Harland Sharp Roller Rockers

**Siciliano15** · 11-26-2008, 09:44 AM

anyone know if a 1998 trans am ls1 can accept the 1.8 harland sharp non-adjust roller rockers? do i need different valve springs or valve covers or anything? stock ratio is 1.7 i believe so these should prob give a good 10-15 rear wheel hp right? my car has 52,000 miles on it.

**side2000** · 11-26-2008, 10:23 AM

i'd do some stiffer springs and some new pushrods, stock ls1 springs are real beat and are susceptible to valve float. you should pick up 10-20 wheel with some added rpm...added rpm is prob best part about it. i've seen dyno graphs with rev kit-only installed and they produced nice power gains up to 6300. definately worth it if you dont intend on getting your stick swapped anytime soon. with this, a good flowin exhaust, and a nice tune you will be surprised at how well your car can perform in stock trim.

**Siciliano15** · 11-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by side2000

i'd do some stiffer springs and some new pushrods, stock ls1 springs are real beat and are susceptible to valve float. you should pick up 10-20 wheel with some added rpm...added rpm is prob best part about it. i've seen dyno graphs with rev kit-only installed and they produced nice power gains up to 6300. definately worth it if you dont intend on getting your stick swapped anytime soon. with this, a good flowin exhaust, and a nice tune you will be surprised at how well your car can perform in stock trim.

is it a hard job to install new springs?

**hemimag** · 11-26-2008, 12:19 PM

I would go with some hardened push rods to

**hemimag** · 11-26-2008, 12:24 PM

Springs are easier to do with the heads off
Crane cams makes a spring remover for ls1's
If the heads are still on the motor
you need a compressor with a hose adapter to
keep the valve from dropping

**Bottesini** · 11-26-2008, 12:24 PM

Personally, I would stay away from 1.8 rockers. Instead, I would do a cam. The main reasons being that you can get the exact type of change you want, and you won't be limited later if you do decide to put in a cam.

It is more work, but with both it is a good idea for the springs anyways, and you will see bigger gains from the cam only with the price for parts remaining rather close (though with a cam swap I would also get a LS2 timing chain, and LS6 ported oil pump).

**hemimag** · 11-26-2008, 12:48 PM

I agree

**side2000** · 11-26-2008, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Siciliano15

is it a hard job to install new springs?

it'd be an easy job if the cowl wasn't in the way. it gets ridiculous tryin to get the spring removal tool in there underneath the cowl, but you can get the tool to do it. slp and everyone else who claims to be ls1 oriented sells them. while i support your effort to get the rockers, for not much more a cam swap will be much more powerful (like others have said). i figured since you were askin' you already pondered a cam swap.--you can also do a cam swap easily. . .it's not hard to work on an ls1.

**9t8z28** · 11-27-2008, 07:10 PM

go with this spring compressor. I have used it on 4 different occasions and it has worked flawlessly.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=921

**9t8z28** · 11-27-2008, 07:12 PM

Make sure both valves are closed when installing each set of rockers or you can break the rocker or the pedestal.

**Siciliano15** · 11-29-2008, 07:15 AM

ok cool thanks for all of the help guys. might hold off for now. didnt think id have to change springs for just a roller rocker install. they must make the stock springs pretty weak.