Roller Rockers for the 5.3

lotzafun · July 24, 2004

Have seen some posts that talk about Sharp having Roller Rockers that fit the 5.3 so I did some checking. Info that I get from Sharp is that the LS1 Rockers they sell will fit with no mods if you use the 1:7 ratio set. The 1:8 ratio would require stronger valve springs and maybe pushrods.

My question is this. Lets here from the people out there that are running these or other roller rockers. Have you had any failures? Describe the results you have had with your set of roller rockers. Have seen others try and sway you from using them on the street because if they fail, bad news follows. This is almost true of any mod you make, anything can happen.

So give us some info like, how long have you had them, results at the strip, what brand are you using, and who had the best deal. Thanks for your input.

lotzafun · August 1, 2004

Looks like we have had alot of visitors but no comments left here. Well after asking around about rollers, here are some of the comments that I get. Some say that I should step up and spend the money for a camshaft. Others say that I would only need roller rockers if I intend to drag race it. People have warned me that the needle bearings come apart on these rockers and that it will cause damage to my engine when they do.

So lets get some factual comments up here about experiences with both roller rockers and camshafts. Will they work together? Or is the camshaft the best way to go. Because come on, we all know that trucks need to be run! Thanks.

99Silver6.0 · August 1, 2004

They will work together. Best bet is to get a cam if you want to run more lift. Rockers will change the duration of your stock cam ever so slightly, it will lope just a tad too. If you get a cam with some nice lift and then decide to get some 1.8 or 1.85 rockers, the rockers may hit the heads or the valve covers because of large lift numbers. Plus your gonna want to replace springs, rods, keepers, retainers cause theres gonna be some more spring pressure in there. Harland-Sharp makes a great set of rollers for like $329 bucks. But if I did anything I would only run 1.7 ratio rockers which is equivelant to the stock units. I dont really want anymore lift. But the addition of the rollers will be less drivetrain weight. It all depends on what you want to do an accomplish. Its not gonna be a drastic gain, but it will more than likely rev a bit quicker.

lotzafun · August 2, 2004

Thanks for adding the info, hopefully this will help others. Looks like I am going to go with a cam shaft instead of roller rockers. Just have to break down and prepare for the installation. Thanks again.

99Silver6.0 · August 2, 2004

Cam really is a better choice man. Im glad I went with a bump stick instead of rockers. The cam swap really is simple. How many miles do you have on your truck? Have you found a cam grind that you are going with yet??

lotzafun · August 2, 2004

Thanks for the help, my truck has just over 40K miles on it, just broke in. LOL! Not sure which cam to go with just yet, will have a better idea after I can run it down the drag strip on Aug. 10th. Was suggested to me to talk with Thunder Racing, but they will not return my e-mail. Not impressed with them so far! What is the use of a tech info e-mail if you are not going to answere the letter. Anyway, after I take it down the strip it will help me decide which rear end gear to step up to, as well as what cam I want. Know that I do not want too radical, but a nice lope would be nice. What cam do you have in your truck? Right now my truck has 3.42's in the rear axle.

99Silver6.0 · August 2, 2004

I didnt go to crazy on my cam. I had a few other things in mind besides performance. I went with Comps 212/218 .522/.529 114LSA. It worked out pretty well.

lotzafun · August 3, 2004

Finally heard back from Thunder Racing, they recommended their custom grind, part# 99-214/220-115+2 camshaft. Anyone running this camshaft that could give me some insight would be helpfull. Thanks for all that have participated.

PairOJugs · August 3, 2004

the LS6 cam and springs is one of the best deals that i've found, not to mention a nice high .550 lift with a low duration for good 'truck' power, compared to aftermarket cams.

99Silver6.0 · August 3, 2004

the LS6 cam and springs is one of the best deals that i've found, not to mention a nice high .550 lift with a low duration for good 'truck' power, compared to aftermarket cams.

IMO the LS6 cam isnt a great cam for a truck. Depending on what year you got, the LS6 cams have an ungodly high LSA. Meaning without a higher stall converter low end is really gonna be weak. With a heavy truck you need the low end. If you are looking for performance you dont really wanna take a step backwards on cams. The LM7 has a 114 LSA, you dont wanna jump up to a 117.5LSA. You wont start making power till the upper RPM's with the LS6 cams. Plus its gonna be a really high revver. If you are gonna rev it really high, you should give your valvetrain some attention. Especially the rods! Which year LS6 cam and springs did you get?

PairOJugs · August 4, 2004

i haven't bought yet, but i did see the GM LS6 cam and springs for just under $350, while the comparable crane was almost $700.

99Silver6.0 · August 4, 2004

i haven't bought yet, but i did see the GM LS6 cam and springs for just under $350, while the comparable crane was almost $700.

$700 dollars for what?? Stick with a Comp grind. You can get a Comp grind from quite a few places for $350-400. I got 02 LS6 springs for $80 bucks. Spend a few extra bucks, I bet you will be alot happier!

piratebaseball · August 4, 2004

99Silver5.3,

With the cam that you are running, did you have to make any computer changes or will this cam work with a stock pcm? Also, how is the low end on this cam?

99Silver6.0 · August 4, 2004

99Silver5.3,
With the cam that you are running, did you have to make any computer changes or will this cam work with a stock pcm? Also, how is the low end on this cam?

I have no tuning done yet at all. It runs great as it is. Low end didnt really change. But once 2000 RPM's comes around it starts to rip! The tuning is going to be done within the month. I cant wait to get this thing on the rollers and see what the numbers are.

lotzafun · August 4, 2004

Can you guys recommend what valve springs to step up to? Do most of the cam kits come with new roller lifters? No one has mentioned push rods. Would chrome molly push rods be the way to go? My truck will see the drag strip from time to time, so I do want to keep it from breaking parts. Thanks.