Hans Grüber

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes Ti pushrods for the LSx?

This seems like a good place to reduce mass in the valvetrain but I can't find much info on the availability of these.

SUTTERERMAN85

iTrader: (42)

dont know of anyone. if they are/will be expenseive. wonder how much lighter they would be over the normal hardened? ti is still kinda heavy though, wonder how much it would really be worth?

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

most likely special order, try smith bothers in oregon
http://www.pushrods.net/
oil hole list net
NT34A NA TI 3/8 X .042 BALL/CUP & BALL NO 65.00 43.55
NT34B NA TI 3/8 X .042 BALL/CUP & BALL YES 68.00 45.56

So they do make them,. not sure what applicaiton those fit but you can have them custom make what you want I'm sure. Probably around 65/piece $1000 for 16 or there abouts

Hans Grüber

iTrader: (2)

The weight reduction to a comparable chromoly pushrod can be as high as 40-45%.

This place seems pretty inexpensive:

http://www.paeco.com/Titanium%20Products.htm

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

They dont list sizes. I'd be curious to see if they are offering the same amount of titanium for half the price

Hans Grüber

iTrader: (2)

I emailed both companies asking a bit more info (weight savings etc.), I'll post their reply.

TheBlurLS1

iTrader: (8)

My custom pushrods are from Smith Brothers. Those guys know their ****. The dude talked my ear off about what I needed and what would work best. I bought a set from Crane Cams first and they look like Fischer-Price BS. I could probably bend them by hand. The Smith Brothers are awesome looking.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I would think that a titanium pushrod would need to be at least 3/8" diameter otherwise you are trading weight for a major loss in stiffness since the modulus of the titanium is half of the steel modulus. This would affect both the column bending capability and the compressive capability. It will also lower the bending frequency as well so I would "think" you need to be very careful on section modulus if you go this route.

See5

iTrader: (53)

As above, I doubt Ti is the right material for pushrods. Has lots of great properties but stiffness is not one of them.

Beaflag VonRathburg

iTrader: (176)

Not to mention you'd probably have to have hardened caps for the pushrod ends on the rocker side. They would rub off in no time without them.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Thats why the Smith Brothers have a ball and cup and are 3/8". My guess is that if you get it all correct (valvetrain) you wont have an issue. The ball and cup arent titanium. But $1000+ for pushrods is kind of spendy

Louis

iTrader: (7)

Carbon works

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

carbon fiber pushrod?

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Yes, not sure about a street car though. Properly designed they can be both stiff and light, but they are not very "tough" and won't take certain types of abuse.

Louis

iTrader: (7)

Its a carbon, metal matrix shaft, with bonded steel tips. They will last as long as a steel one.

Expect to spend 1300-1600/set, but if you have valve control issues, and limited by rules and regulations on what you can/cant use, and pushrods are free, they can solve a lot.

Robin L

I tested a metal matrix pushrod as well as a bi metal aluminum inner and moly outer on the spin tron. In our combination I did not see significant improvement. As you know you can change one thing that will effect the entire system.
Our testing saw benifit in increased spring pressure and heavier larger puchrods.
Spend your money on ti valves, retainers, keepers and the heaviest push rods you can fnd.

We ran hydralic roller cams past 8600 RPM with steel valves. 380 on the seat is what it took to keep control of the valve train.

Robin

Hans Grüber

iTrader: (2)

Thats very interesting. So you're saying that there is no advantage to reducing mass on the lifter and pushrod side

I was always under the impression that the problem with high RPM valve control on a pushrod engine vs. OHC was due to the additional mass of the pushrod and lifter.

GMH308

380lbs of seat pressure kept all under control to 8600rpm with solid stem steel valves?

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Pushrod side is moving about 60% of the acceleration/velocity as the valve side so the best place to remove weight is on the valve side. I think what Lou is referring to is a max effort and the valve side is fully optimized, then there are ways to get weight out of the pushrod side as well. This is one area that a beehive spring will help over a dual, lighter retainers and the way the springs compresses reduces valve side mass quite a bit over a dual.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO! 800+ for the intake valves alone. SO lighten it up is what your saying and then run a spring that can control it.

Really the key here is in the valve spring. You just cant buy a spring rated by lift alone. You need to take a few things into account to make the proper selection.