Who's running aftermarket rocker arms....reviews, opinions, pros, & cons?

[2slik]

So, Ive got 30k+ on a complete BTR stage 3 cam swap. At the time I decided to just upgrade the stock rockers with a Summit Racing trunnion bushing kit. It was cheap and I'm always up for savin a few bucks if I can do it myself. Lately though I've been thinkin I'd like to swap out the rockers for something stronger just to ensure longevity and for piece of mind. I did a search on here for roller rocker arms and didn't find much direct info, so if any of you aftermarket roller rocker using guys would love to chime in with experiences and product recommendations it would be much appreciated. Looking for something that is a direct bolt on, will fit under the stock valve cover, and not require a pushrod length change if possible. Thanks!

[pnwdan]

Originally Posted by 2slik

So, Ive got 30k+ on a complete BTR stage 3 cam swap. At the time I decided to just upgrade the stock rockers with a Summit Racing trunnion bushing kit. It was cheap and I'm always up for savin a few bucks if I can do it myself. Lately though I've been thinkin I'd like to swap out the rockers for something stronger just to ensure longevity and for piece of mind. I did a search on here for roller rocker arms and didn't find much direct info, so if any of you aftermarket roller rocker using guys would love to chime in with experiences and product recommendations it would be much appreciated. Looking for something that is a direct bolt on, will fit under the stock valve cover, and not require a pushrod length change if possible. Thanks!

My opinion of course but the stock the rockers are more that capable with a proper trunion upgrade. Will be interested in seeing what everyone says though. Always up for learning new things.

[zz430camaro]

Unless there is something wrong with them or you want to go with a solid roller cam, leave them alone. Aftermarket rockers make no extra power and are probably not as good as the factory ones for the most part.

[2slik]

Originally Posted by pnwdan

My opinion of course but the stock the rockers are more that capable with a proper trunion upgrade. Will be interested in seeing what everyone says though. Always up for learning new things.

I have no doubt that the stock rockers are up to the task. Was just interested in maybe picking up a few ponies from a lighter, roller tipped set. Reduce my valvetrain weight and friction. Just curious what people have had success with in that area.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by zz430camaro

Unless there is something wrong with them or you want to go with a solid roller cam, leave them alone. Aftermarket lifters make no extra power and are probably not as good as the factory ones for the most part.

We normally see 20-28HP by swapping to Johnson lifters over LS7 lifters daily. They are 100x better than the OEM LS7 lifters.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by 2slik

I have no doubt that the stock rockers are up to the task. Was just interested in maybe picking up a few ponies from a lighter, roller tipped set. Reduce my valvetrain weight and friction. Just curious what people have had success with in that area.

You are better off with your stock rockers really. They have done pretty well, going over to aftermarket will not net you nore gain much. I'd only recommend them of you are going solid roller.

[Greenhornet2]

Originally Posted by 62nalide

We normally see 20-28HP by swapping to Johnson lifters over LS7 lifters daily. They are 100x better than the OEM LS7 lifters.

Well that's interesting. I was also looking at rocker options buy they were a lot of money and no guarantee on fitment and pushrod length. I just did the che trunions. I asked jannety and they had no suggestion for an aftermarket rocker arm and suggested i do the trunion upgrade.

[zz430camaro]

Originally Posted by 62nalide

We normally see 20-28HP by swapping to Johnson lifters over LS7 lifters daily. They are 100x better than the OEM LS7 lifters.

Oops, I meant to say rockers and not lifters.

[2slik]

Originally Posted by 62nalide

We normally see 20-28HP by swapping to Johnson lifters over LS7 lifters daily. They are 100x better than the OEM LS7 lifters.

Ok so, since you brought up lifters...I had planned on swapping those when i did my head swap. Would you be talking about the Johnson #2110 or the #2110R's when your talking about the 20-28 hp gains?

[zz430camaro]

Originally Posted by 2slik

Ok so, since you brought up lifters...I had planned on swapping those when i did my head swap. Would you be talking about the Johnson #2110 or the #2110R's when your talking about the 20-28 hp gains?

The Johnson are way better than factory ones because they have tighter clearance and don't leak down like the factory ones under much higher loads from the cam and springs. The short travel are better but you need to either have adjustable rockers to set preload or precision length push-rods if you keep factor non adjustable

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by 62nalide

We normally see 20-28HP by swapping to Johnson lifters over LS7 lifters daily. They are 100x better than the OEM LS7 lifters.

I hadn't heard that before and that certainly has me interested.

Separately I also wonder whether link bar lifters are worth it, since I'm assuming the bars add a little bit of weight. I do like the idea of not being able to spin a lifter and also being able to delete the lifter trays. For me though, I am mainly in the market for whatever is a balance of nearly bulletproof and easy to install. By ease of install, I mean not having to be a NASA scientist to figure out correct preload and pushrod length.

I had my LS3 rebuilt late last year and just went with LS7 lifters, as I didn't know when I would cam it. But now that I did the cam install last month the LS7 lifters have me a little nervous. But do I want to pull the heads just to do a proactive lifter upgrade? I would certainly be more for it if there was 20-28 HP on the table.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by 2slik

Ok so, since you brought up lifters...I had planned on swapping those when i did my head swap. Would you be talking about the Johnson #2110 or the #2110R's when your talking about the 20-28 hp gains?

The 2110 and 2110R is worth around 10-15HP on average but we have seen the biggest gains with ST 2116LSR Short travel lifters.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

Well that's interesting. I was also looking at rocker options buy they were a lot of money and no guarantee on fitment and pushrod length. I just did the che trunions. I asked jannety and they had no suggestion for an aftermarket rocker arm and suggested i do the trunion upgrade.

Your stock ones with a trunnion will do you right if you staying hydraulic roller.