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Stock rockers with a trunnion upgrade vs full aftermarket rockers?

For budget builds, Jeff Smith's view is that the factory LS roller rockers are very good, and even high-mileage ones can be refreshed with a roller-bearing trunnion upgrade instead of buying aftermarket rockers.

  • Summit's kit includes 16 steel trunnions, 32 enclosed roller bearings and 32 clips; converted individual rockers are also sold.
  • There are three LS rocker types: no-offset cathedral-port rockers (Gen III/IV), offset-intake rockers for LS3 rectangle-port heads (both 1.7:1), and 1.8:1 LS7 rockers. The kit fits all three.
  • After installing, check lifter preload: with the lifter on its base circle, zero lash to seated should take about one full turn of the rocker bolt (about 0.050 in preload). Torque the rocker bolts to 22 ft-lb.

We don't have a source comparing trunnion-upgraded rockers against aftermarket rockers on the dyno.

Confidence: medium — sources disagree or are limited; check the sources below.

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Sources
  1. Get Your Bearings: A Smart LS Roller Bearing Trunnion Upgrade — OnAllCylinders (Summit Racing)