been searching for about an hour now, most results are oem vs. acl.

well im using oem rod bearings currently, 1 red and 3 pinks which is as thin as they get. this is getting me right about .0015. i want to be closer to .002, or at least .0017-.0019 optimally. i really dont need to change much, but i dont feel like putting this engine back together with tolerances too tight and running into an issue mid summer. what are my best options?


quick engine background - sleeved 84.5x89mm gsr with oem ls crank. 10:1 compression using cp's and eagle rods. power output will be 425-525 8900 rpm rev limit and it will likely see around 5000 miles + track and dyno time this year

 

Take the rods to a machinist, and have him hone the rod ends out to get the clearance you want

 

 

Ehh, id rather avoid that if I can. The block is already assembled with great compression and low leakdown ( around 3500miles). I took it out to replace a few leaking valveseals and the rod bearings had some wear so I wanted to replace them.

The acl race seem to offer too much extra clearance but the std size not enough. Any companies offer something in between ?

 

Get the crank journals polished and see where you are then. It shouldn't cost much...

 

I think the OP is looking for more options in bearings , so to avoid a complete teardown. Are the rods new and are they ment to be honed to size?

 

Sorry your right, i missed that hint. I think his only option will be the ACL HX series bearings. Can someone else please confirm that they'd be worth trying ?

 

Not 100% sure on the thickness of acl race bearings but i do know they allow more clearence than their standard duraglides. maybe someone will be nice and measure the thickness or have a spec sheet on them and you can match that up to what you have to see if they will spec out for you. I checked ACl website and they dont give an actual bearing thickness but they give you other specs so you might have to get out a dial bore gauge and see what your working with on the rods.

they make a bearing with exctar oil clearence according to their site an X at the end of the part number denotes added clearence.

http://www.aclperformance.com.au/us/...Bearingsus.htm

 

Yea I spent time online last night before I made this post looking for acl or other brand actual bearing thickness so I could match them up to oem specs to see if it would be worth it. Again im really looking to see if there are other bearing options to allow me to keep the pistons in and avoid re honing/re ringing

 

honestly its on the tighter side of the spectrum but its not a bad clearence. My block is putting out 400whp and all my clearences are that tight. After running them th top coat of the acl's wore in but thats nto damage its a break in coating and i now have more bearing clearence. Are you running duraglides or race acls?

 

What clearance does an acl race std put you at?

 

Just to make sure, you do know there are different ACL race bearings too. H and HX if I remember right

 

Agreed im sure you will gain a few thousands during break in period. I think youll be fine...i was in the .0016 range as well...im sure there up to .0018 after the first few heat cycles. I use 10W-30. What weight oil do u plan on running?

 

I use 10w 40 in the summer and some 5w 30 in the winter. I do take the car out on weekends if the temp is above freezing and ther isn't a lot of salt on the roads.

Next time im in the garage ill plastigauge the ones that I took out and see if they have more clearance. They were around. 0016-.0017 when I put them in

 

I would be happy with those clearances to be honest.

 

Didn't you respond to my thread only a week ago about this exact same issue?????

ACL RACE HX.

 

lol most likely. i havent been sleeping much this week so im walking around with my head up my ***.

ok, i did go back and check your thread. .0580 for the acl race is consistent with acl stating that they have .001 additional clearance compared to oem green, which are . 0590


Rod bearing thickness by color
Blue 1.510-1.507 mm 0.0594”- 0.0593”
Black 1.507-1.504 mm 0.0593”- 0.0592”
Brown 1.504-1.501 mm 0.0592”- 0.0591”
Green 1.501-1.498 mm 0.0591”- 0.0590”
Yellow 1.498-1.495 mm 0.0590”- 0.0589”
Pink 1.495-1.492 mm 0.0589”- 0.0587”
Red 1.492-1.489 mm 0.0587”- 0.0586”

now that said. if i go from pinks and reds (average .0587) down to the acl race .0580 i should have an additional .0007 added on to my current .0015 adding up to .0022. anyone run that large on an engine that sees a fair amount of street use?

 

not on a street engine, but My race motor was .00225 on the rods, no issues. still had great oil pressure

 

I would be running a much thicker weight oil on anything above .002

 

For rods I think thats great. Im targeting .0020 on my current build right now.
Buy em and try em or get the rods honed out.

 

definately considering picking up a set to see how it looks. in the big picture they really arent that much money.

what about other bearing brands (king, clevite...)

 

If your clearances are too tight with pinks and oem crank the rods are clearly too tight. The correct solution is to hone the rods IMO.

 

Honestly I think it is the crank more than the rods. I've been using these rods for a while now and with my other crank it spec'd out with yellow bearings. Inicked that crank taking the engine apart like a year ago and put in another oem ls crank. I just picked up a set of acl race from no limit for like 55 bucks. Should be here mid week ill toss them in and see what tolerance I get. Rough calculations say it should be at just about. 0020 to. 0022 which is just barely out of spec for oem vtec service limit

 

Was acl the only option to go with?
What about king and clevite like you said earleir? Did u find them cheaper or just decided with acl?

 

Acl's were a little cheaper and easier to source. I also found it easier to find information about them online. Im not sure they will fit perfectly but for 60 bucks its worth a try. Id like to get this engine back in and re dyno'd with my new cams and exhaust housing. Im buying a truck with my tax return and want to make it to spring nats in late april