Cam vs. Rockers

[RadRacer]

Pulling the blown motor this weekend, and hoping to get the new one in next weekend. I NEED this car running ASAP, as it was my DD; I'm using my dad's truck ATM, which is supposed to be up for sale (and only getting 13MPG). I still want a cam, and was talking to my dad about it, and he suggested rockers. I never really thought about them before, but after some research, it's up in the air. I had the GT2 cam (still waiting to hear if it's usable) and loved it. Never got it tuned though. I want the power, but don't think I'll have enough time (or money) to get a cam in there before next weekend. Once she's in there, only top stuff is coming off, so no cam will be going in. This is what I'm thinking; save up (my b-day is coming up too :)), use my spare set of heads to put 1.9 RRs, ported, valve job, 90# springs (have the retainers), and then just do a head swap one afternoon. When we did my cam swap, it was a two day process (also did the oil pan), and my dad doesn't think we'll have the time to do it again. My g/f already said she'll buy me a cam for my b-day, but again, the motor will hopefully be in before then; I'm sure she won't mind rockers instead :). Also, I never had mine tuned, and heard that it takes skill to tune a V6 (not the same as a V8 or something), and no one near me has that skill; there are a few V8 tuners who claim they can do it, but haven't done one, but I've been told that the cam will be difficult for them to tune, whereas rockers won't. Which one do you guys think I should go with? I'm thinking milled heads with some porting, valve job, and 1.9's would do wonders on my car.

[blacksport]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

Cam's make power from their duration not their lift. All those rockers do it give you more net lift. And if you decide to put a cam in it later they will probaly be useless.


I have a tune from an 01 with a gt2 cam, I'm not sure if the tables are the same as a 97 but if they are all the tuner would have to do is copy it.

[RadRacer]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

I know. But, it would be more of a sleeper mod, which would be pretty neat. And if I up the compression to 10:1, get a valve job, and have them ported, I'd probably be pushing more power then I was with just the cam.

[99pewterv6]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

It was suggest to me before I did my cam to just keep the stock rockers. With the 1.9 I would see hardly any gain at all to justify the price.
But depending on your cam 1.9 might cause too much lift, not sure though.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

I love my rockers, they were worth every penny.
They are light weight roller tip 1.9 ratio

i made 200 at the wheels with them before the tune

[RadRacer]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

It was suggest to me before I did my cam to just keep the stock rockers. With the 1.9 I would see hardly any gain at all to justify the price.
But depending on your cam 1.9 might cause too much lift, not sure though.

I'm staying stock cam if I go with rockers.

Meaty, your build is the reason I'm even looking into them. I think with the CR upped, heads worked and the rockers, I could have a decent car. I'm mainly looking for something I can bolt right in in a month or so, and a set of heads meet my needs :P

[RadRacer]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

Also, I was reading the specs on a few sites, and some of them mention split ratios. Is that different ratios for the intake/exhaust?

[bigbrian442]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

Also, I was reading the specs on a few sites, and some of them mention split ratios. Is that different ratios for the intake/exhaust?

Yes, that is what split ratio means. The idea is if the intake ports are more efficient then the exhaust, you use a higher ratio rocker on the exhaust to help the exhaust flow more. It's kinda like having a split cam.

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

^ but in our case it's the opposite

[RadRacer]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

OK, sticking with the GT2 cam. :P

[99BlackW68]

Re: Cam vs. Rockers

I vote cam. more power overall, get a set of aluminum 1.6 roller rockers anyway :D and the sound of a cammed car with opened exhaust :drool: