After seeing mild cams like the LT1 cam (10hp over the L98 cam that came in my Lb9 car) how would rockers even do? I keep hearing 20hp or so but everyone says to do a cam instead. I'm just wondering why is all.

How much hp do rockers give on an Lb9?

 

Well I have heard 13 RWHP on an LS1, but I dont know about an lb9. What I do know is that it cant hurt. If you say wanted a bit more lift without pulling the motor apart too much, then go for it. I got myself some 1.6 rockers for my lg4 just for that reason. I want more lift, because my cam doesnt even know what lift is, much less have any, and I cant commit to a cam swap at the moment.

 

depends on "worth it" means.... well most likely it will help you out but, don't expect it to be a good bang for the buck. (not with the prices they go for) choosing the right cam will give way better results. however if your heads will flow well in the lift range the 1.6 rockers will bring it too then you can see some good gains up to 20hp. (not likely though-10hp??? just a wild guess) I don't know what your heads flow so I can't say. but, some heads don't like too much lift and can flow less cfm even though the valve is opened more. so you may want to find a flow chart for your heads

 

A good set of 1.5 rockers would be just as good. Your stamped 1.5 flex quite a bit.

The difference between an aftermarket set of 1.5s and stamped OE rockers will be greater than a good set of 1.5s and a good set of 1.6s.

I researched this to no end on several different sites and most people I've talked to say that a good set of aftermarket 1.5s is all you need UNLESS you are in a specific situation where the motor is designed to be used with 1.6s, or you have a specific problem that may require a little extra lift.

Lift just for the sake of lift typically is useless.

...and you can't compare an LS1 to a traditional smallblock. You can sweet talk an extra 10 HP out of an LS1

 

I put rockers in my 87 LB9 after I had 233rwhp (Compucam 2030, all freebies, ported heads, hooker full header system) w/ the 1.6 full roller rockers It made 249rwhp, 16 hp gain....

 

I also have been researching installing 1.6 ratio rocker arms. The cam in my 5.0 Liter produces about .48” of lift for both valves which would increase to about .51” with these rockers. I recently discussed this idea with my mechanic who installed my new engine and cam. His advise that it would be too much for my set up producing a rough idle. Once the car got going it would be fine, but based on what I wanted when I choose my set up it would not be appropriate for my set up. I have read that many OEM stamped 1.5 ratio rockers when measured actually come out less when measured at about 1.45 or so. The real benefit of rockers is to get the roller needle bearings in the fulcrum. The roller tip is alright; however, the friction and heat is really generated at the fulcrum. Then with 1.6 ratio rockers you may need new springs and possibly head work and the list keeps going to do it right.

 

So that's a negative. That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks guys.