How to find the right Automotive Performance Push Rods AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Automotive Performance Push Rods
- Measured length
- Measure with an adjustable checking pushrod after any cam, head, lifter, rocker or deck change Wrong length shifts rocker contact off the valve tip and changes lifter preload.
- Diameter and wall thickness
- Step up diameter or wall thickness as spring pressure and rpm rise Pushrod flex at high spring loads causes valvetrain instability and lost lift.
- Hardening for guide plates
- Use hardened pushrods with guide plates or guided rocker designs Soft pushrods wear quickly against guide plates.
- Oiling
- Pick oil-through pushrods if the rockers are oiled through them Solid pushrods cut off rocker oiling on those engines.
- End style
- Match ball or cup ends to the lifter seat and rocker adjuster Mismatched ends wear rapidly or don't seat.
Brands that matter
- COMP Cams: Hi-Tech and Magnum pushrods in many lengths and diameters.
- Manley: Chromoly race pushrods.
- Smith Brothers: Custom-length pushrods made to measured spec.
- Trend Performance: Heavy-wall and tapered race pushrods.
- Trick Flow: Pushrods matched to their own heads and kits.
What to avoid
- Reusing stock-length pushrods after changing cam base circle, heads or rockers
- Non-hardened pushrods with guide plates
- Solid pushrods on engines that oil rockers through them
- Thin-wall pushrods with high-pressure race springs
Questions
How do I know my pushrod length is right?
Set the correct lifter preload with a checking pushrod, then confirm the rocker tip sweeps a narrow pattern centered on the valve tip.