Comp Cams Trunion Upgrade Failure - Is There an Alternative? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SNSSTR · 07-23-2015, 08:07 AM

Well, as some may know, my engine got toasted because of (what I thought) was a lifter that came apart. That may be true, but I believe I finally found the original cause...

A rocker seized up because of the Comp Cams Trunion Upgrade. The upgrade has about 18k miles on it and is about 1-1/2 years old. On closer inspection of each of the rockers, I found that on one rocker, the c-clip had broken in half on one side and the bearing seized/came apart on the other side. Another rocker was missing a clip completely, and finally on a third rocker, the bearing started coming apart and probably lost a roller or two. I have verified that all the bearings were pressed in correctly, with lettering facing outwards.

My thought is, with that seized up rocker, it forced the lifter to remain down, which caused it to ride into the side of the lifter bore and eventually come apart resulting in a loss of oil pressure. All the metal shavings in my oil were the roller pins from the failed bearing, from the lifter bore, and from the lifter body itself.

So my main question is, what alternatives are there to the comp cams trunion upgrade?

Pics:

#1 - Seized rocker and comp bearing that completely failed/came apart

#2 - Other side of seized rocker with failed comp bearing - c clip broken in half

#3 - Other failed comp bearing, side wall came apart, missing some roller pins

vroomapunk · 07-23-2015, 09:35 AM

I had a comp trunnion failure as well, but I believe that the stock rocker would have also failed if I had them in instead. I believe my dead lifter was related to too high spring pressure for my application.

I have since gone with the Brian Tooley trunnion kit, but when I got it, there is honestly very little difference between it and the comp kit. All of my rockers were irregularly worn. My exhaust valve tips were beat up. I had one bad lifter, and another that was a little worn. One really bad cam lobe.

I don't even thing the broken rocker was on the same valve as the dead lifter. Cant remember.

If this one breaks, I don't know what to do.

LSX Camaro · 07-23-2015, 09:58 AM

Check out www.cheprecision.com They take the stock rocker arms and install bushings instead of bearings. This eliminates any slop or movement found with bearings.

Unreal · 07-23-2015, 10:00 AM

CHE or BTR. BTR is basically comp with nicer snap rings.

Or just run stock.

SNSSTR · 07-23-2015, 10:20 AM

I actually just put in the order for some BTR's. Read a thread on LS1Tech that convinced me. Brian was talking about his trunion design, materials, sourcing, and sold me on them. Crossing my fingers for better luck this time!

I decided against CHE because I'm not 100% sure I want to put a bushing in there...it seems like a bronze bushing would have excessive wear in 2 spots, the top and bottom...The only advantage would be that there are no needle bearings to get into the engine.

Unreal · 07-23-2015, 10:43 AM

CHE is top notch stuff. Never seen an issue with them. Besides the cost, they are the best "upgrade" to a stock rocker.

avido · 07-23-2015, 02:58 PM

Oh good Lord this 3d is scaring me

Bodywerks · 07-23-2015, 09:49 PM

3d?

bionick · 07-23-2015, 09:52 PM

Im using BTR

Bo White · 07-23-2015, 10:50 PM

Im sticking with stock.

SrtWtF · 07-23-2015, 10:51 PM

Stay with stock Unless big cam revving really high.

Bodywerks · 07-24-2015, 01:20 AM

.654 intake lift @ ~465lbs open pressure, I think I'll go with CHE. Then again, I'd be approaching Yella terra or Harland Sharp territory. Might have to read up on them as well...it's only money!

Quote:

I decided against CHE because I'm not 100% sure I want to put a bushing in there...it seems like a bronze bushing would have excessive wear in 2 spots, the top and bottom...The only advantage would be that there are no needle bearings to get into the engine.

Bronze has self-lubricating properties and is quite wear resistant. There is more advantage to them than no needle bearings to worry about, like 300% greater contact area with the trunnion to improve load spread.

bionick · 07-24-2015, 09:33 AM

Just curious why people are against doing this upgrade? I mean it's only $120 and you are already there anyway and it's also a straight forward install if you have the proper tools.

Unreal · 07-24-2015, 09:49 AM

Because it is $120 for what could be a more unreliable setup. I've seen more comp trunions fail than stock rockers. So why spend $120 for something that maybe worse than stock. People just assume because it is aftermarket it is better.

