valve train recommendations...
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
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From: New Jersey
valve train recommendations... I have a 1999 Pontiac Trans Am with basic bolt ons, stock internals and I bent 4 pushrods at the track. Car has 52K so, should I just replace all the pushrods? Just changing the pushrods would certainly be cost effective but long term I am considering a cam and headers since I would like to get the car to run 12.0 consistant all motor.
mike
mike
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2004
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I would DEFINETLY do a cam and headers. This has made the biggest difference out of all the money have spent on my car. Don't be afraid to go big. Something like 231-236 or 236/236 and do a big lift around .595. These cams make a HUGE difference is power on the LS1.
I can shift faster than you.
iTrader: (21)
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Do not replace the pushrods with anything other than stock if you plan to reuse your stock valvesprings.
The stock valvesprings leave alot to be desired. I would changing them to either Comp 918s or the Crane 144832 dual springs, especially if you plan on a cam in the near future. Then, a set of 7.400" hardened pushrods would be recommended.
The stock valvesprings leave alot to be desired. I would changing them to either Comp 918s or the Crane 144832 dual springs, especially if you plan on a cam in the near future. Then, a set of 7.400" hardened pushrods would be recommended.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
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From: Akron, OH
If you replace any parts replace them all as a set. the others might have been stressed. depending on how bad you bent them. something else might have gave too. I bent 8 push rods. replaced them all and still had missfires. not sure if i collapsed lifter(s) and/or bent valves. so I changed everything out. might have been overkill, but had to take the heads off anyhow to check valves. from my research, couldn't tell if the lifters were bad unless you replaced everything else, put it back together and find out then. I didnt have the time or money to take it apart again. hence, did everything at once.
also, Since I already have the chromemoly Push rods I used them, but to do it over again. i would have got stock. so they were the weakest link. easier to replace them.
also, Since I already have the chromemoly Push rods I used them, but to do it over again. i would have got stock. so they were the weakest link. easier to replace them.
Last edited by 99 red Z; Apr 11, 2004 at 10:09 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
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From: New Jersey
I got the new oem pushrods in and there are still problems. Started it up the first time after the install and got P0300 Mutiliple random missfire and there is a ticking noise. Am I looking at some serious damage here like bent valves or collapsed lifters?
Unplug the harness going into each banks coil packs. Spin the motor over. If it sounds uneven, then there is a compression loss and you have a problem somewhere. This is a simple way to test compression to see if you have a problem.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: New Jersey
update: the heads are off and I have removed all the valves. I finished late last night so I did not get a chance to check if the valves are bent but there were some crescents on some of the pistons where the valves touched them. What is the best approach to the heads? Should I replace the only valves that are bad or the whole set? I was planning on replacing the lifters with COMPR lifters while everything is appart and also replacing the valve springs with 918s and titanium retainers since next year I am planning on doing a cam like thunders 224/224 112LSA. Can I still use stock pushrods with this setup?
mike
mike
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
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From: New Jersey
ok I ordered the following from texas-speed:
Patriot Dual Spring Kit, Comp OEM lifters , Manley Stainless valves, gaskets and bolt kit. I am going to continue using the OEM pushrods for now since I still have the stock cam this should be ok with my setup? I am going to have the heads just freshened up with valve seats recut and fit with the new valves
mike
Patriot Dual Spring Kit, Comp OEM lifters , Manley Stainless valves, gaskets and bolt kit. I am going to continue using the OEM pushrods for now since I still have the stock cam this should be ok with my setup? I am going to have the heads just freshened up with valve seats recut and fit with the new valves
mike
If you need a good set of stock low mileage pushrods i have a set with 10k mileage. Email me as i'll sell em for less than you'll pay for 2 new ones. Why spend alot when your going to upgrade to H&C in the near future.
