DEFINITIVE ANSWER NEEDED, 99-00 Rods v 01-present
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From: DETROIT, (formerly Eaton County, Michigan)
DEFINITIVE ANSWER NEEDED, 99-00 Rods v 01-present
OK, once and for all.
What is the answer!
Are 99-00 Connecting rods Strong, better than 01-present?
I usually trust what Sal says, however this has been kicked back and forth for years.
I'd like to know who manufactured the 99-00 rods and the 01-present rods.
what they are made of, tensile strength and all that good stuff.
Once and for all, is there a difference and is so, which are better?
What is the answer!
Are 99-00 Connecting rods Strong, better than 01-present?
I usually trust what Sal says, however this has been kicked back and forth for years.
I'd like to know who manufactured the 99-00 rods and the 01-present rods.
what they are made of, tensile strength and all that good stuff.
Once and for all, is there a difference and is so, which are better?
Originally posted by LightningTuner
The evidence is simple. You ever see anyone with a 99/00 post they broke a rod? Me either
.
Actually, not long ago I compared the "stock" rods I replaced in one of my 99 motors, with the "stock" rods that I took out of my 01 motor when I rebuilt it to go in the Thundersnake. There WERE subtle changes to the casting, proving that either the vendor, or design HAD changed, from 99 to 01.
The evidence is simple. You ever see anyone with a 99/00 post they broke a rod? Me either
.Actually, not long ago I compared the "stock" rods I replaced in one of my 99 motors, with the "stock" rods that I took out of my 01 motor when I rebuilt it to go in the Thundersnake. There WERE subtle changes to the casting, proving that either the vendor, or design HAD changed, from 99 to 01.
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From: Palm Coast, FL
Other than those two facts that you quoted from me, I don't think there is any other info to prove or disprove it. Something also to keep in mind, this is not limited to Lightning motors. I have gotten the same feedback from some fellow tuners that the same thing happens on the Mustang GT as well. They hit about 450rwhp and pop. This is only on 01-up, no issues with 99-00s. Take that for what it's worth, I have no other info other than what I've already stated. There are a few Ford insiders that post here, maybe some of them could look into vendor lists?
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From: TEXAS
Without seeing inside ford info as Sal suggested we can ONLY go on the feedback we have seen here...
In the 4 or more years I have been reading posts here there have been VERY few 99 - 2000 trucks that have lost rods.. I would say less than 3 that I know of.
I know lots of 99-00 trucks that have high miles and have run under some "interesting" conditions and are still running strong.
Running in the 12's with 4# pulley and no chip
Running in the 12's with chip and no pulley
Running aftermarket MAF with no chip
Its anedotal information BUT by comparison it seems to mean something.....
In the 4 or more years I have been reading posts here there have been VERY few 99 - 2000 trucks that have lost rods.. I would say less than 3 that I know of.
I know lots of 99-00 trucks that have high miles and have run under some "interesting" conditions and are still running strong.
Running in the 12's with 4# pulley and no chip
Running in the 12's with chip and no pulley
Running aftermarket MAF with no chip
Its anedotal information BUT by comparison it seems to mean something.....
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From: MOTORCITY
we'll be pushing the 00 rods in my motor this year so we will see how much hp they are good for maybe not right away but by the end of the year we will be turning up the wick.
also remember the list of mods weren't anywhere near what is out today. and most 99-00 owners worked their way up the ladder so to speak with the 2 lb pulley than the 3 came out and so on. where in 01 you already had a 6lb. and maybe even a 8 pound pulley and plenty of other stuff to go with it. and add the rush to get the new pcm figured out i can see why their was more of an issue with the 01 motors.
also remember the list of mods weren't anywhere near what is out today. and most 99-00 owners worked their way up the ladder so to speak with the 2 lb pulley than the 3 came out and so on. where in 01 you already had a 6lb. and maybe even a 8 pound pulley and plenty of other stuff to go with it. and add the rush to get the new pcm figured out i can see why their was more of an issue with the 01 motors.
Last edited by RDY2RAC; Feb 27, 2004 at 05:30 PM.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
You get a choice.
99-00: Possibly stronger rods, but you may lose a plug and trash your heads
01-02: You may lose a rod, may have a transmission diode die (01 only) and trash your heads.
