BTR Trunnions at 22k miles. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ashen L99 · 06-12-2022, 06:11 PM

Andrew and y’all jinxed me. I read the thread and thought ok, next oil change when I check the springs I’ll look at the trunnions too. Well, they got a little impatient. I didn’t know these were a needle bearing kit, I did not do any of the work, I told the shop to put a bushing style kit in but I guess not. Other than all of the needle bearings being everywhere in the motor, it should be an easy fix. CHE’s are on order.

Edit: I was not aware that it was a BTR kit. I messaged the shop and he told me about 30 minuets ago from me making this post what brand the trunnions were. Yes we are having words.

Ashen 6.2 · 06-12-2022, 06:28 PM

Oh man that sucks!

demonspeed · 06-12-2022, 08:30 PM

Yikes… hell, at this point I’m wondering is it even worth sticking with anything but OE? It’s crazy that only recently are we starting to see more about the trunnions.

Ashen L99 · 06-13-2022, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Yikes… hell, at this point I’m wondering is it even worth sticking with anything but OE? It’s crazy that only recently are we starting to see more about the trunnions.

No, OE is worse than what I had because they don’t rotate far enough to support an aftermarket cam.

Ashen 6.2 · 06-13-2022, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Yikes… hell, at this point I’m wondering is it even worth sticking with anything but OE? It’s crazy that only recently are we starting to see more about the trunnions.

I had 2 OE's come apart several years ago. Found them when starting the first cam swap.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=489132

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-13-2022, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen L99

Andrew and y’all jinxed me. I read the thread and thought ok, next oil change when I check the springs I’ll look at the trunnions too. Well, they got a little impatient. I didn’t know these were a needle bearing kit, I did not do any of the work, I told the shop to put a bushing style kit in but I guess not. Other than all of the needle bearings being everywhere in the motor, it should be an easy fix. CHE’s are on order.

Edit: I was not aware that it was a BTR kit. I messaged the shop and he told me about 30 minuets ago from me making this post what brand the trunnions were. Yes we are having words.

Oh crap bro, that really bites!! Hope you can get them all out and there isn't any damage internally.. Wow, I too would be having serious words with the shop manager on that one!!!!

Ashen L99 · 06-13-2022, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Oh crap bro, that really bites!! Hope you can get them all out and there isn't any damage internally.. Wow, I too would be having serious words with the shop manager on that one!!!!

He’s telling me, they’ve never seen a BTR set come apart. I believe him, but this is why I hate needle bearings. Cut the subframe to drop the pan. And pray they are all down there.

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-14-2022, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen L99

He’s telling me, they’ve never seen a BTR set come apart. I believe him, but this is why I hate needle bearings. Cut the subframe to drop the pan. And pray they are all down there.

Wow, yea I also have never heard of a BTR come apart. But, like you said, I also don't like needle bearings. It could have happened to anyone, ya never know. Good luck and hope it is all good.

Bob570 · 06-17-2022, 10:07 AM

That looks like their cheaper kit, which I'm fairly certain is made by Comp. I've been seeing posts about the Comp trunnion kit with bad wear for years already on LS1Tech, which is why I decided to go with CHE kit. However this is the worst I've seen.

Most people just look for the cheapest trunnion option and don't question it, I don't understand why, in the coming years I think there's going to be a lot more people finding out about this.

demonspeed · 06-17-2022, 12:09 PM

I believe now only sells their 2nd version bearings, so yes, that could explain why the OPs look so bad as he has the original bearings BTR used. Definitely sucks.

acammer · 06-26-2022, 06:37 PM

Worn bushed trunnion - no big deal. Worn/failed needle bearing trunnion (OE or aftermarket) - big PITA or worse. That's a no contest for me. You're gonna do valve springs every 20-40k, no reason you can't be maintaining bushed trunnions on the same schedule.

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-27-2022, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonspeed

I believe now only sells their 2nd version bearings, so yes, that could explain why the OPs look so bad as he has the original bearings BTR used. Definitely sucks.

I think the other day when I was just checking things out, I saw where BTR now has a "bushed" trunnion upgrade, similar to the Smith Bros. I have my new CHE's sitting on my dining room table just waiting for a time to install them.

Ashen L99 · 06-27-2022, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

I think the other day when I was just checking things out, I saw where BTR now has a "bushed" trunnion upgrade, similar to the Smith Bros. I have my new CHE's sitting on my dining room table just waiting for a time to install them.

