I want to know how important are upgrading the pushrods when I do my heads and cam, are they worth the money and what if I dont, what kind of damage will I be looking at if I dont.

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/297845-what-happens-if-you-miss-shift-over-rev-hardend-pushrods.html

 

forget about the pushrods. why spend $100 bucks after you've already spent $2-3k on new parts just to replace such a small piece.



replace them. you're already gonna be in there, its cheap insurance, the stock pieces aren't strong enough if you have an M6.

 

There are 2 ways to look at it.

1. If you have harden pushrod they will not been even in an over reve or miss shift and you will in most cases have a bent vavle.
2. Stock pushrods will bend in an over reve and you have a better chance of not having a bent vavel

 

stock pushrods will flex at higher rpms... and I'm assuming that you're going to be shifting at higher than stock rpms with heads and cam upgrades. Also, they'll have more deflection with the heavier pressures of an upgraded valvetrain... I'd get the hardened ones for sure.

 

I kept my stock ones in there, i'd rather bend a pushrod then a valve, or worse, unless like Tranzor said ur spinning the motor much higher than the stock 6k

 

As mentioned before the stock ones will flex under the added pressure from the stiffer springs and higher rpm. This doesn't allow true geometry to happen and you'll get some deflection.

 

The stock ones flex with the stock cam and the stock rev limiter.

 

Upgrading pushrods when adding a larger cam is recommended. You are playing russian roulette with stockers. Just think of it this way. When you do the cam and head(s) install, that is plenty of work. It is nothing compared to trying to find all the pieces of a busted pushrod and other damage that may cause to other parts. It is good insurance to replace them. Here is what Will Handzel says about the pushrods:
Whenever installing a more aggressive camshaft, it's recommended that the stock pushrods be replaced with more robust aftermarket pushrods. The stock pushrods are optimized for light weight and have a tendency to break in hot rod applications. He is the Program manager for GM Performance Parts Division.
You can see by my sig. I definitely put them in. Cheap Cheap insurance, a one time expense. Opps, I see above you used the stockers. You can always replace the rods easily enough. I would do it whenever you can. I did see a geometry issue said above, excellent point. If you want to optimize the hp available from your motor, geometry plays a big part in getting all of it out.
Amen

P.S. Your peak hp is going to be well above 6000rpm. I have my rev limiter set for 7200, and can go safely there, because I upgraded my valvetrain.

 

pay me now or pay me later....get the pushrods