Best Shortblock Setup

[DeNoZZo]

Here is what I was thinking for a 400 whp capable 7 bolt shortblock.

Block- Cylinders bored .020 over and mains align honed. (I just had the mains line honed last year for my arp's but my motor spun a rod bearing 800 miles after the rebuild. Should they be align honed again?)

Crankshaft- Polish the main journals, and have the rod journals cut .010 (Does this sound like the proper thing to do?)

Rods- I wanted to get the reconditioned 6 bolt rods from dsm graveyard and have them fitted to my 2g pistons. (But I don't know if I will be able to re-use them after the damage of bearing material getting in my oil?)

Pistons-(I need you guy's help deciding what to get for pistons)

I used a cometic mls headgasket before and never had any problems with it sealing. Am I going to need to have the head and block decked again for another one to seal properly? Remember I only drove the car for 800 miles before.

Any suggestions or changes I should make to my plan guys?

 

[JacksonAuto]

First step is to find out why the bearing spun so it doesn't happen again.

The block will need to be rehoned for the new rings to seat.

It would be wise to check the align bore.

Don't automatically cut the crank .010". The first step is to magnaflux it to be certain it isn't cracked. Then mic the journals to make sure that they're still round and not worn. If they are severely scored, nicked or worn it will need to be undercut.

You can clean the metal particles from the rods. I would also magnaflux the rods, replace the bolts and resize the big ends since they took some abuse. Also make sure they aren't bent.

Many times when you spin a rod bearing the piston will come up and smack the head. Be sure to check the deck for any damage. That will tell you if it needs to be milled again.

 

[viperlp01]

Depends on goals. Like always but. JAM is a very respectable shop and I would listen to everything he said about machining. My crank was cut quite a bit and the machine shop should know what to do with your crank.

I went with mahle pistons- Lightest piston on the market. Best piston skirt coating and they make a very high quality piston. They make the evo 10 stock pistons.

Eagle rods- best bang for the buck and I got them on a sick deal. Inspect both top and bottom holes. You can replace the top wrist pin bushing if it was damaged at all and you can have them reconditioned if needed.

Stock crank-They hold a ton of power and don't be afraid if they are cut. They are still very strong after a cut and polish.

OEM MLS- Heard great things about it. Have the machinest check your deck and head straightness and it also has to have a certain polish to maintain a seal

There was a guy that just put down 550+ on a stock 6 bolt bottom end. You going with a 6 bolt rod/2g piston combo should net you good results. Even going with a evo 9 piston would net you alittle more compression and a forged piston for a decent price.

 

[DeNoZZo]

Depends on goals. Like always but. JAM is a very respectable shop and I would listen to everything he said about machining. My crank was cut quite a bit and the machine shop should know what to do with your crank.

I went with mahle pistons- Lightest piston on the market. Best piston skirt coating and they make a very high quality piston. They make the evo 10 stock pistons.

Eagle rods- best bang for the buck and I got them on a sick deal. Inspect both top and bottom holes. You can replace the top wrist pin bushing if it was damaged at all and you can have them reconditioned if needed.

Stock crank-They hold a ton of power and don't be afraid if they are cut. They are still very strong after a cut and polish.

OEM MLS- Heard great things about it. Have the machinest check your deck and head straightness and it also has to have a certain polish to maintain a seal

There was a guy that just put down 550+ on a stock 6 bolt bottom end. You going with a 6 bolt rod/2g piston combo should net you good results. Even going with a evo 9 piston would net you alittle more compression and a forged piston for a decent price.

Do you know if I have to do anything to the crank for it to accept 6 bolt rods?

 

[Bmxr152]

I think he was referring to you as having a 6 bolt motor in your car. Evo 9 pistons are forged and coated, and they are a direct bolt on for 7 bolt motors.

 

[viperlp01]

Do you know if I have to do anything to the crank for it to accept 6 bolt rods?

You machine the rod down to fit in the 7 bolt crank. 7 bolts are thinner and also have a 22mm wrist pin compared to the 6bolt 21mm wrist pin. I would just get some nice rods if I were you. Pm me if you want more direct answers.

 

[JacksonAuto]

You machine the rods, not the crank. The journal OD is the same for 6 and 7 bolt cranks.