Couple quick valvetrain questions
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Couple quick valvetrain questions 1) Can you use your stock locks and retainers with aftermarket valve springs?
2) Can you just run 'hardened' pushrods with guideplates or do they need to be 'chromemoly'?
I'm asking this because I'm putting together a list of stuff to buy because I'm gonna be doing a cam swap through the winter.
I've already got Pro-Mag NSA 1.6 roller rockers, GM guideplates, and Comp 7/16" rocker studs here and ready to go. I've got my eye on a few AI cams but I haven't chosen one yet.
From what I understand I'll still need to buy pushrods, lifters, springs, possibly locks & retainers, and all the assorted gaskets and seals to do the job.
Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys.
2) Can you just run 'hardened' pushrods with guideplates or do they need to be 'chromemoly'?
I'm asking this because I'm putting together a list of stuff to buy because I'm gonna be doing a cam swap through the winter.
I've already got Pro-Mag NSA 1.6 roller rockers, GM guideplates, and Comp 7/16" rocker studs here and ready to go. I've got my eye on a few AI cams but I haven't chosen one yet.
From what I understand I'll still need to buy pushrods, lifters, springs, possibly locks & retainers, and all the assorted gaskets and seals to do the job.
Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys.
1) Can you use your stock locks and retainers with aftermarket valve springs?
2) Can you just run 'hardened' pushrods with guideplates or do they need to be 'chromemoly'?
I'm asking this because I'm putting together a list of stuff to buy because I'm gonna be doing a cam swap through the winter.
I've already got Pro-Mag NSA 1.6 roller rockers, GM guideplates, and Comp 7/16" rocker studs here and ready to go. I've got my eye on a few AI cams but I haven't chosen one yet.
From what I understand I'll still need to buy pushrods, lifters, springs, possibly locks & retainers, and all the assorted gaskets and seals to do the job.
Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys.
2) Can you just run 'hardened' pushrods with guideplates or do they need to be 'chromemoly'?
I'm asking this because I'm putting together a list of stuff to buy because I'm gonna be doing a cam swap through the winter.
I've already got Pro-Mag NSA 1.6 roller rockers, GM guideplates, and Comp 7/16" rocker studs here and ready to go. I've got my eye on a few AI cams but I haven't chosen one yet.
From what I understand I'll still need to buy pushrods, lifters, springs, possibly locks & retainers, and all the assorted gaskets and seals to do the job.
Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys.
2.) Hardened is fine - there is no absolute need for chromoly.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Cool, thanks for the info.
Any particular brand you or anyone else would recommend?
I originally was thinking about the Comp 918's but I've read a few threads with lots of complaints of them breaking at random.
Any particular brand you or anyone else would recommend?
I originally was thinking about the Comp 918's but I've read a few threads with lots of complaints of them breaking at random.
I'm doing the same thing tryin to put together parts list. You dont have to go with my setup but give you a idea of what im looking at doing.
$550 ---------Patriot Extreme spring kit
$37.18 -------ARP 7/16 rocker arm stud
$324.95 ------Ultra Pro Magnum 1.6
$25.95 -------trick flow guideplate
$86.95 -------trick flow chromemoly pushrods
$129.95 ------LS7 lifter
$395 ---------Ai Cam
Total price $1,549.98
$550 ---------Patriot Extreme spring kit
$37.18 -------ARP 7/16 rocker arm stud
$324.95 ------Ultra Pro Magnum 1.6
$25.95 -------trick flow guideplate
$86.95 -------trick flow chromemoly pushrods
$129.95 ------LS7 lifter
$395 ---------Ai Cam
Total price $1,549.98
I definitely don't disagree with you, but for a mild cam-only setup there is no absolute need. It won't hurt to run the chromoly rods either. If the OP can afford it then chromoly is the way to go, but at his power level there's nothing wrong with running a standard hardened pushrod.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
For the most part.
The pushrod side of the rockers is not as important as saving weight on the spring side. The only real upgrade on the pushrod side is a stiffer pushrod everything else cost big money.
The pushrod side of the rockers is not as important as saving weight on the spring side. The only real upgrade on the pushrod side is a stiffer pushrod everything else cost big money.
