Installing 1.6 roller rocker arms

[firenos]

so im new to the LT's. I want to put roller rocker arms in. cant do a cam for a while so what type of springs and rocker arms would be best and what other parts and is there any special tuning needed. btw its a 97 trans am LT1

[Scoobie]

You could go with the Gen III LS6 springs, Comp 787-16 retainers and 648-16 locks for a stock cam/rocker combo. LE recommends you shim them from 1.800 to 1.750-1.730. You can pick this package up new for about 100.00 with shipping. If you are staying mostly stock, 1.6 ratio full roller rockers 3/8 stud SA (Self Aligning) would be the ticket for shifts at or below 6000 or so. Not sure what it would cost to have the springs shimmed but used 1.6 rockers are for sale all the time under 200.00.

[firenos]

alright man thank you very much also could i maybe use LT4 springs would that be any eaiser to deal with. and do you know bout how much more horsepower this will give me.

[Dynamic396]

Old thread, but nonetheless, I run LS6 springs all the time. They're a better spring than the LT4's, in my opinion... They have the same (or a few lbs more) seat pressure if set up properly and they have a higher spring rate, so you'll have more pressure over the nose than an LT4 spring. Plus, they're beehives, so they're lighter and use a lighter retainer, which aids in valve control.

Definitely set them up a 1.75" installed height. This will give you between 105-110 lbs on the seat and you'll still have way over .600" before coil bind.

[Scoobie]

You can expect approximately 8 RWHP with a 1.6 Rocker/Spring upgrade.

[BoneStock95Z]

Im not buying only 8 rwhp because i picked up from 13.9 with only CAI to 13.4 with my new 1.6rr and lt4 spring combination. And no it wasnt just a driver problem went from 2.09 60' to 2.01 60'.

[firenos]

alright thank you guys so much for your advice and help will help me alot

[KW Baraka]

Originally Posted by BoneStock95Z

Im not buying only 8 rwhp because i picked up from 13.9 with only CAI to 13.4 with my new 1.6rr and lt4 spring combination. And no it wasnt just a driver problem went from 2.09 60' to 2.01 60'.

Believe it on not, the new valve springs may have had a lot......a LOT......to do with that.

Something about valvetrain stability at higher (5500+) RPMs.

KW

[Scoobie]

You don't have to believe me, the dyno doesn't lie. I don't go off of track times. Why? Because the driver mod, the DA, the track conditions, what tires you are running, what gear...too many factors. If every car was 100 percent the same on the same track with the same tires in the same weather. Sure. The dyno has shown time and time again a 5 - 10 RWHP gain with this Mod.

[KW Baraka]

Originally Posted by Scoobie

.......The dyno has shown time and time again a 5 - 10 RWHP gain with this Mod.

Yes.....and typically closer to 10 than to 5.

KW

[BALLSS]

Originally Posted by firenos

alright man thank you very much also could i maybe use LT4 springs would that be any eaiser to deal with. .

I would not use LT4 springs. They were designed for LT4 heads using a lighter valve than LT1. Whatever brand you get the instaled height will be 1.75" because that is stock height. Most aftermarket springs are designed to install at 1.80" so the heads need the spring pockets machined down.

The Crane 10308-1 kit is a plug & play replacement spring at 1.75". Others from Howard springs also. PAC and COMP "bee hive" will work even though they are 1.8" installed height they work with the correct retainer, locator and you can re-use your stock 7 degree locks or get new ones.

replace valve stem seals when swaping springs

[Dynamic396]

LT4 springs are not very aggressive springs. I would look elsewhere for a decent spring. Comp 26918's and 787 retainers, set up at 1.75" will be all the spring you'll likely ever need. If you do want to run them at 1.8", just use a +.050" retainer. No need to machine the spring pockets. The only real reason to run them at 1.8", though, would be if you had a ton of lift and you needed the extra .050" to prevent coil bind.

Many springs are spec'd at 1.8" because they need the extra height to handle a decent amount of lift and still have enough margin against coil bind. If you don't have a pile of lift, you can just run them at 1.75", which will give you a bit more seat pressure and a slight amount more pressure over the nose.

[firenos]

alright so new question the guy i got the ta from said it needs a new oil pump. here is what is going on. the oil pressure stays way past 80 but the low oil light comes on and off. now the car runs and drives great olenty of power and no funny smells or noises. any advice or opionions would help alot.

[shoebox]

Originally Posted by BALLSS

I would not use LT4 springs. They were designed for LT4 heads using a lighter valve than LT1. Whatever brand you get the instaled height will be 1.75" because that is stock height. Most aftermarket springs are designed to install at 1.80" so the heads need the spring pockets machined down.

...

1.78" is stock height spec (if anyone is counting).

[KW Baraka]

Originally Posted by firenos

........any advice or opionions would help alot.

Yeah......start your own thread !

KW