pushrods
 

I was wondering what pushrods I should go with... 5.3 I got a tick performance turbo cam they recommend hardened push rods how do I find out what pushrods I need way too many choices to guess Lol thanks

http://www.jegs.com/p/COMP-Cams/Comp...53211/10002/-1

Jack

Our house brand push rods are made by Trend and are an excellent choice. I personally like to use a .105" wall 5/16" diameter in this type of application if the customer's budget allows.

The .105" wall push rods are more expensive, but stronger.

What is the weight difference between those and standard 5/16? What's the benefit vs runnning an 11/32 pushrod?

Jack

Thicker pushrods are just stronger.. Don't bend as easy. Just a theory though.. :bomb:

I'm aware. I'm asking why someone would do a thick wall 5/16 instead of the 11/32 PR.

Jack

Check the..
 

rod clearance going thru the head.....

That's an easy fix. I've seen people run 3/8" before.

Jack

Jack,

Push rod weight is something that has never concerned me and if you ask any of the top engine builders that I'm certain Bullseye associates with, they'd tell you the same thing.

Most customers at this level do not wish to spend the added cost on larger diameter push rods so I offer the thicker wall 5/16" at a slightly higher cost and as a better alternative to .080" wall 5/16" push rods.
Again, cost. If the customer is willing to spend the added money for the 11/32" or larger it is always a plus.
Jack,

Again, cost is a factor and a straight tube 3/8" will not clear in most factory casting or even aftermarket casting LS cylinder heads. I've even had some customers have issues with dual tapered 5/16-3/8 diameter push rods.

I agree. I was just curious. Weight is always second to stiffness, but it's not totally unimportant. I worked for Visner Engine Development for years (that's how I met Bill and started at Bullseye) so I'm rather familiar with valvetrain theory.
Perhaps my time at VED makes the thought of epoxying PR tubes into the intake ports a lot less scary to me than to others because I'm so used to pushing the limits of cast heads. I'm the kind of idiot who just spent a few months hacking up a pos pro comp and building my own short runner large plenum intake manifold out of the base of it (just used the flanges and TB snout basically) because I didn't want to buy a FAST (I recommend just buying a FAST).

Thanks for the info Martin

Jack

Jack,

I agree that weight is second to stiffness especially on the lifter side of the valve train. I'd add weight on that side of the valve train any day of the week to gain stiffness. Journal diameter, lifter diameter, push rod diameter(which I always would rather have a larger diameter push rod than a thicker wall) and push rod stiffness are critical to keeping things from flexing in the valve train. The more power the engine makes, the more this becomes a concern. As you most certainly know from working at Visner!

I agree about push rod tubes! There is an Edelbrock casting that a cylinder head shop we use offers. He will add bronze push rod tubes so that up to a 3/4" diameter push rod can be used. I always use the biggest diameter push rod the head can fit and a customer is willing to purchase cost wise.

I would LOVE to see some pictures of that intake manifold you fabricated as it sounds like something right up my alley! LOL

Agreed! If there's no room, make room!

I'm a bad welder. Don't judge me.

There are some in-process pics here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6255259&type=3

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...fd&oe=54AA5573

Jack

That manifold is pretty slick. I agree that running the biggest diameter pushrod is always a good idea. I know my PI heads have the ability to run some pretty thick ones. I may re-evaluate what I'm running soon.

Missed the pictures of the manifold, WOW!

I know. I'm a hack. It's not pretty but it'll work just fine. Unfortunately out of time to get to the track again this year to get some results.

Jack

If that's what you call a hack......

LOL

Well, before the grinder and spray paint it looked pretty bad...

Jack

Jeez, that manifold looks awesome! Do you have any pictures during the process?

There's a photo album link above the photo.

Jack

a bigger diameter pushrod is better than thicker wall from what I hear.