More specifically, for a B18B1 "LS" head. Does anyone know if these even exist? After mocking up the head that'll be going into my next build, I realized that two rocker arms are missing. I could just buy two stock replacements and go with it, but I'm going to be dropping about $9k into this motor when it's all done (and that's just the parts ), so a couple hundred extra for better-than-OEM rocker arms is a drop in the bucket.

 

Bump. I know it's a stupid question, but someone has to know something about it. I can't find anything in Buddy Club, Brian Crower, or Crower Cams' parts catalog, but I know they aren't the only companies that make valve train components.

 

Ferrea roller rockers but I think they are only available for vtec heads.

 

Ah, completely forgot about Ferrea. Just checked their product catalog, and nothing for the LS head from them either. Guess I'll just use OEM then, unless someone else has an idea.

I honestly don't even know how they could be improved on, but I'm no mechanical engineer.

 

Well besides material and design the only real benefit would be with rocker arm ratio, which would equate to more valve lift.

 

What would material and design (other than the ratio) really affect, though? They weigh like balanced units, so lighter or heavier material wouldn't really accomplish anything, unlike valves, springs, and retainers. Lighter material would counteract the faster movement in the "return stroke", and heavier material would be slower to move, but would continue reciprocating faster because of the mass. At least, that's what my half of an aero engineering degree tells me. Rocker arm ratio is unimportant in my case, since i'll be running custom grinds.

Damnit, I'm totally over thinking this. Any engineers in the house who'd like to commiserate in over thinking with me?

 

Well it's an alloy so it's lighter and stronger than steel. Also the cam lobe rolls over the pad instead of "sliding" over it. It would induce less wear and be more durable especially with high lift - high rpms and stiff valve springs.

Rocker ratio is 1.5 or say 1.8. you get more lift with a higher ratio rocker arm. Multiply lift x ratio. So .2 in cam lift x 1.5 = .3 in valve lift .2 x 1.8 = .36

 

Yeah, I know they're made of an alloy for strength and durability, and the roller pad looks almost like bearing material. I'm more talking about the weight of the arm itself. There's a perfect balance somewhere, but I don't have the time or hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment to find it. Since performance rocker arms don't seem to exist, I guess it's a moot point though. I'd be curious to see the rocker arms out of a high performance Honda motor (like one of their actual race cars) just to see how it's made, but that would do nothing other than sate my curiosity.

B18B1 stock rocker arms are a 1.74 ratio. Yeah, I've been doing a lot of learning and reading about them. Unless I find a better option, I'm just going to do a shitload of math when the time comes, and get a custom grind. Maybe I'll just skip the math...there are plenty of engineers out there that are paid to do that **** for me.

 

On second thought, maybe this would fit better in the all motor forum. If a mod agrees, could someone move it for me? Thanks.

 

I think you'd be good with OEM rockers and some VTEC KILLERS depending on what your doing.

TI-86 FTMFW! LOL

 

My build is going to be non-vtec, so vtec killer cams are a moot point That's why I'm starting with an LS head. Yes, the flow sucks initially, but it's getting a FULL port job with flow mapping, oversized valves, and a whole bunch of other goodies, so what it does stock means nothing to me. Like I said, this build is going to run me in the five digits. The street tune is going to run like a whipped dog, and the track tune...well, lets just say it won't be seeing much amateur race time Street tune is going to be aiming for the 300whp mark which will be easily attained, and the track tune...well, the sky's the limit. Or maybe it's traction. Time will tell.

 

Oh I got confused for a min. I thought the VTEC KILLERS were a non-vtec 2 lobe profile but I remember them being for vtec motors. Duh.

That's cool. I want to build a non-vtec cammed out high comp motor for my friend. Basically stock block n head with valve train and cams - high comp pistons and some rods. Just for fun. I was planning on using a stg 2Crower cam.

Looks like your going all out with yours.

 

300whp n/a? not happening.

 

Lightweight rockers are a big thing for SOHC motors because the factory rocker weight usually ends up being a limiting factory in spinning it fast. The springs have to push the big heavy rockers back and they're way heavier then retainers which people change to titanium anyway. Luckily the Honda SOHC stuff is still pretty light so you can spin them like crazy. I'm still trying to figure out how fast I can spin the D16z6 on the stock valvetrain (cam, springs, everything) given a blueprinted lower end.

 

I'll keep the smartassery to a minimum. No where in this thread is anyone talking about induction, bottom ends, or anything but the minutiae valve train work. You'll get the full details when I'm ready to post them. I know the limitations of a motor, and what's required to make power. I'm not your average forum goer.

Where can you get lightweight rockers for the Ds? If I crunch enough numbers, I might be able to make those work as an alternative.