1fastz

iTrader: (16)

A friend of mine has had problems with his motor and from the sound of it, we think it might be a connecting rod that broke, or a floating valve.... whatever it is, its slapping inside the motor. So we breaking down the motor little by little and so far we have the manifold off, headers, valvecovers, rockers,pushrods out, and all that seems to be okay. We're goign to take the heads off soon to see if it is a valve. But what im really wondering is if we do have to replace a connecting rod, is it better to just go all forged? with diamond pistons, billet crankshaft all the good stuff? What are the benefits over all from having forged internals? He doesnt plan to supercharge anytime soon, but he does have nitrous.

Beaflag VonRathburg

iTrader: (176)

It all plans on what's wrong and what he plans to do on down the road. If he plans on staying with a h/c setup it would most likely benefit him to just find another stock shortblock. This could go as wild as he wants, from just a forged 347, 383, 402, 408, 427 or any where in between. Just depends on what he plans on doing with the car in the future.

greysteel_M6

iTrader: (5)

If cash is an issue he might want to stick with a stock short block, but with a forged bottom end he would be able to comforably push it on the nitrous.

JRracing

iTrader: (35)

The moter would take more abuse. Like a big dose of juice.

But your talking a lot of money. And a short block is the way to go now a days. They sell them cheeper than you could build it yourself. And there would be no worries about it being done right.

Asmodeus

if you can, reuse the stock crank and block, both have gone over 1000rwhp.

stock rods are good to about 600rwhp.. but not terribly expensive to replace. Definately go with forged piston, the stock ones are hypereutectic.. very unforgiving to detonation (though cheaper and quieter due to construction) and more brittle than a forged = not good with increased cylinder pressure and temperature.