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Old 06-13-2014, 02:00 PM
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Default Push Rods

Has anyone ever used Titanium Push Rods? Is it logical? Pro's and Con's

Last edited by inspector747; 06-13-2014 at 02:22 PM.
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Old 06-13-2014, 05:56 PM
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Big money. But titanium valve trains are where its at. Lighter and stiffer. Everything you want in your valve train.

Edit: but the rpm in a boat its not worth the price. I really wouldnt say its worth it until closer to 8000 rpm.

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Old 06-18-2014, 02:37 PM
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Titanium = not worth it. No benefit here. The stiffness (as measured by elastic modulus) is between steel and aluminum, as is the weight. What you would ideally want is something with a higher specific modulus, which is the ratio of modulus to density. Aluminum metal matrix composite has been tested by NASCAR teams before, and shows promise, but that's even more expensive than Ti.

Recommendation: stick to steel pushrods with as large an OD as possible, and focus on reducing the weight of your valvetrain on the valve side of the rocker arm. My first stop would be beehive springs. They should be good up to 6500 RPM in most cases, if spec'ed correctly.
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Old 06-20-2014, 04:18 PM
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Trend Performance. The authority in push rods. Done.
http://trendperform.com/
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Old 06-20-2014, 10:13 PM
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Bad idea unless you plan on replacing them all the time.
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Old 06-21-2014, 05:15 AM
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In recent years the emphasis has become valvetrain stiffness as apposed to thinner and lighter components.

Light is obviously better but not when valvetrain stability is sacrificed.

Steel rocker arms and heavy wall pushrods will make more power than thin wall pushrods and aluminum arms due to stability.

As has already been stated, titanium is great for all out racing where strict maintanence intervals are observed and where every last advantage is needed, regardless of cost.
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Old 06-21-2014, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by vintage chromoly
In recent years the emphasis has become valvetrain stiffness as apposed to thinner and lighter components.
Light is obviously better but not when valvetrain stability is sacrificed.
Steel rocker arms and heavy wall pushrods will make more power than thin wall pushrods and aluminum arms due to stability.
As has already been stated, titanium is great for all out racing where strict maintanence intervals are observed and where every last advantage is needed, regardless of cost.
Well put. If you truly wish to improve your valvetrain in the push rod area, give them a call. Given your current valvetrain, they may suggest a specific design/construction that is NOT in their catalog/website. That is what I purchased from them. BTW. The suggestion to contact them was from Bob Madera aka RM Builder.
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Old 06-21-2014, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by vintage chromoly
In recent years the emphasis has become valvetrain stiffness as apposed to thinner and lighter components.

Light is obviously better but not when valvetrain stability is sacrificed.

Steel rocker arms and heavy wall pushrods will make more power than thin wall pushrods and aluminum arms due to stability.

As has already been stated, titanium is great for all out racing where strict maintanence intervals are observed and where every last advantage is needed, regardless of cost.
I agree with everything except steel rockers arms "making more hp". I would like to see this proven. It's like companies claiming 15-20hp using their rocker arms.... Find that hard to believe. Now reduced oil temps and increased stability, sure.

I'm not calling you out or attacking you, just find the notion that a steel rocker arm equals more HP a bit of a tall claim that isn't backed up by certifiable data.
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Old 06-21-2014, 01:20 PM
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The steel rocker arms are advantageous from a durability standpoint.
Plenty of aluminum rocker arms fail. Never seen a broken crower steel rocker arm.

That said, anytime you take flex out of a valvetrain, you gain stability, reliability and power. Steel rocker arms help stabilize the valvetrain.

I'm not claiming you will see mega horsepower from a steel rocker arm.
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Old 06-21-2014, 02:10 PM
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Yes, but any HP (I never claimed you stated "mega" hp) is highly unlikely, and if not documented IMO didn't happen. Mercury Marine validated Scorpion marine endurance rockers arms with a pretty brutal test. This is one of the reasons they now use them (aluminum design). I completely concur with the stability claim
as this is well documented.

As you probably realize metallurgy is a complex and very interesting topic. However, just because it's steel doesn't make it superior 100% of the time. Quite a few variables regarding grade of the steel, stress relieving treatment processing etc..

It would be interesting to see an article on the topic regarding high end rocker arms aluminum vs steel. I am just not a fan of frivolous advertising language and the snake oil claims that are often made, not validated.

Last edited by Borgie; 06-21-2014 at 02:20 PM.
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