ExVtec

With ACL's on national backorder, are the OEM Honda bearings equivalent for high whp setups?

700whp+

I've been hearing mixed opinions, everyone says ACL's, ACL's. Curious on what you big motor guys use and why?

Thanks in advance.

cibao2ner

alot of people use oem vtec bearings for 7-800whp+ but if you want acls go for it...if you shop around you can find them...i know full-throttle in queen ny had them...im using king bearings on an all motor build...but king also makes race bearings and acl race are also easier to find.....btw ive heard nascar teams use oem honda bearings on their engines...and even though they only make left turns they still beat those engines....

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

I always start with ACLs and end up mixing with OEMs for whatever doesnt fall into the green spec just bc they are cheaper and sold as a set. Id have no concerns with OEMs or std ACLs at that power level.

2kdrift

on bisimoto 700 hp build he use stock bearings so i really dont buy into the whole ACL race bearings thing.

ExVtec

Appreciate the advice guys.

Thanks

riceburner700

i prefer oem because you can play with your clearances vs acls are one size

HiProfile

I lucked out that my sohc cam was juuust at the end of acceptable clearances using std ACL's. The crank was micropolished, so there was some slight material removal. The middle main was a little big (.0018" IIRC), but I daily drive it and have had zero issues.

1sicef9

nrgtech put acl bearings in my 800hp motor if that helps you any!!!

ExVtec

lol not really, but thanks for sharing.

Just curious if the big guys making big power still run oem bearings.

sh!ft

why not just go for it and see what happens?

ROMEO856

oem bearings is the way to go...lets you choose the correct size needed to have the precise measurement required .

second will be acl race bearings, they are pretty close to honda oem green bearings and you can slide with that but! something close to perfect and something perfect aint the same ...

ExVtec

lol, you serious?

b18a-hatch

I went with ACL race bearing for my boosted motor, but i would have rather gone with Honda OEM if they weren't 4 times the price.

sh!ft

ya. or build a b/s motor and slap bearings on that on and see what happens as a 2nd result

LightningTeg

Use whatever meets spec. OEM bearings are expensive.

jetspeedz

i use oem bearings and even though they are more expensive it is worth it getting the exact measurements

0KStuned

I always prefer OEM main bearings. Nothing else will work as well to get the correct clearances. ACL's work well if you have the main tunnel line honed since they will all be the same size.

DC4KiD

iTrader: (4)

I've used ACL Race and Kings bearings without any problems.

extralargenog

iTrader: (1)

ACL mains, ALWAYS OEM on the rods

blackeg

i also use oem bearings, though im only making 400 something hp

ExVtec

Well I was sent OEM's for the mains and Clevites for the rod bearings.

extralargenog

iTrader: (1)

Im running ACLs THIS time just becuase I had some lying around. OEM are theway to go, every motor ive taken apart that ive run that ive used oem in looked BRAND NEW when ive pulled them apart, at 650 whp and BEATEN harder than ayone you know beats their car, for 3 years or so.

RedneckRicer

Ive used both and i cannot complain about either one of them. both motors held up great. ACL's didnt have any damage when i shattered a oil pump.

jDMJeRk

The race bearings aren't just a standard bearing. They are not recommended on street motors. Just because its a "race" bearing doesnt mean its going to out preform the standard bearing and fact of the matter is, they wont.

extralargenog

iTrader: (1)

Theyre made from a "stiffer" material, you can visably see the heat treating or whatever the hell they do. Im still a fan of OEM over anything, like I said the only reason Iran them (ACLs) on my mains was I had some and it saved me 100 bux on the build. Eagle actualy states in thr literature that they reccomend using OEM bearings ONLY on their rods... Not syaing that ACLs wont work, but of the people Ive heard spinning bearings WAY more often theyre ACLS... and of those MOST are rod bearings.

I did my math very carefully to get the spec I wanted, and even had to get my brand new rods resized on the big end a few tenths of a thou to get everything perfect, but in my experience that kind of attention to detail is what makes or breaks a hi HP builds reliability.

Moreso than what bearing you may choose to run.