07-23-2015, 10:00 AM	#4
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	CHE or BTR. BTR is basically comp with nicer snap rings. Or just run stock. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

07-23-2015, 10:20 AM	#5
SNSSTR All About That Speed Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Memphis Posts: 1,181	I actually just put in the order for some BTR's. Read a thread on LS1Tech that convinced me. Brian was talking about his trunion design, materials, sourcing, and sold me on them. Crossing my fingers for better luck this time! I decided against CHE because I'm not 100% sure I want to put a bushing in there...it seems like a bronze bushing would have excessive wear in 2 spots, the top and bottom...The only advantage would be that there are no needle bearings to get into the engine. __________________ 2010 SS M6 \| 416 CI \| H/C/I \| GPI TUNED \| SNSSTR

07-23-2015, 10:43 AM	#6
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	CHE is top notch stuff. Never seen an issue with them. Besides the cost, they are the best "upgrade" to a stock rocker. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

07-23-2015, 09:49 PM	#8
Bodywerks Drives: 2015 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Tucson Posts: 866	3d? __________________ 2015 SS/RS/1LE HSA delete, VMAX throttle body, CAI inc. Intake, PRC255 heads, BTR 660 springs, BTR cryo-treated rockers, PAT G 232/240 .654/.626 110+2, johnson 2110's, Manton 502 pushrods, C5R, Melling high volume/high pressure, Powerbond 25% underdrive pulley, Proform covers, Kooks stepped headers, catless mids, Doug Thorley exhaust. 512rwhp, 446rwtq on a mustang dyno, tuned by Cunningham motorsports.

07-23-2015, 09:52 PM	#9
bionick Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 931 View My Garage	Im using BTR __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 416 LS3 \| FED stage 2 heads

07-23-2015, 08:07 AM	#1
SNSSTR All About That Speed Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Memphis Posts: 1,181	Comp Cams Trunion Upgrade Failure - Is There an Alternative? Well, as some may know, my engine got toasted because of (what I thought) was a lifter that came apart. That may be true, but I believe I finally found the original cause... A rocker seized up because of the Comp Cams Trunion Upgrade. The upgrade has about 18k miles on it and is about 1-1/2 years old. On closer inspection of each of the rockers, I found that on one rocker, the c-clip had broken in half on one side and the bearing seized/came apart on the other side. Another rocker was missing a clip completely, and finally on a third rocker, the bearing started coming apart and probably lost a roller or two. I have verified that all the bearings were pressed in correctly, with lettering facing outwards. My thought is, with that seized up rocker, it forced the lifter to remain down, which caused it to ride into the side of the lifter bore and eventually come apart resulting in a loss of oil pressure. All the metal shavings in my oil were the roller pins from the failed bearing, from the lifter bore, and from the lifter body itself. So my main question is, what alternatives are there to the comp cams trunion upgrade? Pics: #1 - Seized rocker and comp bearing that completely failed/came apart #2 - Other side of seized rocker with failed comp bearing - c clip broken in half #3 - Other failed comp bearing, side wall came apart, missing some roller pins __________________ 2010 SS M6 \| 416 CI \| H/C/I \| GPI TUNED \| SNSSTR

07-23-2015, 09:35 AM	#2
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	I had a comp trunnion failure as well, but I believe that the stock rocker would have also failed if I had them in instead. I believe my dead lifter was related to too high spring pressure for my application. I have since gone with the Brian Tooley trunnion kit, but when I got it, there is honestly very little difference between it and the comp kit. All of my rockers were irregularly worn. My exhaust valve tips were beat up. I had one bad lifter, and another that was a little worn. One really bad cam lobe. I don't even thing the broken rocker was on the same valve as the dead lifter. Cant remember. If this one breaks, I don't know what to do. __________________

07-23-2015, 09:58 AM	#3
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Check out www.cheprecision.com They take the stock rocker arms and install bushings instead of bearings. This eliminates any slop or movement found with bearings. __________________ 2010 2SSRS A6, Custom Pat G. Cam, WCCH Cylinder Heads, Kooks Headers/Exhaust, BTR Valvetrain, Fluidampr 25% UDP, All Engine ARP bolts, Flex-a-lite radiator/Trans cooler, Yank converter, PFADT Suspension, ADM Race Intake/Scoop, Torq tow hook, CFD auto shifter, Dynojet AFR gauge, Aeroforce scan gauge, Brake Performance rotors/pads Prothane bushings, ZL1 wheels, spoiler, Z/28 wickerbill, 1LE Aero/Suspension Package, Anderson Composites COPO Carbon Fiber Hood, LED lighting, Elite Catch Can, Improved Racing oil pan baffle, crank scraper, windage tray 480 RWHP 452 RWTQ + Nitrous Express 150 Shot

07-23-2015, 02:58 PM	#7
avido Drives: camaro ss\rs Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Italia Posts: 755	Oh good Lord this 3d is scaring me

07-23-2015, 10:50 PM	#10
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,090	Im sticking with stock.

07-23-2015, 10:51 PM	#11
SrtWtF Drives: Nsrt & Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Miami Posts: 294	Stay with stock Unless big cam revving really high.

07-24-2015, 09:33 AM	#13
bionick Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 931 View My Garage	Just curious why people are against doing this upgrade? I mean it's only $120 and you are already there anyway and it's also a straight forward install if you have the proper tools. __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 416 LS3 \| FED stage 2 heads

07-24-2015, 09:49 AM	#14
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	Because it is $120 for what could be a more unreliable setup. I've seen more comp trunions fail than stock rockers. So why spend $120 for something that maybe worse than stock. People just assume because it is aftermarket it is better. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp