Glad we can help..
As far as the limits to the stock bottom end its a hard question to answer.i'll explain....Many of you know(not Bragging on myself) that i have personally Tuned some of the Fastest Lightnings & HD on the planet...If we look back about a year ago or so we would remember a thread got started on BLOWN Engines! Most of those engines at that time were my customers..The reason we saw so many of these JLP trucks breaking rods was because we were simply making HUGE Power!(others) used the JLP chips Being the reason why they were breaking rods!(Just to make their chip look better) But if you watched this for awhile you will see just as many of the (other) trucks have been breaking rods.(Even their own)! I say all that to say this.The problem is *WEAK* rods! These rods are the exact rod in a N/A 5.4 engine. their what we call a powder cracked rod. the end cap is actually craked to fit the bearings in the big end.(whats that tell you?) the rod is some what (brittle) to do that.these rods are ok in*most*applications,however in the 5.4 S/C application its a *poor* choice,the rod is a Very Long rod in the 5.4.thats where the problem lies ...We have customer running upwards of 18# of boost on a *stock* bottom end with No problems (YET)..And again we have guys with a 3# lower pulley breaking rods. I would say the *MOST* i would reccomend would be a 5 maybe 6# lower pulley on a Lightning and a 6-8# on a HD which yields 2# less than a Lightning...right around 450h.p. looks like the limit!!(in Most Cases)I remember *TOTALED* running a 11.6 on a *stock* bottom end..With No problems...then we built a different engine for him. So the reason we see such a difference in rods breaking is because the problem is just that the RODS!(Unpredictable) Trust me *FORD* will be changing them very soon on the new Trucks. or they'll go broke replacing these engines!!!And oh yes i saw 3 STOCK Lightnings with Broke rods and talked to the ford rep. about it. The problem is the rods!!! you say you want to play it *safe* then leave it stock! just like ALL Vehicles with mods were always taken a chance...... JLP

 

Now, we all know that we should accept responsibility for consenquences if we have made modification to a truck that was cause of such consenquence. But to have stock rods give in under conditions that were within its specs is something I do not like smell of.

I am quite well aware that Ford can claim these are exceptions and not the rule. However, I am entitled to feel that decision to keep same rods from n/a engines in supercharged engines is pushing the envelope farther than I, as an engineer, like to hear. I am also quite well aware that Ford is not going to change rods in my truck just because I don't like their decision. Ford is going to repair my engine only after the fact and probably replace rods with exactly same design which means I would be back to square one. That is all if I am still around alive and healthy to see it happen. I don't want to imagine what would happen if my engine blows at worst possible moment.

Due to this I am seriously considering what I could do on my own to avoid this. If it takes replacing rods on my own expense to achieve that then I will be seriously tempted to do what it takes. I will think of it as a cheap life insurance. I will not sit and wait for Ford.

ZoranC

 

ball park figure, what would it cost to replace the rods with forged ones before the motor blows? how about the approximate cost to have a stronger motor built?

 

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE TO "TIPTOE" AROUND THIS ANSWER, But, thanks for giving me an educated answer.

""""""""""" I would say the *MOST* i would reccomend would be a 5 maybe 6# lower pulley on a Lightning and a 6-8# on a HD which yields 2# less than a Lightning...right around 450h.p. looks like the limit!!(in Most Cases) """"""""""""

Being in the automotive business, and having built many of cars for customers, i totally understand your reasoning behind your answer. Im new to these mod motors, and totally appreciate your answering my question.


Vince

 

Has anyone ever done a group buy on rods???
Is anyone interested???

 

Definatley interested. I know eventually, ( probably sooner than later) I will have to replace them so might as well get a good deal on them .

-Ryan

 

A built short block, with quality rods, pistons, ARP, etc… runs about $5000 installed.

 

<Checks his pockets and finds... 37 cents???> I guess that will have to wait a little.

ZoranC

 

Ok guys...the problem is solved - Either stop playing like girls or share the dolly. It looks like this is good news. Thanks JL for taking the pics and posting on the forums. Now everyone can sleep and send this beating up dead horse to heaven.

 

for those interested we do have JLP short and Long blocks available and also offer our service to remove and replace your's if you would like..call for details..717 786 4670... JLP

 

who out here in california can or has done this?