i have been seeing roller rockers everywhere lately and dont exactly understand why they are sooo much better that a standard rocker. i talked to this guy at a flee market and he said that they are AAAAAAmazing and that he'd never build a motor without them. so how do they work and if i got a set what all do i have to get to go with them. like do i need roller lifters and stud girdles. and what would be the best brand or specific models to look at.

 

roller rockers greatly reduce valvetrain wear, and give more horsepower and gas mileage. its smart to buy new valve springs and pusrods, but overall, they will go right in. guideplates may also be needed. what type of lifters you have only has to do with the cam. i dont have true roller rockers, but i do have comp cams stamped steel roller tips, and they have treated me well.

 

Roller rockers increase power by reducing friction, especially at the trunnion pivot. Using the same ratio as stock rockers you will pick up 10-15HP depending how high the engine is revved. If you get roller rockers with a larger ratio than normal, say 1.6:1 instead of the stock 1.5:1 ratio you can get an additional 10-15HP, depending on cam and RPM. Make sure to get good rockers if you plan to use them on the street, as poorly constructed ones are unreliable for day today use. High quality aluminum, or steel is the way to go. If you are going to use solid lifters, or a reground camshaft, make sure the push rod lenghth is apppropriate, as you want to avoid the tip of the rocker to roll right off the top of the valve stem and cause serious damage.

 

many people don't realize this, but sometimes rollers are needed because of a cams lift. a lot of stock stamped rockers have a short slot for the studs. as you rev your engine, this slot does not have enough travel so you will crack (at the minimum) your rockers.

plus rollers come in pretty colors..hahaha