So I finally got around to installing the HS rocker arms and I have to say I'm disappointed so far. It actually seems to have less power now and I'm considering going back to the factory rockers.

This is not the first mod to the truck, here's what I did before ever installing the roller rockers.

2001 3.9l about 75,000 on a rebuild
V8 throttle body
CAI
8mm wires
Hotter coil
Upgraded cap and rotor
E3 plugs
All synthetic lubricants
New pcm, the old one crapped out
SC F4 Flashpaq tuner

Like I said, I'm disappointed and seems to have lost power. I was expecting about the same improvement as the tuner, not huge but noticeable. Any ideas?

I also have a set of headers I was going to install after the roller rockers but as if now it has factory exhaust.

 

Rockers aren't holding some of the valve partially open are they?

 

I don't know, guess I'll have pull the valve covers again to find out which I don't look forward to. It's literally a pain to do because of my back, I'm not able to work for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time without taking a break. Also , I'm literally doing it under a shade tree in my front yard lol.

 

If you have a gauge, just do a compression test, see what the numbers look like.

 

Geuss I'm not thinking, yeah I've got one somewhere I just have to find it,.

 

Its in the garage. (yeah, equivalent to "Somewhere in the Universe"...... )

 

Yeah, If I had a garage. I found the gauge pretty quick but I still haven't checked the compression because l found out these trucks run better when you remember to plug the PCV valve into the hose lol.

It seems to idle a little smoother and run down the road a little smoother if that's possible. The shift points are definitely different, not sure if I'm crazy about that yet.

The whole reason I started making changes was so this thing could manage to get out of it's own way on the highway and hills, we'll see how it does. Now if I can just find a cheap Procharger lol.

 

I am not real familiar with the 6 banger specs, but I would think think that better intake (throttle body, rockers) would necessitate an equal upgrade in the exhaust to see much improvement.

 

I have a set of shorty headers I plan to install soon. After playing around some more with different tunes and stuff I have to say I like it. With the roller rockers installed it seems like you can tell more of a difference between tunes. The rocker arms and the tuner definitely complement each other. I'm wondering what kind of difference the headers will make now.

 

Anything you do to help the engine breath better will be an improvement. Don't neglect the rest of the exhaust though.