Engine & Power · Buyer's Guide

Pushrods

Pushrods are the metal rods that connect the lifters (bottom of the engine) to the rocker arms (top of the engine), which open the valves. When you install an aftermarket cam with more lift, the stock pushrods may be the wrong length. Incorrect pushrod length causes poor valve timing, reduced performance, and potential engine damage. Hardened chromoly pushrods are also stronger than stock — important for high-RPM applications.

Recommended Picks

A starting point for your build, sorted by budget.

Best ValueMost affordable in this category
Texas Speed 7.400" Hardened Pushrods (HEMI)

Texas Speed

7.400" Hardened Pushrods (HEMI)

$160
Mid-Range PickBalanced price and performance
Comp Cams Hardened Chromoly Pushrod Set (HEMI)

Comp Cams

Hardened Chromoly Pushrod Set (HEMI)

$180

All Pushrods (2)

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4. CAMSHAFT UPGRADES

What the Cam Does

The camshaft controls when and how far the intake/exhaust valves open. An aftermarket cam with more lift and duration lets the engine breathe better at higher RPM, fundamentally changing the power band and sound.

Cam Stages

Stage Profile Idle HP Gain (6.4L) Street Use
Stage 1 Mild (e.g., BTR 220/228) Smooth +30–50 HP Daily driveable
Stage 2 Moderate (lopey) Noticeable lope +50–70 HP Street/weekend
Stage 3 Aggressive Rough/cammy idle +70–100 HP Mostly performance
Stage 4 Race Very rough +100–120+ HP Track only

Required Supporting Parts (The Master Kit)

Every cam swap on an MDS-equipped engine REQUIRES:

  1. Non-MDS Lifters — MDS lifters will fail with an aftermarket cam profile
  2. Valve Springs + Retainers — Stock springs can't handle increased lift
  3. Pushrods (intake + exhaust) — Correct length for new lift specs
  4. VVT Limiter/Lockout — Control Variable Valve Timing with the new cam
  5. MDS Delete Plugs (qty 4) — Seal oil passages from removed MDS system
  6. Custom ECU Tune — Mandatory for idle, fuel, timing tables

MDS Exception

Manual transmission Challengers (Tremec TR-6060) do NOT have MDS. Skip: MDS lifters and MDS delete plugs. Same for 6.1L SRT8.

Key Brands

  • BTR (Brian Tooley Racing): Stage 1–4 cams purpose-built for Gen III HEMI. Very popular in the community. BTR Stage 1 = 220/228 .590/.580 113.5 LSA.
  • Comp Cams: HRT (Hemi Racing Technology) line. Widely available, good support.
  • Texas Speed (TSP): Known for aggressive stages. Complete kits available.
  • 797 Performance: Complete cam kits for 6.4L with everything included — plug-and-play minus the tune.

Sound Impact

A camshaft is arguably the biggest single change to how the car sounds at idle. A Stage 2+ cam gives the classic "potato-potato" HEMI lope that enthusiasts love.

Site UX Recommendations

  • Error-level warning when cam added to build: "A camshaft swap requires a complete master kit. These are the required supporting parts..."
  • Cam builds should auto-add a "You need a tune" warning.
  • Checklist UI for master kit components when cam is selected.
  • Stage filter (1/2/3/4) on cam listings.