I am thinking about adding 1.6 roller rockers on my 1897 GTA 350. Will I have to change springs? What valve cover will fit, or what mods will I have to do to the stock ones. The rockers I am looking at are the energizer ones from crane. i also would like to reuse the stock valve covers if possible but I kind of think that they won't work. Any ideas?

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust

 

damn thats an old gta

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92 z28 170,000 miles 14.20 on goodyear eagles before exhaust only mods k&n and slp 13/4 headers and dual 2 1/2 exhaust
87 trans am 12.20 on motor too many mods to list

 

You shouldn't have to change springs or valve covers, especially if they are the stamped steel. Even if they are full roller you still might be able to use the same valve covers, I know some people who have done that.

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Kevin Irving
85 Trans Am WS-6, 305 TPI, custom burned '86 PROM with '87 "165"ECM, Accel Supercoil & 8.8 Wires, Rapidfire #2 @ .055", MSD 6AL, 1.6:1 Roller tipped rockers, Homemade AFPR, K&N cone, no airbox, Aluminum Driveshaft, Wonderbar, TB Coolant Bypass, Ported Plenum, Descreened MAF, Syclone Fuel Pump, JET Airfoil, Mobil 1 synth in all but transmission.

http://www.geocities.com/transam85tpi/

 

You will have to make sure that the rockers you get are self-aligning because you don't have guideplates. I don't think the Energisers are. I'm not sure if you can go with a standard body size either. They may not clear the mounting posts for the valve covers. That means you'll have to go with a narrow body rocker like the Crane Golds or GMs. Springs and valve covers should be fine, though.

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Bob '89 Ram Air Formula 350
And until that time when death won't wait, let each man rage against his fate. (O'neill)
My car's homepage
Rider's Ride

 

the CraneCams Energizer roller rockers will not work under stock center bolt valve covers(according to CraneCams).you may be abile to cut out the webing on the under side of the covers to give you the clearence(maybe).Elderbrock and Moroso make a tall center bolt valve cover but thier not cheap.they also are not self-aligning so you'll need to run guideplates.if you have aftermarket heads you may not need to run guideplates(check with the manufacture)

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1991 banditt2 #130 of 600
Project 350 TPI Banditt II
http://www.street-dawg-racing.cityslide.com
http://discussion-board.com/GreaterC...dyAssociation/
http://www.cincyspeed.com/

 

OK SORRY it is a 1987 GTA. I was looking at the pushrod holes in the head and they are very small and the push rod actually touches the sides of the hole as if the hole actualy guided the push rod. The rockers themselves don't appear to be self aligning either. Would it still be wise to use guide plates? Also would this even help the car out at all. I have not even got it running yet but since I have the top end tore down such as the intake and valve covers I thought I might try it.

------------------
89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust

 

ANYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------
89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust

 

Correct! 87 does not use self aligners, nor does some 88's. But going to 1.6 ratio rockers poses another problem. The pushrod is moved closer to the rocker stud and in doing this, may bind in the pushrod guide hole. Jegs or Summit sells a 'louis tool' to elongate the slot directly in line with the existing one, therefore standard narrow body rockers could be used. Some examples are proform and harland sharp and crane.

Another option is to hog out the pushrod holes rendering them useless and using guideplates which will require pulling out the pressed in studs, machining the stud tops down to accomadate the hex of the rocker stud, and tapping them 7/16-14.

Yet another option is hogging the pushrod holes, and going with self aligning ($$$) crane rollers. This still leaves the pressed in studs, but you could pull them out and tap them yourself (tap them straight!!! and don't snap it!!!) and use 'street' screw in studs that have no hex so no machining is required. They are made by Mr Gasket.

The only mods needed for the valve covers is crushing the PCV oil baffle slightly with vise grips. The centerbolts work A-OK....

Wide body rockers are nothing but trouble in centerbolt apps. These include the energizer's, summit brand, and others.



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'88 Camaro RS 2.8L
'88 Formula 350 (Too many mods to list...)

 

Just curious Aaron, did you buy that GTA from Foster Auto in Tripoli? Is it black with a digital dash and tan interior?

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'89 Firebird Formula 350
L98, WS6, Red/grey, t-tops, and a 3.27:1 rear
K&N, TB bypass, no MAF screens, CAI, full Accel ignition, no cats, Hooker Supercomp shorties, Hooker 3-inch catback
ET? 14.19@98.9mph (G-tech)
(Corrected for G-tech 'extra' 6mph)
Also own '83 Firebird 2.8 2bbl. 155K miles.
ET? Break out the calendar!

 

Why yes I did buy that car. It is about half done. Waiting for the wiring, throttle body, fuel rail assembly, injectors, once I get all those it will be running.

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust

 

I looked at that same car. I seriously considered buying it but I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the digital dash working.

 

when GM went with a roller cam set in 1987 they allso went to a self-aligning rocker arm.
if your worried about the push rod rubbing against the head and you don't want to bore out the push rod holes for bigger roller rockers?go with a true 1.52 roller rocker.the stock rocker arms are 1.5 but their not perfect.some could be 1.49,1.54,1.48,1.51.they are a stamped peice so they can't be perfect

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1991 banditt2 #130 of 600
Project 350 TPI Banditt II
http://www.street-dawg-racing.cityslide.com
http://discussion-board.com/GreaterC...dyAssociation/
http://www.cincyspeed.com/