I recently did some valve train work to my 5.3. Bought the BTR .560" valve springs and their V1 trunnion kit. During the installation of the trunnion kit the very first pair I installed did not feel smooth at all. The rotation felt like a zip tie. Closer examination of the trunnion bearing surface showed dinged, pitted and gouged surfaces (see pics below of the brand new trunnions). All of the trunnions were packaged together in one bag and I am most certain that is how the surfaces got damaged was them rubbing and banging against one another during shipping/handling. It was my mistake and I didn't realize at the time of purchase that BTR has a V2 kit that seems to have addressed this issue as it has pressed on hardened bearing surfaces. They really shouldn't even sell the V1 kits anymore at all. Additionally, the actual bearings that come with the V1 kits are china bearings.

This is my first experience with Brian Tooley racing products and their customer service (or lack there of) and I am not impressed at all. I tried to contact their customer service and it took a couple of e-mails for them to actually reply and all I got was to contact the company through which I purchased them.

Putting this out there for two reasons:
1. This being my first experiences with BTR, is all of their other stuff crap too?
2. As a warning to those who may be inclined to purchase the V1 trunnion kit from Brian Tooley racing. Don't do it! I really can't even suggest their V2 kit but it seems that it would be better?







And yes, these are supposed to be brand new trunnions.

 

I seem to recall some sort of business issue with BTR about a year and a half ago but nothing is showing up. I may be wrong though.

I personally cannot say anything negative or positive about BTR as I have never used them for parts before.

 

Where did you buy the trunnion kit from?

I agree you should go through the company that you bought it through. If I were BTR I would tell you the same thing.

 

I don't know if they can and do harden those surfaces, but you can't make marks like that on hardened bearing races. If they are hardened, those marks were made before they were heat treated. If they are not hardened, that explains why so many people show evidence of early wear, the needles actually wearing into the trunnions.

 

It was Texas Speed and there Chinese Headers. https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-speed-559473/

 

1. Not all there stuff is crap, They do have some good stuff that is competitively priced to other retailers and in some case lower. Example Is Texas Speed wont Ship to CA. But I can Purchase from BTR with out issue. The house brand pushrods are the same as what TSP sells but there a few bucks less.
2. Most if not all those type of bearing kits Suck and are over seas junk. I think only 1 company actually uses a quality bearing for this but i have never tried it. I only use the CHE brand kit. It's the only kit I have not seen any issue with.

 

CHE bushing trunions are all I use now. Had several problems with the comp, btr and summit "trunion upgrade". Started spending the extra on the CHE and no more issues.

 

No this was something I heard off of the boards. It was around the time I was speccing cams for the Impala. About June 2021 based on my emails.

A cam guru I know out of Houston had told me that he quit using BTR because of their quality. He said that something had happened with their money or business and they had took a dive. If I can find the email pertaining that conversation specifically or else it is just heresay. It is a guy I trust so I believe him for sure.

 

I purchased them from michiganmotorsports. I don't see how this is their problem as they are just the vendor but BTR seems to feel the same as you. I have talked with michiganmotorsports and they offer for me to send my rockers with these installed to them for them to replace and install. This is my daily and I can not do without while that scenario transpires. Additionally, I do not trust the quality of the v1 kit and would be completely unaware if they were to have re-installed the same crappy trunnions. I have offered to buy the V2 kit and return the V1 to them when I get them swapped out for (hopefully) some form of refund. We will see how that pans out.

 

Because they are the vendor. If you bought a pair of beat up Nike’s unknowingly from Amazon would you email Nike or just go back to Amazon?

Vendors could be very well selling fake parts etc.
This is the risk you take when buying third party.