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- Episode 11
Do Roller Rocker Arms Add Horsepower?
Engine Masters - S2 - E11
One of the most common valvetrain upgrades for pushrod-style engines is roller rocker arms, which are often said to increase horsepower through reducing friction. But is it true? You’ll find out on this episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL, as we use a 7,000-rpm, small-block Chevy to test stock-type stamped-steel rockers, roller-tip rockers, full rollers, and full rollers with a ratio of 1.6:1 rather than the stock 1.5:1. We’ll reveal the facts and myths around the horsepower claims and discuss other things you need to consider before purchasing any rocker arms for performance engines of any kind.
Engine Masters: Season 2 - 11 Episode s
2x1 - Camshaft Specs Explained
February 27, 2017
Ever wonder what those camshaft specification numbers really mean and how they affect engine performance? This episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL is here to help, as David Freiburger explains cam lift, duration, love separation angle, and installed centerline. Next, we test a low-rpm cam and a high-rpm cam in the same engine to demonstrate the power differences. Engine Masters is supported by Mr. Gasket and Earl's Vapor Guard hose.
2x2 - Cooling Fan Shoot-Out
March 27, 2017
Usually on this show, we are all about making more horsepower, but on this episode of Engine Masters presented by Amsoil, we are trying to kill horsepower! We bolt four different types of cooling fans onto our 350 small-block Chevy, all with different designs and material. Which one takes the most horsepower, and which one takes the least? Watch and find out!
2x3 - DIY Cylinder Head Porting Gains 92 Horsepower!
April 24, 2017
This episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL reinforces the fact that Steve Dulcich is not just the guy in the back of the dyno room—he’s a legit engine master. And you won’t question that after you see his homegrown porting job on a set of Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads for a small-block Mopar pick up a whopping 92 hp! To be fair, that gain also includes porting work on the Victor Jr. intake manifold by Bryce Mulvey. All this work tops off the same 410ci small-block Mopar from BluePrint Engines that was seen on Engine Masters Episodes 11 and 18. Engine Masters is supported by Mr. Gasket and Earl's Vapor Guard.
2x4 - Straight Exhaust vs. H-Pipe vs. X-Pipe!
May 22, 2017
This episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL delivers the goods many viewers have asked for as we test the power of straight dual exhaust with no crossover pipe versus using an H-pipe versus an X-pipe. Will the old bench-racing stories come true, or is it all hocus-pocus? We find out using a basic 5.3L GM LS3 engine then precisely spell out the effect these exhaust-system modifications have on horsepower and torque. Engine Masters is supported by Mr. Gasket, Earl’s Vapor Guard hose, and now Permatex!
2x5 - Engine Masters meets the Roadkill Rotson Turbo 5.0!
June 19, 2017
This episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL we take the Roadkill Rotsun and find out how much power that bone stock turbo charged 1987 5.0L Mustang engine really makes. With a science experiment of a rig, get ready to be shocked! The numbers don’t lie. Engine Masters is supported by Autometer, Mr. Gasket, Earl’s Vapor Guard, and Permatex!
2x6 - Best Cheap Chevy 350 Mods—Dyno-Proven!
July 17, 2017
On this episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL, we explore an ancient scenario but still one of the most-asked tech questions we are asked: What budget bolt-ons can be used on a stock small-block Chevy 5.7 to get more horsepower? Watch as we take the cheapest Chevy 350 crate engine you can buy and make mods that gain nearly 130 horsepower! It’s a dyno-proven, easy-to-install power combo that will give you the best bang for your buck.
2x7 - Supercharger Tuning and Proven Performance
August 14, 2017
There’s nothing we love more for big torque and visual impact that a good ol’ antiquated roots supercharger! This time on Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, hosts David Freiburger, Steve Dulcich, and Steve Brulé show you how to install and tune a Weiand 6-71 blower and dual 750-cfm double pumpers on a budget 350ci Chevy short-block. Engine Masters is supported by Earl’s Vapor Guard hose, Mr. Gasket, Auto Meter, and Permatex.
2x8 - How Much Boost Can a Stock Engine Take?
September 11, 2017
On this episode of Engine Masters presented by Amsoil, find out if you can stuff 25 psi of boost into a cast-piston, stock-crank short-block and have it live! Watch as we strap a ProCharger centrifugal supercharger to a bone-stock Chevy 350 bottom end and keep stepping up the boost to find the breaking point. But there’s a hitch: At the start, we agreed we’d let the engine live if it could make 750 hp and survive. So did we leave parts on the floor, or did we make stupid power with a foolish combo? We’ll tell you this much now—we did the best we could to show you blow-through boost tuning by keeping the ignition timing and the air/fuel ratio very conservative while also using Rockett Brand 118-octane fuel to prevent detonation. Engine Masters is supported by Mr. Gasket, Earl’s Vapor Guard, Auto Meter, and Permatex.
2x9 - Air Filter Horsepower Shootout!
October 9, 2017
If you’ve ever wanted to know if a car’s high-performance air filter makes a difference, or if your small filter is killing horsepower, you’ve come to the right video! In this episode of Engine Masters, presented by AMSOIL, we test a whopping 19 different combinations of filter sizes and styles including paper elements, K&N filters, stock housings, dual-snorkle housings, velocity stacks, filtered lids, and way more—all the way up to some shocking results with tablewear! Our test engine is a 750-horsepower, 496ci big-block Chevy, but the data we gathered is relevant for any engine down to about 300 horsepower. Engine Masters is supported by Mr. Gasket, Earl’s Vapor Guard Hose, Permatex, and Auto Meter.
2x10 - Cylinder Head Games–How Big Is Too Big?
November 6, 2017
We test the long-standing internet theory that too big of an intake port kills bottom-end torque. Watch us take the mildest of 408 Ford small-blocks and try to make the torque curve dance.
2x11 - Do Roller Rocker Arms Add Horsepower?
December 4, 2017
One of the most common valvetrain upgrades for pushrod-style engines is roller rocker arms, which are often said to increase horsepower through reducing friction. But is it true? You’ll find out on this episode of Engine Masters presented by AMSOIL, as we use a 7,000-rpm, small-block Chevy to test stock-type stamped-steel rockers, roller-tip rockers, full rollers, and full rollers with a ratio of 1.6:1 rather than the stock 1.5:1. We’ll reveal the facts and myths around the horsepower claims and discuss other things you need to consider before purchasing any rocker arms for performance engines of any kind.