is this a common problem with our engines? i've read quite a few posts with people with broken or bent pushrods... if so.. should i get the hardened ones? just curious.

 

People who miss shifts and drop it to a very low gear at high speeds can over rev their motors and bend pushrods. The rev limiter will cut off spark, but you can't stop the motor physically from turning too fast when you miss a shift at say 80 or 100 mph and put it in 1st or 2nd.

 

stock pushrods are fine for stock use. The reason mine broke is because I had the rev limiter raised when I got a few other things done to the computer because I planned on installing a cam in the next month. Well stuff hapened and I didn't have the money for a cam. Then I over-revved the motor breaking my pushrod.

Just don't do anything dumb like leave the rev limiter raised with stock pushrods or downshift at the wrong time and you'll be ok.

 

A 5-2 downshift with locking rear bent six of mine, better to bend the pushrods than a valve, the above action is better known as operator error !!

 

I wouldnt worry about til u have to...been a some what common problem for ls1's since the induction of the engine in 97, usually caused by inexperienced manual drivers

 

Within 14 hours of getting my car I bent a push rod. Inexperience definately was the number one factor there. Yet almost everyone makes mistakes in shifting. (I hope my uninstalled pro 5.0 would diminish most chances of operator shifting error, but not all chances of course.)

I am still curious as to the answer of your question as well. If a push rod breaks or becomes bent, is it better to replace it with a hardened one?

 

no, would be my answer, if the pushrod does not bend what will the valve ie. bucks, of course I had bent ones and what did I put in TR chromemolys go figure.

 

Think about it for a second. If the pushrod does not bend, what will?

I would much rather bend some cheap pushrods then dent some pistons, twist some valves, or the likes of that.


I'd say stick with the stock pushrods or the appropriate sized pushrods. Hardened aren't the best choice for this option imo.

 

I agree completely. Unless your planning massive internal work (large cam, heads and maybe some N20 sprayed on top of that) I would not even consider anything but the stock pushrods. It's just not worth the time and $$ IMHO if your gonna stay a stock or bolt-on LS1.

Good Luck