Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too?
Now that the car is finally running good after solving the missing problem, I am finally getting around to having the 1.6 roller rockers and springs installed (the GM Hot Cam kit minus the cam). One of the shops I talked to mentioned that I should also install hardened push rods as long as I was doing the other work. I know that these would be needed for non-self aligning rockers where guide plates are needed but I did not think I needed these for my application (95 LT-1). The mechanic said the benefit of hardened rods was less rod flex.
This guy is into serious racing so I understand where he is coming from. However, I do not race and, in general, drive the car pretty mildly--certainly not hard to cause flexing of the rods. Nevertheless, I assume pushrods would be inexpensive but does anyone have a part number for rods that would be an improvement over the stock rods?
This guy is into serious racing so I understand where he is coming from. However, I do not race and, in general, drive the car pretty mildly--certainly not hard to cause flexing of the rods. Nevertheless, I assume pushrods would be inexpensive but does anyone have a part number for rods that would be an improvement over the stock rods?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (DougSilver)
When installing 1.6RRs you will possibly want seat pressure to be a little higher than stock so a shim pack could be useful.
Most important would be a good set of machined locks (keepers); you can get these and pushrods from Comp Cams direct.
Use a little light assenbly lube on the ends of the pushrods and on the valve stem tips too (available from Comp Cams).
Most important would be a good set of machined locks (keepers); you can get these and pushrods from Comp Cams direct.
Use a little light assenbly lube on the ends of the pushrods and on the valve stem tips too (available from Comp Cams).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (65Z01)
The kit from GM includes the roller rockers, springs, shims, locks, etc. There is no mention about needing to replace the push rods. I found there are some push rod sets available from GM Performance Parts but am not sure which set would be the one I would need. Again, I realize that new push rods would only cost about $20 to $30 but was wondering if I can just stay with the stock push rods. There is no end to what can be upgraded and improved but I don't want to be un-necessarily wasting money.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (STL94LT1)
That's what I suspected and wanted to confirm! Car will still be a basic daily driver so there will be little stress on the new components.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (DougSilver)
$40 will buy you some comp cams entry line hardened pushrods, i'm actually using those rods in my engine that regularly sees 6800-6900rpm. it's $40, you might as well, i think they are something like $35.95 from summit plus the $6-7 shipping. also i take your post to say your using hotcam springs, and 1.6 rrs on a stock cam? that should be good for a few hp improvement, let ua know what you think.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (gtsyellow)
I was originally going to do just the 1.6 roller rockers as I believe others have said the stock springs should work okay for moderate use. However, I got a good deal on a new-in-box hot cam kit (minus the cam) that included the heavier springs. Figured I might as well do it right and get those installed also. Believe it or not, these parts have been sitting in my garage for about a year, along with shorty headers I bought a while ago. Finally getting around to getting this stuff installed but trying to keep it "quiet" from the wife--if you know what I mean ;)
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (DougSilver)
Well I've managed to bend a comp cams hardened pushrod, so I can only say that too much is never enough. I think I bent it by over tightening the rocker arm, but I bent it just the same. These were 3 piece rods. I upgraded to a set of Trick Flow single piece Chromemoly pushrods, they run about $80.
Are they absolutely required? Nope, but it's one less thing to worry about. I don't NEED huge double valve springs, titanium retainers, 10 degree locks, and comp cams pro mag lifters either. My car is a daily driver and sees a lot of easy use, one occasion though I open it up and let it run, I don't want to have to worry about anything when I do that.
Overkill, it's great for peace of mind. You've got to ask yourself if you think it's worth it. Personally I think it would be well worth it while you were into it, but that's just me. :cheers:
Are they absolutely required? Nope, but it's one less thing to worry about. I don't NEED huge double valve springs, titanium retainers, 10 degree locks, and comp cams pro mag lifters either. My car is a daily driver and sees a lot of easy use, one occasion though I open it up and let it run, I don't want to have to worry about anything when I do that.
Overkill, it's great for peace of mind. You've got to ask yourself if you think it's worth it. Personally I think it would be well worth it while you were into it, but that's just me. :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (Nathan Plemons)
nate brought up a great point, the only reason i have a dampended 986 dual spring on my heads for the lift i'm running is #1 i have a fast angle cam & #2 i'm rpm happy with my right foot, my engine builder knew this & basically forced them down my throat. now i'm glad he did as i don't have to worry about snapping a hotcam spring at high rpms. as cheap as the 3pc comp pushrods are & the fact they are a good upgrade over stock makes them a good buy in my book. if i ever break one of mine, just like nate i'm buying the $80 trick flows, they are probably the best bang for the buck right now for a high end pushrod.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (Nathan Plemons)
Do you happen to know if the pushrods that were used in the LT-4 were upgraded from those in the LT-1? I didn't know there were so many variations of pushrods (3-piece versus single-piece?). The GM performance parts site had a few variations of pushrods also but I was confused as to what I might need.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Roller Rocker and Spring Upgrade--pushrods too? (DougSilver)
I can't prove it one way or another but I would guess that LT4's used the same pushrods. They are basically an LT1 with different heads and intake. There are a few differences but I've never heard of pushrods being one of them.
