1992 Camaro Z28 350 TPI with CompCam 08-300-8 mild step up 1 cam.

I am thinking of upgrading to 1.6 full bearing. Engine was recently rebuilt. Springs are brand new, new replacement 1.5 stock type rockers.

Wanting to upgrade to Scorpion Pro Aluminum 1.6ratio Full bearing, self-aligning rockers.

I have mixed comments on times to install, prices, and what has to be changed. Some say YES other say NO.. which is it?

1. Stock valve covers on now, do I really have to buy new higher ones? I'm being told you have to because they are full bearing and the size of the bearing creates clearence issues under the stock cover. If roller tip with no bearing fulcrum, then the stock covers would be fine.

2. Being told by mechanic it's a 4-5 hours job. 4 hours avg. 5 hours as he may have to disconnect the AC to get better access? 5 hours?

3. Total cost quoted.

- Before Dyno
- Cost of the scorpion self-aligning 1.6 alumin. rockers
- Install
- Being told I have to get new valve covers as they won't clear
- new gaskets
- After Dyno

$1100 canadian.

That sound right??

 

may need valve covers if the poly lock style. i had roller tip 1.6's and no problems. when i bought the pro mag full rollers with polylocks, they are alot taller. i dont know for sure but its probly a better bet to get new covers

the job only took me about 2 hrs to get it all together. i worked on it one evening for alittle, got one side done then did the other the next day. think it was about a 2 hr job taking my time. did one at a time, cranking the motor over by hand. its easy process just take your time with it and set preload correctly and tighten the locks well. it should not take 4-5 hrs for anyone who knows what they are doing... getting the valve covers off is the hardest part

 

You did ask for coments...
2 hours is right for a carb engine in a "clean" engine compartment.
I think he's right on the money with the 4-5 hours if your engine looks like this:


and he evacuates and recharges the A/C.
I would skip the dyno sessions before and after.
The only thing worse than spending $900 to gain 10 horsepower, is spending another $200 for a piece of paper proving that's all you gained...
Full-roller rockers save horsepower on cams with very high lift and are nothing but a headache for the street/mild engines and a waste of money.
If you do decide to do it, be sure and get some real pretty valve covers so you can point to them and say "that's where the awsome rockers are".
My .

 

Tall valve cover will be needed for those rockers and as far as labor that is about right. There are mechanic on this forum that could do it faster but for your application, I would have the shop do the work if only for the waranty/guarantee. As “Supervisor42”” stated, I would hate to spend that much money for minimal gains. Maybe a set of exhaust headers would probably be the better way to go.

 

Here's another HINT!

 

actually I already have exhaust flowmaster, dual hi flo cats and headers.

 

The first (before) dyno was actually a dyno I've been meaning to get as I have a dyno done before I had a custom chip programmed and tuned to the car but not after. So this dyno would be the aftermath of the chip, and a before for the rockers.

 

I'm happy with the results.. Ended up costing $300 less as due to the SMOG system installed, the full roller rockers could not be installed as there was no room to fit the higher valve covers without permanently removing the smog system from the car. As a result we ended up installing the CompCam Magnum 1.6 self-aligning roller tipped.

There seemed to be many mixed opinions on whether or not I WOULD or would not notice anything from the upgrade..

Well let me tell you... WOW! What a difference! Exhaust is more throaty, throttle response is so touchy! even harder to NOT chirp the wheels at a dead stop by mistake! Ended up saving $300 because due to my SMOG setup, the higher covers won't fit, so we had to go CompCam Magnum Roller (tip) instead. Definately LOVE the difference!!

Dyno seems to back up my assuptions as it indicates an additional 11 RW-HP and 18 RW-TQ.. And with that little amount added, what a difference in feel. The throttle is MUCH more touchy now.. Definately improved throttle response.

 

so thats 11whp 18wtq with rockers and a chip? thats good gains... i didnt see much from my L98 with 1.6's but i was running alot leaner than normal and still made more power so i would say 1.6 rockers on stock/mild L98's is an effective mod

 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...6&autoview=sku

Is this the rollers you installed? And you are still able to use your original valve covers?

 

Yes those appear to be the ones installed now.

 

I have these on my 95 LT1. They fit under stock valve covers.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...6&autoview=sku

 

My engine looks like this and I put roller rockers on it in under 2 hrs time. That included removing the a/c compressor as well.



I will also say that they are IMO 100% worth it even for a street engine. I noticed the difference immediately. Even the idle note changed slightly more deep. I had to add more fuel almost everywhere, especially at the higher MAP end due to increased air flow. My rockers fit under a set of stock covers that had been lightly trimmed at the contact points.

 

We were talking about full-roller rockers. If you got full rollers under those covers, you need to post a pic so people will stop throwing away their money on aftermarket valve covers that don't have a damn filler cap to pour oil into the engine.
(I checked, sure enough, out of 218, only 6 had a filler (and 2 of those didn't include a CAP!))
I think we should take up a collection to get you a 3rd gen body to play with. I have yet to see someone have so much fun with a TPI in a van. (love the burnout video) I'd bet with an F-body you would build something very impressive.

 

Get the narrow body, self aligning, full roller rockers and they will clear the stock covers with a slight trim to any impeding internal bracing. I had none. The pushrod holes in the stock GM Goodwrench 187 casting 305 swirl ports that are on my engine were even big enough to keep the pushrods from rubbing. I also ran the same 1.6:1 full roller rockers on my Goodwrench 350 TBI with the same results. I have more than one set of these rockers and will take a picture when I get home this evening just to confirm we are on teh same page.

Alot of people build impressive 3rd gens. I would almost rather put something impressive in one of the early 80s disco style Malibu's or one of the equivalent GM Clones.

 

THESE are the Scorpion Pro Aluminum rockers he was going to put on in his original post.

For $1100 canadian.
(a bargain for a 12 hp increase I'm told)

 

 

I wouldn't spend more than $150.00 parts and labor, but thats because I would do the labor.

 

So would you say these <LINK>

for $340 that CAMAROBIRD92 put on his car are "100% worth it even for a street engine"?
I like the oil hole for the roller...