ssbandit158

iTrader: (3)

I need some 7.3 pushrods for my 2001 ls1 and Im having trouble finding any kind of reviews. Anyone have any reccomendations? I want a strong hardened set that will fit through the factory 317 head holes. Thanks in advance.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Strength and stiffness are two different things. Most are 5/16" OD with an 0.080" wall. You will likely never fail this pushrod. However, you will very likely flex it. If you want less flex you need a larger OD or a tapered pushrod.

G Engines

You should call Smith Brothers they can make you a 5/16 .120 wall push rod and you can gain up to 12 hp just from having a stiffer push rod. The stiffer push rod has less deflection and keeps the cam profile much better. Smith Brothers is @ www.pushrods.net

Nick 2K2 SS

iTrader: (2)

I'm curious about the .120 wall push rods. With the thicker wall how much more does each push rod weigh when compared to the .080" wall pushrod? My first thought was the increased valve train weight might hurt the power output and valve train stability. I'll have to do a little more research on this now!

cws T/A

iTrader: (3)

No you want more weight (strength) over the lifters and least amount weight over the valves (factory rockers are light).
If the pushrod deflects then it can lead to lifter lofting off the camshaft lobe maybe causing damage to the lifters/cam lobes.

Nascar engines use extremely strong pushrods for stability.

Do a search for Spintron testing and larger diameter/thicker walled (3/8" dia. , .110"+ wall) pushrods on the net.
I found some good testing results on this posted a while back in various testing on the Ford NMRA engine combinations.

G Engines

I know that the .120 wall push rods do add more weight to your valve train and too much valve train weight will hurt your output in an engine that turns very high rpm. I haven't seen one of these engines run to 9600 rpm they seam to run out of power under 7000. So the gain in cam profile over comes the added weight.

PREDATOR-Z

I would have to dissagree with you on that one, the weight increase is not over the valve tip where weight affects output (effective moving mass).
The stability of the valvetrain would be more beneficial.
Go to (U-Tube) and look at some spintron vids they have on the effects of pushrod flex, you'll be interested in what actualy happens.

Good p-rods, my first choice would be Manton.

G Engines

The gain in cam profile comes from the added stability from the thicker push rod. Manton does make a good pushrod. If i was to build an 800 cuib motor i wouldn't use a .500 triple taper steel pushrod i would use an alum. pushrod for less weight. I have seen a spintron first hand parts look like rubber at rpm

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I just ordered a set of Trend double taper 3/8-5/16 CNC machined pushrods on Friday. They will be in my hand in about 1-1/2 weeks. This design change nets a 100% increase in buckling load.

69LT1Bird

iTrader: (1)

1x of the Trend brand,these are used by a lot of race teams and run about $7.70 each.

One piece chrome moly.

JFM-jr

iTrader: (23)

As Vettenuts is well aware you gain more strength increasing pushrod Diameter than you do with wall thickness. a 3/8 pushrod with a wall thickness of .055 will be stronger than a 5/16 .120 wall thickness. Load spreading is the benefit of the larger diameter. I personally went with a set of 11/32 .118 pushrods from Manton and they clear my GM 5.3 heads without issue. I was told that a 3/8 pushrod was used in a C6 LS3 by a local shop as well tho I can not confirm that personally.

ssbandit158

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for all the info guys, I didn't realize how much pushrods actually affect hp and valvetrain stability, my hp goal is between 500-550 at the wheels, I think the most cost effective would be a set of hardened trickflows. I'm not shooting for a 1000whp or anything, although my next build I probably will

SweetS10V8

iTrader: (4)

Does Trickflow sell them in thicker wall? Or just .080" wall?

I have Comp Cams 5/16" (.105" wall) myself. If I could fit 3/8" Id be all over it.

Ive seen it pick up 15hp before on a 500hp LS1 by ONLY swapping .080 wall 5/16" to .080 wall 3/8" pushrods. The engine had aftermarket casting heads with room for the 3/8" pushrods.

ssbandit158

iTrader: (3)

I got mine in the stock size since I have stick size rod holes, but a website that's "the top of a mountain" sells trick flow in 5/16 and 3/8 in .080

SweetS10V8

iTrader: (4)

So after everyone saying "make sure you get a thick wall" you went with the standard .080" wall?

Gh0st

iTrader: (3)

+1 for Smith brothers

JFM-jr

iTrader: (23)

How about 11/32? Thats right in the middle of the stock 5/16 and 3/8 and fits a GM casting.

VerdeZ28

Could you guys post links to all those pushrods u mentioned? thanks

ssbandit158

iTrader: (3)

Well I posted this and was already online looking for a set of 7.3 pushrods and no one responded for a long while, so when I finally found a set of 7.3 pushrods I got them, then after the fact people started replying saying get the thicker wall and such. So I may just return them and talk to the smith brothers, no biggie.

G Engines

www.pushrods.net