Last edited by fex77k; Oct 13, 2010 at 09:00 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Thanks for the input everyone, I think I've got my list 95% together. Probably gonna just stick with hardened pushrods instead of chromemoly. I don't think I'm gonna go much farther than doing a cam swap with this motor, atleast not for a long time.
GM LS7 lifters sound good, and I found a good deal at thunderracing.com on the Patriot valvespring kit.
Just have one stupid question: what's the difference between locks and retainers? Im guessing the retainers are the round disc-like things that the spring sits on and the locks are what hold the retainers in place on the valvestem?
Don't worry guys, I'll have some good help with me while I do this swap lol. I can change an LT1 clutch with my eyes closed but have simply never had to touch the valvetrain or cam yet, let alone even take the valve covers off.
GM LS7 lifters sound good, and I found a good deal at thunderracing.com on the Patriot valvespring kit.
Just have one stupid question: what's the difference between locks and retainers? Im guessing the retainers are the round disc-like things that the spring sits on and the locks are what hold the retainers in place on the valvestem?
Don't worry guys, I'll have some good help with me while I do this swap lol. I can change an LT1 clutch with my eyes closed but have simply never had to touch the valvetrain or cam yet, let alone even take the valve covers off.
Thanks for the input everyone, I think I've got my list 95% together. Probably gonna just stick with hardened pushrods instead of chromemoly. I don't think I'm gonna go much farther than doing a cam swap with this motor, atleast not for a long time.
GM LS7 lifters sound good, and I found a good deal at thunderracing.com on the Patriot valvespring kit.
Just have one stupid question: what's the difference between locks and retainers? Im guessing the retainers are the round disc-like things that the spring sits on and the locks are what hold the retainers in place on the valvestem?
Don't worry guys, I'll have some good help with me while I do this swap lol. I can change an LT1 clutch with my eyes closed but have simply never had to touch the valvetrain or cam yet, let alone even take the valve covers off.
GM LS7 lifters sound good, and I found a good deal at thunderracing.com on the Patriot valvespring kit.
Just have one stupid question: what's the difference between locks and retainers? Im guessing the retainers are the round disc-like things that the spring sits on and the locks are what hold the retainers in place on the valvestem?
Don't worry guys, I'll have some good help with me while I do this swap lol. I can change an LT1 clutch with my eyes closed but have simply never had to touch the valvetrain or cam yet, let alone even take the valve covers off.
Lock
Retainer
Spring
Spring Seat
The lock locks the retainer to the valve stem.
Isnt chromoly know for being lighter weight and just as strong if not stronger than steel???????
Its still mass that has to be moved back and forth in position to do its job...and if its just as strong and lighter wouldnt it in turn do its job easier
I'm doing the same thing tryin to put together parts list. You dont have to go with my setup but give you a idea of what im looking at doing.
$550 ---------Patriot Extreme spring kit
$37.18 -------ARP 7/16 rocker arm stud
$324.95 ------Ultra Pro Magnum 1.6
$25.95 -------trick flow guideplate
$86.95 -------trick flow chromemoly pushrods
$129.95 ------LS7 lifter
$395 ---------Ai Cam
Total price $1,549.98
$550 ---------Patriot Extreme spring kit
$37.18 -------ARP 7/16 rocker arm stud
$324.95 ------Ultra Pro Magnum 1.6
$25.95 -------trick flow guideplate
$86.95 -------trick flow chromemoly pushrods
$129.95 ------LS7 lifter
$395 ---------Ai Cam
Total price $1,549.98
Good list though.
Seriously... are you saying "no it dosent" and that chromoly isnt lighter weight?
Isnt chromoly know for being lighter weight and just as strong if not stronger than steel???????
Its still mass that has to be moved back and forth in position to do its job...and if its just as strong and lighter wouldnt it in turn do its job easier
Isnt chromoly know for being lighter weight and just as strong if not stronger than steel???????
Its still mass that has to be moved back and forth in position to do its job...and if its just as strong and lighter wouldnt it in turn do its job easier
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
chromoly does in fact have a higher tensile strength than steel....however volume wise it is almost identical in weight to mild steel......the reason chromoly pieces are lighter is because they use less material (thinner) to build the same product with the same strength vs mild steel.....
chromoly does in fact have a higher tensile strength than steel....however volume wise it is almost identical in weight to mild steel......the reason chromoly pieces are lighter is because they use less material (thinner) to build the same product with the same strength vs mild steel.....