Yeah well the BTR trunnions have cost me a set of pistons at this juncture. CHEs went in and after driving it for a little while it started to have massive blowby. I’m assuming a valve kissed a piston and cracked it. Yay me.

demonspeed · 06-28-2022, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashen L99

Yeah well the BTR trunnions have cost me a set of pistons at this juncture. CHEs went in and after driving it for a little while it started to have massive blowby. I’m assuming a valve kissed a piston and cracked it. Yay me.

Welcome to the club - we hate accepting new members 😆

06-12-2022, 06:11 PM	#1
Ashen L99 Drives: Ashen grey, 1SS, L99 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 526	BTR Trunnions at 22k miles. Andrew and y’all jinxed me. I read the thread and thought ok, next oil change when I check the springs I’ll look at the trunnions too. Well, they got a little impatient. I didn’t know these were a needle bearing kit, I did not do any of the work, I told the shop to put a bushing style kit in but I guess not. Other than all of the needle bearings being everywhere in the motor, it should be an easy fix. CHE’s are on order. Edit: I was not aware that it was a BTR kit. I messaged the shop and he told me about 30 minuets ago from me making this post what brand the trunnions were. Yes we are having words. Attached Images __________________ Roto-fab CAI, Nick Williams 102mm TB, LOD X1 V3 intake manifold, GMPP LS3 heads, Night Fury cam, TSP 2” long tubes, Corsa ZL-1 catback, Nitrous Outlet 102mm plate kit/150 shot, NGK BR7EF plugs with Taylor plug wires, DSX flex fuel kit, ZL-1 fuel pump and injectors, B&M deep trans pan, Yank 3400 converter, 3.45s with BMR Delrin bushings, mishimoto 169° Thermostat, GM ground effects, T-Rex upper grill, Z/28 Spoiler, Lolly pop Lime brake calipers, ZL1 10 spoke wheels, 12” subwoofer, and custom paint matched interior.

06-12-2022, 06:28 PM	#2
Ashen 6.2 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 1,993 View My Garage	Oh man that sucks! __________________ 2014 Camaro SS L99, Ashen Grey w/Black Leather - Build thread - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491561 Mods - GPI 416 w/Custom Grind Cam, Ported Heads & Tuned by Ben, Mag Heartbeat, ZL1 Fuel Pump & DSX Aux Pump, NW 103 TB, FIC 1650's, Alky Meth, Circle D 3600 Triple Disc, RPM 5” CAI, Kooks Headers, Solo Cat Back, Viking Coil Overs & all the BMR Goodies in the rear, Zl1 3.23 Diff, DSS Axles, Gulfcoast Driveshaft, Hendrix Offset Diff Bushings, AFE Solid Subframe Bushings, 875HP/843TQ 5FDP

06-12-2022, 08:30 PM	#3
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	Yikes… hell, at this point I’m wondering is it even worth sticking with anything but OE? It’s crazy that only recently are we starting to see more about the trunnions. __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

06-17-2022, 12:09 PM	#10
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	I believe now only sells their 2nd version bearings, so yes, that could explain why the OPs look so bad as he has the original bearings BTR used. Definitely sucks. __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

06-26-2022, 06:37 PM	#11
acammer GPI Sales Consultant Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS SGM Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Weedsport, NY Posts: 2,794 View My Garage	Worn bushed trunnion - no big deal. Worn/failed needle bearing trunnion (OE or aftermarket) - big PITA or worse. That's a no contest for me. You're gonna do valve springs every 20-40k, no reason you can't be maintaining bushed trunnions on the same schedule. __________________ GPI Max Package 2.0: Brodix BR7 heads/GPI porting, MAX3 cam, ST2116LSR, BSR Max Lift rockers, LS7 LSXR with 103mm TB, Vararam OTR, Mcleod RXT, G-Force/Strange 9" IRS setup with 4.63 gear. 551whp, 11.1@124mph. *Got a question about a GPI product? Feel free to shoot me a message!*

06-17-2022, 10:07 AM	#9
Bob570 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: May 2022 Location: West Michigan Posts: 10	That looks like their cheaper kit, which I'm fairly certain is made by Comp. I've been seeing posts about the Comp trunnion kit with bad wear for years already on LS1Tech, which is why I decided to go with CHE kit. However this is the worst I've seen. Most people just look for the cheapest trunnion option and don't question it, I don't understand why, in the coming years I think there's going to be a lot more people finding out about this.