I was just wondering, how many people have threw a rod that didnt have built engines?

What were your conditions like, meaning, what octane were u running, what mods did you have and what was the weather like....warm, cold... this is just for personal knowledge...more so being curious....

 

About 2 years ago in a couple of weeks. 3 lb lower small metco interchangeable upper. #4 broke and left a couple of holes in the engine block. Borla exhaust, ram air kit. 93 octane and it was probably 40-50° outside temps. Engine blew at around a 120-130 mph. I got on the gas at around 80mph and when I got to 120-130 I heard a boom and there was a huge cloud of smoke behind me.

 

That's gotto suck

 

on the 5 south @ 3 a.m coming back from a party at USC in going about 80 mph, only a JLP intake and chip, truck starting shaking like crazy and smoking a lot, leaking everything. bad day

 

These have got to be the weakest part in the lightning enigne. Most built enigne come with much stronger rods than factory. At JDM we use manley rods which have proven to work quite well, however sorry to here about the mishap and hope you can find a good deal on a new motor. Normally this happens due to cold weather, bad gas, high boost and no long tube headers. however this can happen in any weather.

 

 

You can save some blocks when you break a rod as long as it doesnt crack a hole in it right? I know the weak point in these motors are the rods. Those who have thrown a rod, what do you do? Can't bring it to the dealership cause most stock trucks won't toss one. Can't tow it home, cause most people can't do engine work theirselves... Weak rods are bad.
I guess the only answer to it is don't run crazy boost or get a built motor first. Otherwise "if ya wanna play ya gotta pay."
Shane

 

7 disintegrated rods and 7 eaten up pistons. at the time i had a 2lb lower pulley, chip, and air filter. the reason for the motor blowing was I was dumb 2 years ago and didnt know anything about our trucks. I was told that running race mode was ok as long as u have octane boost
oh yeah there was two big holes on either side of the block to.

 

Funny you ask that, I just got home!!!!

Didn't blow mine, but my buddies 02 H.D.

Mods:

KB pullied for 14#, heat exch., elec fan, JLP ram air, JLP chip, just installed tract. bars

We had just installed bars and took it out for a test. Had 93 and some 112 mixed so we were good to go for "lean".

Air was prob around 70.

Took one launch GREAT. Truck run like a beast. 5mph faster on our little "test track".

Second try, everything went fine, about 85 a small boom, and white smoke everywhere.

 

My story is similar to easterisland's........cold out, doin some testing up a steep hill. Boom.....# 5 rod, 3 holes in the block.
Dale

 

I am going to put a 6# and i have a knn air filter
I live in aruba it's always about 80-90 degrees here all year round
Do youn think it is safe to put a 6# on my truck ///
i dont have a chip
Dont wanna break a rod

 

makes me wonder if i should put my 2lber on for the winter. I have a 4lb lower and the other night it was making a solid 13lbs on my autometer gauge. Choices Choices

 

I noticed in your post you mentioned "no Long tube headers". I have been out of pocket awhile so if this is something that's already been beat to death, sorry.

So having the LT's helps to reduce rod failure?

Thanks for any info on this,

Rocks

 

Hey Rocks...Long time, No see!(It's me...Rob),

Anyhow, I believe what he's referring to is that due to the Long Tubes' ability to more efficiently scavenge the spent exhaust gasses, they simultaneously reduce cylinder pressure, which enables the motor to make more power with less boost. On a stock bottom end, that's what we want.
I believe Terry's gonna install mine next week. My hope is that the truck will make as much power with the LT's and a 3.25"upper(12.5-13psi) as it is making in its current configuration(3"upper making 15-15.5psi). We'll see.

Later

 

Hello Rob,

I thought that was you but your registration date through me off the trail.

Anyhew....I was thinking the same as you on gas scavenging. Now why on earth would you need to drop your boost? I thought we worked this all out at FFW. We need to push your truck to at least 18lbs so that I know how far to push mine .


Rocks