1.9:1 / 1.8:1 Rocker comparison
 

What are the differences between rockers??
ZZP Intense and 3800Performance all offer a 1.9:1 or 1.8:1 rocker
Anyone have any input on any of these products? i understand that 3800Perf. has modified rockers.. are these less reliable???

Also, 3800performance says that their 1.9:1 modified are complete bolt on and for some reason dont tell you that you should be using LS6 valve spring with them....

http://www.intense-racing.com/Mercha...egory_Code=HCV
http://www.3800performance.com/Merch...roduct_Count=1
http://zzperformance.com/products1.php?id=129

The 1.9's will give you a slightly higher lift, yielding a few more HP. Most people go with the 1.9's. I don't know why ZZP only goes up to 1.8. The ZZP and Intense rockers are both the roller type, and should be used with better springs and pushrods.

The 3800 Perm. ones (I-Win's), are modified from the stock rockers. From what I hear they are VERY reliable and can yield pretty much the same power as the full rollers. You should get better springs with these too.

The I-Wins are the cheapest route. I have seriously considered buying them actually.

It is stupid to go with anything less than 1.9's IMO. With 1.9's the valves open faster and more than with any other size. They don't hurt idle quality any noticable amount, they don't cost any more, and your gas mileage with normal driving will actually increase. Why people go with 1.8's I'm not quite sure, but they are the same thing but with only 2/3 the gain. The only advantage I can see is it would be easier to get away with using stock springs with them.

ZZP's rockers only go up to 1.8 because thats all the more they have made so far. When tehy were released (not too long ago) they were only available in 1.7's (for people with smaller cams like VS, Stage 1, S1X, etc..., but since they have added the 1.6 (for people wanting the roller tip with their cams but don't want more lift) and 1.8 ratios, and I'm sure 1.9's will soon follow, they just haven't been released yet.

I-Win rockers are modified stock rockers and reliability is great...they are the same as whats in the car stock so I don't see how they could be unreliable. People don't complain about the quality of stock rockers. All they are is stock rockers with the pushrod hole relocated farther out from the center to raise the lift. They are the same as the old ZZP rockers, which is what we had on the GTP, and being the quickest and most powerful stock cam car they obviously worked pretty good. When we took them out they still looked like new (they only had 15k miles on them though) and we threw them in the Monte and it performs great, it went from 9 to 2kr with the rockers, 41-919 plugs, and a 180 t-stat. We also have them in the SSEi and have for 70k and they are still perfectly fine. They killed all of the 7kr it had when we installed them. I definately think they are awesome rockers, and being cheaper than any of the others I can't see how you could lose! They are definately what I recommend!

Although it isn't required, I highly recommend the use of stronger valve springs with higher ratio rockers. We put the ZZP 1.91's in the GTP with OR pushrods but stock springs and at 15k miles it got valve float at around 6k or so and higher. So we put in what at the time was ZZP's 85lb. valvesprings and no more float. However, we put the I-win 1.9's in the SSEi with 70k on it, and now even with 140k on it, it will rev to the 6200rpm limiter smoothly with no problems, no float at all even with the stock pushrods. So you never know if you're gonna get valve float, but its a good idea to get the stronger springs just so you don't have to worry about the possibility of yours breaking.

Shawn

What would 1.9 rockers with a Supercharger be like?

I heard the sound clip of 1.9's installed on a stock GT. Sounded cool

The same as on a L36 but with larger gains.

I've got 1.9s in my 97 and I love them..... :D

Who is running 1.9s with stock springs? Anyone having problems doing so...? and how do you know if you do have valve float?

the problem comes when you go to get your redline raised. You need a new PCM usually after a rocker install to take the redline up to 6k RPM, since you are making more high end power. You need the springs to keep from getting valve float at this speed.

Besides, springs are cheaper than a new engine.

Rockers make their power high in the rpm band. Raising shift points helps get the most power out of higher ratio rockers. 1.9's and a 6000 rpm shift will usually give an L67 about 30hp and an L36 about 15. The problem comes when you rev higher (up to 6grand) and place a harder load on the stock springs. The stock springs more often then not can not get the valves closed fast enough and valve float occurs. For this reason almost everyone who gets 1.9 rockers gets stronger springs (105lb or LS6 90lb springs).

1.8's are popular because many more people can run 1.8's without having to change the stock springs out for stronger ones. 1.8's will only give you 2/3 the power 1.9's will but some people find it a cheaper easier alternative due to not having to get springs and have them installed.

My Grand Prix 3.8 liter SE has the ZZP 1.8s and makes decent power. Do you think adding 1.9s to my SE Bonnevile would offset the wieght advantage of my Grand Prix SE/GT?