Powerhouse are selling Vortec long slot roller rockers in either 1.5 or 1.6 ratios for $89.95. Has anyone used these? They are self aligning - will they go on to an iron headed L98? How about valve cover clearance - I am using the centre bolt magnesium Vette valve covers.

 

ttt

 

There's no such thing as "Vortec" roller rockers. They're just using the "Vortec" buzzword.

I can't imagine roller rockers for $90. About the cheapest ones I've ever seen are the chinesium ones from places like CAT, for about twice that price. But I could be wrong.

Those are probably "roller tip", not "roller". At that cheap, they're probably also just stamped sheet metal. In which case, they're not worth the price.

Don't fall for the buzzword.

 

Yeah you're right mate - I think they are just roller tipped stamped steel ones, but I was after the 1.6 ratio as much as anything...is there a better/cheaper option for getting the higher ratio?

 

Comp makes roller tipped Magnum rockers that clear centerbolt valve covers and are offerered in the 1.6 ratio. <A HREF="http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA%2D1418%2D16">CCA-1418-16</A>

What cam are you using at the momment?

 

I just have the stock '88 350 cam [0.415" and 0.430" lift]. Because there seems to be only a minor benefit using 1.6 rockers, I don't want to spend up big on them - that's why the Powerhouse El Cheapos looked OK! I couldn't find a basic stamped 1.6 rocker that was self aligning either - does anyone else make them?

 

You don't want a stamped rocker, if you're looking for any kind of performance increase. They are garbage.

Sheet metal rockers are weak. They bend. Different ones within a "set" bend different amounts. Therefore your valves don't all open the same.

The Comp 1400 series is about the least expensive ones (chinesium ones are "cheap", these others are inexpensive) that are reliable and give a consistent ratio. I'd also recommend those.

 

comp makes good stuff, only rockers i run are from comp.

 

Yeah and the stock ones are stamped also and use a thinner material and many people are getting 150,000 + miles on them without any problems. So going to another stamped roller tip with a thicker gauge than stock, can be nothing but a good thing. If your not building a super high performance motor that revs over 7 grand I don't see the problem. Yeah there not the best but some people don't have the extra dollars for the best parts. If your just adding some bolt ons to a stock motor they are an upgrade from stock stamped rockers, and they will benefit your motor, even the least expensive ones are more accurate to there ratios and deflections than the stock rockers.

 

Jegs sells proform full roller rockers that are self aligning. 179.99 I think. Just make sure you don't float the valves with them, LOL.