pr1689

We have decided to do a complete overhaul on my son's engine. He has decided to use a ZZ4 cam with vortec heads, and use his current TPI (and use the high flow runners). I know the ZZ4 is a roller cam, and wanted to get everyone's opinion on which roller lifters to use as well as which roller rockers to use and what length of pushrods to get. The motor is an 87 350 bored 40 over. It has a stock crank and flat top pistons. We may end up replacing all that too, but won't know for sure until we get the block out and do a little more inspecting.

I found these roller rockers on ebay but I haven't heard anyone mention these. What do you all think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...8579&rd=1&rd=1

Anyway, what other suggestions or things to keep in mind would you also suggest. I know we will have to get a different intake since we want to keep the TPI, I am trying to decide between the Edelbrock or the SDPC and they are both essentially the exact same manifold near as I can tell.

Thanks in advance for all comments, suggestions, and advice!

Pat

pr1689

Bump.

pr1689

Anyone?

pr1689

Hey guys, no one has an opinion or any thoughts on this? I'd appreciate any advice you all can suggest.

Thanks,

Pat

pr1689

Bump

rustbird77

iTrader: (2)

I dont think those rockers will work. You need self aligning rockers for use with a vortec head. They usually are quite expensive. Also, what year is the block in the car, I think around 86-87 they switched to a roller block.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Those rockers will work fine with Vortec heads. You don't "need" self-aligning ones. However, you DO need some way of aligning them. There are 3 common methods: SA rockers (which require the push rod holes in the head to be large enough to completely clear the push rod); the holes in the head being just exactly the width of the push rod; or guide plates under screw-in studs (which also require the large holes). Method #1 is factory on most 87-up SBCs; method #2 is factory on most 86-back ones; and method #3 is factory on the highest-performance SBCs from days gone by, as well as being the usual preferred racing method. Any one will work. However, your heads already have the large holes IIRC; meaning only methods 1 or 3 are available to you. I'd suggest #3, since you'll be having to do machine work to the heads anyway (or buying them, such as from SDPC, with the work in question already done).

Those cheap Chinese knock-offs of the Comp rockers are pretty much untested out here in real-world land. You get to be the guinea pig. Given that the Red Army isn't known for strict quality control when there's a buck to be made, it's anybody's guess what you'll get.

Edelbrock simply resells the SDPC TPI base. They are not "essentially the same", they in fact the EXACT same thing. Get it whichever way costs less.

If this is a roller block, just re-use the existing roller lifters. Push rods will probably want to be stock length or .050" longer. If your block is not a roller one, you'll have to use a roller-style timing set, and make a spacer equal to the thickness of a can retainer, and get a nylon cam button and grind or whittle it down to fit into that small bolt circle. Use anybody's roller lifters. No matter what lifters you use, i'd strongly recommend getting an adjustable push rod and measuring for the right length; it's impossible to accurately predict in advance what length you'll REALLY need, if you want to get it right.