Since the turbo engine is apart, I thought this would be a good time to ask about updating from the stock rods that are in it. It was running 8.18 @ 88 mph in the 1/8th, in a car that weighs 5500lbs, and shifting around 6000 rpm. The best I can tell that would be a 12.6 or so in the quarter, and about 550 rear wheel horsepower. That's around 680 at the engine. Are there any off the shelf high performance rods available that will directly replace the stock rods and be good for 800hp or more? I'd like to get it into the 7's in the 1/8th, and the 11's in the 1/4. If my numbers are off, please let me know!
You shouldn't need much more than the TA sportsman rods for the 1/4 mile times you posted, but for big hp, the TA billet rods have a stock length and stock diameter & width on the big end, but are bushed for floating pins. http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=207 Devon
I don't think its a typo. It's a wagon, and it's kickass. I enjoyed the hell out of watching it go down the track when the Buick day was at Mooresville NC dragstrip.
The car was weighed before I got my hands on it, so it may be a little less now. Or a little more. ou: :TU:
Their standard length billet rods have almost exacly the same weights as stockers, though light pistons are of course a plus anyway. Devon
They are the Speed Pro/TRW forged replacement pistons. Thermal barrier coating on the tops, dry film lube on the skirts and the pins. If the TA rods are stock weight, can they be swapped in without affecting the balance? This isn't the final max HP engine, it's the test mule that has somehow survived! I want to get this thing back running, then start on the next engine and take my time doing it right. If the stock rods aren't already at their limit, I'll stuff them back in and try it again.
Was the engine balanced with the forged pistons? If so, you'd have to compare the weight of your current rods to the billet rods (mine came with big & small weights written down) to see how close they are. If the engine wasn't balanced with the forged pistons, it should be done regardless of which rods you choose. Devon
Call AM&P or Finishline. I think they both machine aftermarket Pontiac rods for a Buick. Slightly longer that a Buick rod but cost a lot less than TA.
Yep, it's been balanced. I wouldn't think so, and even if the pistons were far enough down to allow them to work, they would raise the compression.
The sportsman rods are press fit and good for up to 800hp and 7000rpm. They also cost almost 1/2 as much. I bet I could squeeze 900hp out of them! ou: :error: http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1633A
Sounds like the way to go. Two years ago I picked up the billet rods for the price of the sportsmans so I couldn't say no. Devon
The Pontiac rods are only .020 longer. Unless you have 0 decked the engine or run the valves they work fine and give you a slight increase in compression.
If you are going to stay under 6500 RPMs, save the money you are going to spend for the rods and just install ARP rod bolts and have them resized. Spend $200.00 instead of $1500.00 if only going up a little more than you are now.
