1.6 ratio---#cca-1302-16
7/16 1.6 ratio---#cca-1305-16

Matt

 

15 horse?? anyone have a dyno sheet to back this up?? seems kinda high

 

Jon,
The 1.6 rockers would be a nice up grade, along with a decent set of springs. But I'm looking at your sig and I can't find the part where it tells us about what type of headers you BOLTED on. I would do that 1st, then the rockers, and then a tune by Madwolf.

 

You will be fine with no headers, thats what i have. It will just be better once you get them bolted on. And 15-20 HP gains are normal with just about every Camaro when you do a rocker swap. Dont beleive dyno sheets, there are a lot of factors that dont go into the dynos numbers.

 

Your right about no headers. From what I've seen they don't do too much unless you go with long tubes, and they seem to be even harder to install.

To be honest I haven't even swapped out the plugs yet and I'm getting up there in mileage. This is the first car I've owned where I've looked at them and pretty much shook my head in disgust and walked away from doing a swap. Thinking if this, has anyone had any success going at these plugs from the wheel well?

 

Couldn't help but notice that you're from Atco, NJ. I race there frequently.

Anyway, for a bolt-on application, an aluminum rocker will work fine, although some people say that they can flex under high RPM use with higher pressure springs. I'm using them on my setup, and no problems. A full steel-bodied rocker would be your best bet, such as the Comp Pro Magnum 1.6 rockers. Use 7/16" studs (will need rockers designed for 7/16" studs), hardened pushrods, and guideplates, if you want an extremely stable valvetrain.

And whoever said headers don't do much obviously hasn't bolted a set on. Headers are the number ONE HP-adding bolt-on, besides heads/cam/blower/spray. Even the plug-access alone is worth the install.

Going through the wheel well to change the plugs? Nope... You're best bet is to do it like everyone else.

 

Clarification: i never said headers dont do much, i was saying that he would be fine getting 1:6 rockers without having headers yet, all it would mean is a bigger increase in power when he finally puts headers on. I am well aware of the power increases gotten by headers, there just a pain in the *** to install, thats why i havent done mine yet.

 

Are you a six speed or an auto? If your a six speed do gears. Like 3.73's or 4.10's. If your an auto do a converter and gears. You can do gears and converter for 5 bills and run better times than doing rockers. I did the header/ exhaust thing before I did the converter/gears. I gains .2 tenths off the headers/exhaust vs. over 3/4 seconds from a 2400 stall and 3.73 gears. This was on a 96 Impala SS at 4500 lbs. So at 3600 lbs you will probably do better. Good luck
HVY SS

 

Headers are really worth the effort? I've always done them before, and I've always seen big gains from them, but I swear i remember reading that they're only worth about 15 hp. i know 15hp isn't anything to pass on, but they are just too dam hard to install for 15hp I can get somewhere else. When I finally break down and change the plugs and wires, if it gets to the point I can't get them out, then I'll do the header swap then.

Already did the gears and converter, I went with 3.42 because i have a A4. I went back and forth on the size, between 3.73 and 3.42, and finally went with the 3.42 after driving a car with each. I liked where in the power band the 3.42 kept the car, and it would still hook up well.

I use to run at Atco myself years ago, once I bolt on a sophn torque arm I'm going to take it over there to get some times before going to the rockers.

Thanks guys for all your input. I think I'm going to go with the Comp magnums. Fairly inexpensive and good enough for now. I don't want to spend too much for heads I'm eventually going to swap out.

 

Crane Gold all the way! After I put those on with new springs and push rods I knocked of at least 2 tenths in the 1/4 mile.

 

I would personally go with the Comp Cams Pro magnums..Excellent Quality pieces. I have used Crane Golds in the past and they worked ok.

You can easily get more than 15 RWHP with headers and a cat back exhaust.

For example I dynoed 298RWHP with Rk Sport 1 3/4 mid length headers, Borla cat back, no catalytic converter,and Moroso cold air (1994 Z-28 M-6)

It ran 13.01@109 with those mods ..Headers woke this car up big time.. Huge gains. I would definately use full exhaust and CAI when doing headers minimum.

Headers even see good gains on dual cat cars, even though it wil not be quite as much.