03-04: You may lose a rod, but at least your plugs may stay put for a while.
99-00: Possibly stronger rods, but you may lose a plug and trash your heads
01-02: You may lose a rod, may have a transmission diode die (01 only) and trash your heads.
03-04: You may lose a rod, but at least your plugs may stay put for a while.
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Originally posted by RDY2RAC
we'll be pushing the 00 rods in my motor this year so we will see how much hp they are good for maybe not right away but by the end of the year we will be turning up the wick.
also remember the list of mods weren't anywhere near what is out today. and most 99-00 owners worked their way up the ladder so to speak with the 2 lb pulley than the 3 came out and so on. where in 01 you already had a 6lb. and maybe even a 8 pound pulley and plenty of other stuff to go with it. and add the rush to get the new pcm figured out i can see why their was more of an issue with the 01 motors.
we'll be pushing the 00 rods in my motor this year so we will see how much hp they are good for maybe not right away but by the end of the year we will be turning up the wick.
also remember the list of mods weren't anywhere near what is out today. and most 99-00 owners worked their way up the ladder so to speak with the 2 lb pulley than the 3 came out and so on. where in 01 you already had a 6lb. and maybe even a 8 pound pulley and plenty of other stuff to go with it. and add the rush to get the new pcm figured out i can see why their was more of an issue with the 01 motors.
BTW, they are not cast (from LightningTuner's quoted post), they are powdered metal. It's a very different process almost similar to forging (but not with nearly as good of results as forging)
Randy
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From: Colorado,
I think your are heading down the wrong road guys. It is not a horsepower issue.
It is more like the factory called out certain specs and took bids. The first order was enough to cover the first two years of Lightning engines.
Whoever got that second bid on the next batch did something different that made them less strong.
I am no metalurgist but I do know that production runs are done to keep costs down. Big numbers are cheaper to produce than low numbers.
For some reason the 99-00 got a good batch. I had no idea when I bought my used 99 but it does give me a little peace of mind.
It is more like the factory called out certain specs and took bids. The first order was enough to cover the first two years of Lightning engines.
Whoever got that second bid on the next batch did something different that made them less strong.
I am no metalurgist but I do know that production runs are done to keep costs down. Big numbers are cheaper to produce than low numbers.
For some reason the 99-00 got a good batch. I had no idea when I bought my used 99 but it does give me a little peace of mind.
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From: San Diego California
Rods
Good point Red Bolt99. I too have a 99 Lightning heavily moded with NO blown rod-rods YET. I really don't know the answer to why the 99-00 rods last longer. Whatever it is, I'm very happy I have a 99 Lightning that's still running strong. 
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From: Selden NY
Gee it does seem you 99 Brothers keep it together,
Ok I'm open to the fact there is some real evidence showing
much less and dam near NO failures.
that can't be overlooked.
EZGZ you hit it right on the head
Good reference and example:
My Industry only has two compays in the USA that make Cast Iron
Soil Pipe and Fittings, one is Tyler, one is Charlotte. I happen to
have had dinner with the Charlotte Regional Guy Tuesday night, (once a yr he comes down to buy us Dinner) last yr they won the bid, and now make cast iron cylinder Sleeves for Certain Ford motors. I asked John about it, and he said it's for their 4cyl + 6 Cyl Motors I think.
Point is, a Soil Pipe Company that makes the pipe your do do goes through, is NOW making a critical part for a Ford Engine
and I'm sure it's better/worse/differant IN SOME WAY from the people that made it before
Ok I'm open to the fact there is some real evidence showing
much less and dam near NO failures.
that can't be overlooked.
EZGZ you hit it right on the head
Good reference and example:
My Industry only has two compays in the USA that make Cast Iron
Soil Pipe and Fittings, one is Tyler, one is Charlotte. I happen to
have had dinner with the Charlotte Regional Guy Tuesday night, (once a yr he comes down to buy us Dinner) last yr they won the bid, and now make cast iron cylinder Sleeves for Certain Ford motors. I asked John about it, and he said it's for their 4cyl + 6 Cyl Motors I think.
Point is, a Soil Pipe Company that makes the pipe your do do goes through, is NOW making a critical part for a Ford Engine
and I'm sure it's better/worse/differant IN SOME WAY from the people that made it before