1.6 Rockers - Are they worth it?

[pgackerman]

Sometime this year I need to replace my valve stem seals.  So the question is: What else should I do as long as I'm already inside the engine?

One suggestion is replacing the 1.5 rockers with 1.6 rockers.  Has anyone done this?

What's the change in HP/torque?  I've heard about 3HP, which is about a 2% gain for our 2.8L.
Will there be a performance change?
What's the change in MPG?  I'm not a big fan of visiting the gas station, so this is a concern.
Does the engine sound louder or quieter or smoother?
Would 1.6 rockers put more stress on the engine?  I'm not a big fan of spending time in the repair shop.
Where should I get the rockers?  Fiero store or my local auto supply shop?

Sound off Fierofolks...

[Raydar]

I installed 1.6 rockers on my 3.4, before taking it apart and going through it completely.
You may feel some difference, but it will be marginal. It certainly won't over stress the engine, or hurt anything.
Likewise, any gas mileage change will also be marginal. If you've got ~$130 to throw at it, it certainly won't hurt anything.

I bought the Comp Cams roller tip rockers from Summit. $127 and change.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1414-12/overview/make/chevrolet 

Or, for seven dollars(?!) more, you can get the same rockers and new pushrods.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-rp1414-12/overview/make/chevrolet

If you want to go "full roller", you can pay a lot more money, and go to a lot more trouble.
I think it's a waste of money for most of us. Myself included.

[f85gtron]

I got the1.6 roller tip rockers and the pushrods. The rockers are great, but i think anything other than the stamped metal rockers that flex from the factory is going to feel better. The 1.6 give a throatier exhaust note. Without exhaust and intake work, You may not feel much of a real difference.
I do have a comment about the high energy pushrods though.....
I've managed to wipe two Now and am going back to factory push rods. Don't waste your money on them.

[Raydar]

Interesting that the pushrods failed. I wouldn't have expected that.

Here's a first person account of the improvements that can be realized. Not terribly scientific, but still...
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/138031.html