im gonna build my ls vtec for a small n/a monster. my setup wil included rods/pistons/arp 3/8 bolts/acl bearing kit/ gsr arp head stud kit. I will rev high as 8700 and thats it. Waht rods u guy think will handle the job, im lookin for like 180-190whp tuned. I will have b16 head w/ ctr cams and supporting valvetrain. Do i really need to polish my crank and balance my bottom end to run that set-up? what rods and pistons do u think will work fine for my set-up?

99 ls block 50-55k
rods?
pistons?

 

stock rods should do fine. Make sure you use ARP bolts though. If you want.. you can shot peen your rods for extra security. You can cryo treat them also, but thats a bit expensive. Not really necessary for only 180 Hp engine.

 

i agree. shotpeen them for stress relief then outfit em with arp bolts, you'd be fine.

 

why not just get a set of eagle rods for around $300.00. not that expensive, but you dont have worry about your rods again.

 

I ask that question becasue i dont wana spend money for rods, when im gonna boost later and have to get rods installed again..thats 2wice the money..........so will eagle rods handle the mild n/a lsvtec ( 10.5:1 - 11.2:1) and the boosted lsvtec?....Which will be no more than 15psi tuned.........then i'll build a block from scratch and run high boost once installed........but im gonna run n/a for a while.

 

Yeah eagle rods are good for a NA application and mild turbo applications. I've heard eagles being used in 700-900 hp cars. I've never witnessed any just heard of.

 

if you buy rods you can use them in your boosted application

 

Shot peen LS rods should even handle the Boosted engine without any problems.
The stock rods are strong.. just get them shot peen and balanced and use ARP bolts. the OEM bolts are what break in LSVTECs.. not the rods themselves.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BigBodySmith &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why not just get a set of eagle rods for around $300.00. not that expensive, but you dont have worry about your rods again.</TD></TR></TABLE>


why?? well, if you don't wanna lose hp..then dont run eagles.

why lose hp? because they are very heavy, and when you have to spin those heavy rods up...thats alot of drag on your engine. stock rods are light and very strong for a factory rod. i've seen stock rods support 20 lbs of boost...over 400 whp...so why would you ever need stronger rods in a n/a appx. 200 hp engine?

i never understood why people spend money to lighten up there rotating assembly, lighter flywheel, lighter crank pulley, knife edged crank etc...and then stick some overkill super heavy rods in, and add a bunch of weight.

 

don't waste a friggen dime on stock rods (I'll be reluctant to even buy ARP rod bolts again) never mind polishing the stress riser and shot peening them. Just get a set of econo-billet if you are worried about your rods. Stock balanced rods with arp rod bolts should be fine to 9000 4 or 5 time a week

 

Bro, simple answer to a tricky question...

If you've got the money, but rods... if not, don't buy **** you can't afford, or need.

Stock rods will do absolutely perfect. Just make sure you get some 8mm arp's on there, because thats what ***** up on LS/Vtecs.