Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How important are pushrods??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
viper9403's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Belton, Tx
Default How important are pushrods??

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.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:23 PM
  #2  
RahuL's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
Default

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/297845-what-happens-if-you-miss-shift-over-rev-hardend-pushrods.html
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:27 PM
  #3  
cyphur's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Default

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.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:40 PM
  #4  
goober35's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
From: St Clairsville, Oh
Default

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
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 12:35 AM
  #5  
Tranzor's Avatar
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,954
Likes: 1
From: Kent WA
Default

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.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 12:58 AM
  #6  
'Trust''s Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,972
Likes: 4
From: Eternity
Default

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
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 01:29 AM
  #7  
luv2spd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
From: Newton, KS
Default

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.
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Mar 30, 2005 | 04:10 AM
  #8  
DONAIMIAN's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
From: NW Houston, TX
Default

The stock ones flex with the stock cam and the stock rev limiter.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 06:44 AM
  #9  
zo6vetteman2003's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Middleboro Ma.
Default

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.
Originally Posted by Tranzor_Z28
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.
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.

Last edited by zo6vetteman2003; Mar 30, 2005 at 07:06 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2005 | 07:05 AM
  #10  
Z06 Steve's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Albany,N.Y.
Default

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




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:35 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE