Re using stock rods and crank

First-on-race-day

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So im planning on doing a budget engine rebuild. Car has 90k plus miles on engine. My plan is use stock heads, just rebuild them with any necessary components. Aftermarket cams. High compression pistons. New bearings, etc... and re use the stock rods and crank. Goal is 700-800whp with a 2.9 whipple on E85. Do you guys think its a good idea to re use the stock rods and crank? And if i only replace the pistons do i still need my rotating assembly to get balanced? Thanks

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01yellercobra

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Guys make that power with stock engines. So I'd say you're good. Just get everything inspected.

Balancing is always a good idea IMO.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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Have everything checked and cleaned up, balance it and send it. You might consider upgrading some of the fasteners with ARP 2000 stuff for peace of mind/future power growth potential.
 

Quick Strike

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Balance and ARP 2000 fasteners for everything you can find. Also, remember to open up the ring gaps to prevent butting. The bigger blower adds much more instantaneous heat to the chamber. The rings will grow faster then the cylinder in that case.


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03' White Snake

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Reused mine. Like said, ARP 2000 everything and it's fine. I make damn near 800 rwhp right now. Turning it up soon.
 

badcobra

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Is your current engine fine? If it is, then continue to run it until it's not. Find a block, crank, rods, and pistons and build an engine on the side.
 

badmpg03

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Stock rods and crank work well, if you want to make more than 800-850whp I would personally upgrade the rods...but with that said some are making upwards of 1000whp with stock rods and seem to be holding up fine

If you have older 4 thread heads, I would add time-serts into the heads while you are at it. My '03 started spitting out plugs and we are doing this now
 

First-on-race-day

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Stock rods and crank work well, if you want to make more than 800-850whp I would personally upgrade the rods...but with that said some are making upwards of 1000whp with stock rods and seem to be holding up fine

If you have older 4 thread heads, I would add time-serts into the heads while you are at it. My '03 started spitting out plugs and we are doing this now
Thanks for the tips. Have those inserts been proven?

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4sdvenom

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Lock-n-stitch are the ones you want to use. IIRC They use an aluminum insert where as the other ones use a steel insert. The steel insert can hold heat longer and become a hotspot and promote detention on higher hp builds. Plus there is the whole steel verse aluminum heating up at different rates.
The Lock-n-Stitch are proven!

Ken
 

badcobra

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That would be optimal but i dont have the cash to do that at the moment
I think it is foolish to tear down a perfectly good running engine. New pistons/pins/rings are around $1200-1300. Then you will need to hone the block, balance it, and pay for assembly. New oil pump, ARP head studs, gaskets and the list of stuff needed is endless. You'll be into it for $3000.

Take my advice, I've been in this game for a LONG time. Build a spare engine on the side, it will cost about the same as pulling your perfectly fine stock engine. Assuming it's fine, you haven't stated.
 

03' White Snake

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I think it is foolish to tear down a perfectly good running engine. New pistons/pins/rings are around $1200-1300. Then you will need to hone the block, balance it, and pay for assembly. New oil pump, ARP head studs, gaskets and the list of stuff needed is endless. You'll be into it for $3000.

Take my advice, I've been in this game for a LONG time. Build a spare engine on the side, it will cost about the same as pulling your perfectly fine stock engine. Assuming it's fine, you haven't stated.

$3000...... try $6000+ to rebuild an engine and that is if you do the work yourself. I did not hold back on any part of my engine build and I was over 12k into it. I had the shortblock assembled and I did everything else myself.

I was over 3k at the machine shop alone for my short block machining and assembly. Balancing, bearings, assembly ect. I even provided all the hardware and parts minus the bearings.

Screenshot_20200619-093718_Gallery.jpg
 

01yellercobra

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I think I paid $4500 the last time I built my big bore short block. That was with new pistons. But I assembled it myself.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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Bottom line, if his engine is fine, he should continue to run it as is and build the new engine over time. He's thinking it's cheap if he re-uses his rods and pistons and it's not. Budget and mod motor don't go together.

if he doesnt blow the current motor selling it would probably cover the cost of the budget rods and pistons anyway, or at least close
 

01yellercobra

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But also as mentioned, if the current engine is fine why is he rebuilding. He's not looking for more power than can be made on a stock engine. Unless the current engine is hurt stick with it.
 

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