Rocker Assembly

I procured a new set of EMPI HI-PERFORMANCE 1.25 RATIO ROCKER assemblies. They fit, but can I and is it wise to use them on the SP 1600 that I'm rebuilding? It's being rebuilt stock. Better performance? Just better parts over stock? No way in hell? Advice please.

You can use them although you will have to get shorter push rods i do believe. I have read that there is not enough noticeable difference with the 1.25's to go through the hassle of the install but that the higher ratio rockers are easier on the valve train than a high lift cam. Just a thought...

You can use them no problem. You should be able to use the stock length pusrods no problem. You'll know as soon as you put them on if you are going to need to change pushrods. The rockers will give you a little more power but not enought to notice probably. They are stronger and more dependable than stock rockers though. So if you have them I would use them

Those assemblies look almost identical to all the other rocker assemblies out there (scat, latest rage, bug pack, etc.). they are definately a higher perfoemance option then normal 1.25 rockers. they have solid shafts, and the adjustment on the pushrod side. and if they are the same as the others, then you will need shorter pushrods. i opted for a set of cut to length chromoly pushrods, because with those, you set the gap to loose 0. so it makes valve adjustments a breeze, lol. also be sure to set up the valve geometry correct. at half lift the adjusters should be perpendicular to the arm, and the same for the valve to pad. also the pad should hit the valve directly in the middle of the valve, and not to far back or forward. i love this pic, it explains it perfectly:



this pic shows stock arms, with swivel foot porsche adjusters, but the concept is the same. this is what your half lift should look like.

with those, you will also have to change the studs in the heads as well. the new ones are a little longer. very easy to do. took me like 30 seconds, lol. just double nut them out, a dab of red locktite. its a good idea to let the loctite to dry, as if you don't they will turn as you tighten them, as they usually come with lock nuts.

sometimes you need either rocker shims or lash caps, but in my case, i haven't had to use either.