Recently hydrolocked my LSVTEC. A few pictures of the carnage:




Specs were:
obd0 b16 head
Blox B cams
Skunk 2 valvetrain
B18A1 LS block bored to 81.75
ACL bearings
Shot peened LS rods
RS Machine pistons 81.75 PR3 style w/ Hastings rings
GSR girdle
Blox b series block guard

I'm rebuilding with a near identical setup (head and pistons were still good) but am wondering if I should balance the crank and if the block guard is really necessary. I was revving (and making power) to 8700 with my previous setup no problems with an unbalanced crank. Also, while the block guard never caused me any cooling problems I ended up bending my old one in my attempt to remove it from the block. Is it really necessary for this setup? I was reading about block "pinning" and am going to ask my machine shop about that option tomorrow as well.

Should I run a block guard?
Should I balance the rotating assembly?
Curious as to what people with similar setups are doing.

 

im doing a non vtec ls b18a1. im wondering if i need my crank balanced too? ls rods arp bolts p30 pistons. had crank micro polished too n rods reconditioned hope not i heard they come prefect from honda