Pushrod Upgrade
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Pushrod Upgrade
I trying to get anyone's thoughts on the Comp Cams "Magnum" series 7608 pushrod as an upgrade for any one that's not gone "the full Monte" on upgrades. I'm considering some mild upgrades in the valvetrain area and have been looking at these pushrods, as well as springs, etc. Since these are 5/16" O.D. with an .080 wall thickness, can these be used without changing the guideplates? As I understand it, if I change to a 3/8" pushrod, I would have to change guide plates too, right?
Feedback and/or recommendations welcomed. Thanks.
Feedback and/or recommendations welcomed. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: Bossier city, Louisiana
For what it's worth, I had the 7955s and 918 springs installed when I did the cam in my sig. Other than a slight "sewing maching" sound, they have done fine. I've run it to a little over 6500 with no problems. Since my car doesn't have the stronger rod bolts the later ls1's do, I don't rev much past 6200-6300.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by Iron Maiden Fan
For what it's worth, I had the 7955s and 918 springs installed when I did the cam in my sig. Other than a slight "sewing maching" sound, they have done fine. I've run it to a little over 6500 with no problems. Since my car doesn't have the stronger rod bolts the later ls1's do, I don't rev much past 6200-6300.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just checked. The 7955's are the "High Tech" series that are 5/16" O.D. but are 7.40" long vs the 7.20" for the 7608's. Thanks.
Anyone else using the 7608's or have any thoughts?
Anyone else using the 7608's or have any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Save your money, your stock pushrods are fine and more than adequate. Of all the engines ive built over the years and including the one in my current 02 Z06, ive never had a problem with the stock pushrods, especially for a street car. Usually the only time you will have pushrods bend or break is if you have valve to piston clearance problems and even then sometimes its more beneficial to have stock pushrods because they can act as a fuse and they will bend or break before something more serious or costly breaks. As for valve springs, again your stock springs are fine unless you are changing your cam. Then use the springs that are recommended for that cam. I currently have the Comp Cams 918 springs which are matched for my cam, which is in my sig.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thanks Phil, I appreciate the insight. What started all this for me was more a case of thinking about replacing the valve stem seals. I'm not smoking or anything, but with almost 110K on the car and probably a couple of more years before I drop some serious cash on her (retirement can be fun 
), it's a fairly easy thing to do. Of course the valve springs have to come off to replace the seals, so I thought about maybe slipping a set of 915 springs and new retainers in while I was there. More of a reliability/preventative maintenance issue than anything else.
Robert
), it's a fairly easy thing to do. Of course the valve springs have to come off to replace the seals, so I thought about maybe slipping a set of 915 springs and new retainers in while I was there. More of a reliability/preventative maintenance issue than anything else. Robert
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Ok. I would definiltey keep your stock pushrods but another option on valve springs might be the stock LS6 Z06 springs. They are substantially stiffer than LS1 springs. You can put the palm of your hand on the LS1 springs in the head and push them open very easily but when you do the same with a LS6 spring, its much harder. The service manuals have the pressure details on the springs. Hold on, I will go check it out real quick.
Ok, the pressures are as follows:
LS1 closed: 76 lbs
LS1 open: 220 lbs
LS6 closed: 90 lbs
LS6 open: 294 lbs
Ok, the pressures are as follows:
LS1 closed: 76 lbs
LS1 open: 220 lbs
LS6 closed: 90 lbs
LS6 open: 294 lbs
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like the stock pushrods it is then. On the subject of the Z06 springs, actually I had thought of that too but just haven't checked into any price differences between Z06 vs. 915's. Sometimes the price of the GM parts, even with the good discounts we get from Fictner, Beans, etc, still may possibly wind up being higher than a good aftermarket part with a good price. PerformanceDepot.Com has the 915's for $169.99. I'll give Bob at Fichtner a call tomorrow to see about the Z06 springs.
Robert
Robert
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Cape Coral FL
Ok, I'll throw this into the mix. Stock spring seat pressure + stock pushrods will be fine. If you go to a heavy spring like a 918 you should put hardend pushrods in. The stock pushrods will bend easier with higher (~50% more) seat pressure. If you are going to stay stock I would do as Av8ter suggested and install a set of Z06 Blue stripe springs. They are good to .570" lift and will hold up for 100k miles. They will run fine with most mild cams also, as long as you don't get crazy with the ramp and lift. You can change to them now and keep them after you do a cam upgrade, when you retire 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by ArKay99
Ok, I'll throw this into the mix. Stock spring seat pressure + stock pushrods will be fine. If you go to a heavy spring like a 918 you should put hardend pushrods in. The stock pushrods will bend easier with higher (~50% more) seat pressure. If you are going to stay stock I would do as Av8ter suggested and install a set of Z06 Blue stripe springs. They are good to .570" lift and will hold up for 100k miles. They will run fine with most mild cams also, as long as you don't get crazy with the ramp and lift. You can change to them now and keep them after you do a cam upgrade, when you retire
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
Sounds like a good option. Are the "blues" used on the 02-04 Z06's? Are they year specific?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Ive got a set of TSP hardened PRs going in when I swap out my cam. The cam is a 224/228 @ 581/588 so I had to upgrade springs too. Went with the Patriot Gold dual springs so I feel better about upgrading the PRs with the added seat pressure. The stock PRs are still in there with the higher pressure springs until the cam goes in.
