mattorx7

hi im going to set my rpm limit to 6500 are rod bolts neccesary at this stage?

deuce4935

iTrader: (2)

depends on how often you'll actually be reaching the limit mark, but for a sense of security, I would upgrade them due to the rod bolts already being known to fail.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

01-02 cars have a little better RB and 6500 is no sweat. IMO 6500 is close to the limit for earlier cars but I really wouldn't worry about it. I spun my old 98 346 to 6500 for three years no problems....

LS1-450

iTrader: (33)

...Yup. Don't even sweat it. Let her spin.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

My buddy along with many other people have spun the earlier yrs to 6500+ without issue. His rev limit was actually set to 6800.

I spun my 02 to 7100 quite a bit testing shift rpms before settling on a rev limit of 6950. It never batted an eye.

So I wouldn't worry one bit with a 6500 rev limit as long as you have the proper valve train. Meaning don't raise it if you have stock springs. It would be pointless anyhow as the stock cam flat lines at ~5500.

DaveX

I have been spinning mine to 6600 for a while now without any problems (yet).

DPleasent

I just put a new crankshaft and bearings in a friends 98 LS1. Three rods spun bearings, but didn't damange the rods. The kid beats the car within an inch of its life and I don't think he has a rev limiter. I installed arp rod bolts and would do the same if you have you engine out. Cheap insurance.

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

this.

slowblackbird

iTrader: (1)

i have a ls1 in a rockcrawler and there are times where i have held it on the rev limiter for a long time and that would be 6800 rpm with stock rod bolts 99 model ls1

ss2000

iTrader: (45)

I would think you are ok. I've spun my 2000 ls1 to 7000 for the last few years and it is fine. i did just put katech rod bolts in as I'm doing another set up.

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

if you do spin it that high on a regular basis make sure you stay on top of oil changes and dont cheap out when it comes to buying oil. Also a ported oil pump while not necessary would be good insurance.

Summerwolf

iTrader: (3)

I spin mine to 7K all the time....a lot of miles doing this, lol....I'm pretty sure you'll be okay.

S2VYSS

Excuse the stupid question, but the concern that at high rpm that the rod bolts will work themselves loose and fail?

DaveX

The factory bolts are not very strong compared to higher grade fasteners. The failure usually results in a spun bearing. My assumption is that when this happens the bolts stretch/flex just enough to allow the bearing to spin. I think it is extremely rare for them to come loose or actually break.

noice

If torqued with the right lubricant and an accurate torque wrench the bolts won't come loose. Rpm kills rod bolts and connecting rods because the force the connecting rods and rod bolts have to withstand increases at a much faster rate than the rpm. So while an engine might run just fine at 6900rpm, it might not like 7100rpm at all. Also fatigue limits of materials means that a rod bolt may only last for so long at a certain level, even if you don't increase the rpm. This isn't to limit rpm concerns to just rods and rod bolts, it applies to nearly every part of the engine. Piston pins, pistons, etc.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

same here, my Transams stock 99 LS1 seen 7000-7200 a lot, another friend same thing. My stock 5.3 and 6.0 boosted seen 7k all the time. Ive never had a rod bolt problem.

WS6sleeper

iTrader: (1)

What about when it comes to boost and the stock bottom end? How high could I spin a turbo'd LS1? (under 10psi)

hymey

7000 rpm no problem, detonation will stretch them though!

S2VYSS

Thanks for the clear answer

Sounds like most people dont have a problem with the stock bolts anyway, but if the engine is apart replaced the bolts