Rocker trunion upgrade - Page 4 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Overkillphil · 11-04-2012, 06:09 PM

That video is pretty slick! I've been wrenching my whole life and never really thought about using a drill press as a light duty arbor press! As for the trunion upgrade, I've personally seen what happens when you throw in an aggressive cam without it on my buddies 6.0 with ls3 heads. What a mess!! The stockers didn't last long before self-destruction.

MikeOD · 11-05-2012, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never Satisfied

Pardon my ignorance, but do the rockers on these motors require lash adjustment?

No, the rockers in these engines are bolted down to the heads and the bolts are torqued.

If your cam or head and/or valve work dictates different valve geometry, typically you'll need different length pushrods to set lash properly on the lifter plunger. In some rare cases I've seen it necessary to shim the rocker bases in order to achieve a proper wipe pattern on the valve stem, but that's typically only with valve work or aftermarket valves. My LS3 heads are ported and the stock valves were re-worked, and the pattern was great anyways. The heads are milled slightly though, and the cam is a different base circle, but math worked and the pushrod length we thought would be right turned out great.

McBeevee · 11-05-2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeOD

No, the rockers in these engines are bolted down to the heads and the bolts are torqued.

If your cam or head and/or valve work dictates different valve geometry, typically you'll need different length pushrods to set lash properly on the lifter plunger. In some rare cases I've seen it necessary to shim the rocker bases in order to achieve a proper wipe pattern on the valve stem, but that's typically only with valve work or aftermarket valves. My LS3 heads are ported and the stock valves were re-worked, and the pattern was great anyways. The heads are milled slightly though, and the cam is a different base circle, but math worked and the pushrod length we thought would be right turned out great.

Thank you....that's what I suspected. I guess that's one of the drawbacks to having a shop do my cam install. I am definitely going to knock this out this winter.

yotaman96 · 11-05-2012, 09:02 AM

I did this a few weeks ago. Much easier than I expected. I used a drill press to install the bearings.

McBeevee · 11-05-2012, 09:17 AM

I have a bench vise and a free standing press....probably just use the press. Are the valve cover gaskets reusable?

yotaman96 · 11-05-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never Satisfied

I have a bench vise and a free standing press....probably just use the press. Are the valve cover gaskets reusable?

Yes

blazzin1 · 11-05-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caswell239

I just did this last night while watching a movie with the wife, lol.
Ps yes that's a bench vice vice gripped to my coffee table

That's too funny!!!

My wife would kick my ass!!!

BLACK10 · 11-06-2012, 02:57 PM

We recommend the trunion upgrade whenever we install a cam

csjcsj · 11-06-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK10

We recommend the trunion upgrade whenever we install a cam

+1!

CWI · 11-07-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK10

We recommend the trunion upgrade whenever we install a cam

I agree and I like Ted Jannety's take on it. Don't do a cam without doing this upgrade. Do while you're in there and have the rockers off. Better than NEEDING to do it later and fish out needle bearings like I am doing. I only have a little time a day to work on it. At least I can get away with taking my rockers, the kit and tools to work with me tonight to change the trunions.

FosterSS · 11-07-2012, 12:38 PM

If I do an upgrade on my rockers, let's say to some comp Cams, would I even need to worry about a trunion upgrade? I have had my cam in now for about 2k miles, but I curious which way is best to go, trunion upgrade or complete rocker? Thanks

Fast6.3 · 11-07-2012, 09:40 PM

the stock trunnions dont have the travel of the upgraded ones. Also the bearings are locked so that the needle bearings dont come out.

The Blue Ox · 11-07-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK10

We recommend the trunion upgrade whenever we install a cam

What if you are NOT doing a cam install,would you still recommend the upgrade?

mikeSS · 11-07-2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Blue Ox

What if you are NOT doing a cam install,would you still recommend the upgrade?

nope. some dont even have it done with a cam swap. i do not.

but with "no" cam, you should never need to touch the valve train.

11-05-2012, 09:02 AM	#46
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	I did this a few weeks ago. Much easier than I expected. I used a drill press to install the bearings. __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins

11-05-2012, 09:17 AM	#47
McBeevee 220/221 whatever it takes Drives: See sig.... Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lafayette In Posts: 1,132	I have a bench vise and a free standing press....probably just use the press. Are the valve cover gaskets reusable? __________________ Brent 2022 BMW X5 M50i 2022 Ram TRX 2021 GT500 CFHP 2016 Challenger Hellcat A8 1058whp/898wtq 1970 Chevelle SS396 4spd

11-07-2012, 12:38 PM	#53
FosterSS Guardians Of The Night Drives: '13 ZL1 CRT Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 500 View My Garage	If I do an upgrade on my rockers, let's say to some comp Cams, would I even need to worry about a trunion upgrade? I have had my cam in now for about 2k miles, but I curious which way is best to go, trunion upgrade or complete rocker? Thanks __________________ 2013 ZL1 Crystal Red Tintcoat, Stock...for now 1968 SS/RS 396- being resurrected. 2011 SS LS3-Cammed, bolt-ons.(SOLD)

11-07-2012, 09:40 PM	#54
Fast6.3 Drives: 2016 2SS coupe 2015 3LT Stingray Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: El paso texas Posts: 880 View My Garage	the stock trunnions dont have the travel of the upgraded ones. Also the bearings are locked so that the needle bearings dont come out. __________________ Ported intake manifold and throttle body kooks 2" headers no cats

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS: COMP shaft rocker system	Total_Perf_Eng	Engine Internals	6	10-17-2011 02:06 PM
The 2011+ Mustang Thread	GatorBlue371	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	11874	08-23-2011 12:30 PM
JRE FUEL SYSTEM UPGRADE EDELBROCK SUPERCHARGERS	JANNETTYRACING	Forced Induction - V8	91	05-11-2011 10:35 AM
When to upgrade pulley on TVS2300?	audiomikej	Forced Induction - V8	3	09-05-2010 02:13 PM
Phaste Performance 'Stage 1' upgrade - CAI, shorties, axle-back & tune!	Sean@Phastek	V8 Bolt-Ons & Tunes	1	03-17-2010 01:21 PM

11-04-2012, 06:09 PM	#43
Overkillphil Tire Destroyer Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Hurst M6 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kingman, Arizona Posts: 164 View My Garage	That video is pretty slick! I've been wrenching my whole life and never really thought about using a drill press as a light duty arbor press! As for the trunion upgrade, I've personally seen what happens when you throw in an aggressive cam without it on my buddies 6.0 with ls3 heads. What a mess!! The stockers didn't last long before self-destruction.

11-06-2012, 02:57 PM	#50
BLACK10 Drives: 2010 CAMARO. 10.04@133mph, 1.4 60' Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 4,585	We recommend the trunion upgrade whenever we install a cam