Hi all:
In short, I'd like to get a notion of how safe I can feel revving stock Chevy rods (180,000 psi bolts) that reciprocate 610 gram forged pistons to above 6000 RPM but not higher than 6500 on occasional basis. This is because of the peak of the power curve occuring around 6 grand (check the link below for the power graph of the setup i'll be using). The heavier forged piston is what raises my concerns, although if I had cast I'd still want to check. The motor is a 355 sbc (400 - 450 hp expected) going into an automatic 1990 camaro which is not a daily driver but will be used on nights/weekends for street fun, occasional track.
I'm looking for input from any experienced person that has ACTUALLY put stock chevy rods through hell or experienced someone do it. In my opinion, you can analyze and make theories all day, but testing proves! I'd like to hear some stories. Have any of you actually experienced a stock rod failure?
I'm already aware that it would be a safer bet to use stronger rods. I'm not trying to be impatient, I'm just so far in the build that it would be very expensive & time consuming to go back, uninstall, buy new rods, rebalance the assembly and reinstall. Of course if it is too risky to use the stock rods, then I must rebuild because then I would waste much more money if the motor blows.
I am building a 355 SBC. Here's some specs:
Reconditioned 350 roller block, 30 over
NEW Scat stock replacement crank
Reconditioned stock rods w/ 180000 psi rod bolts
NEW Speed Pro pistons, forged, mass of 610 grams (heavy which is why i'm worried)
Assembly balanced and dampened w/ fluid filled dampener
Vortec heads (Engine Quest brand) modified for higher lift
Edelbrock 2204 Hyd. Roller Cam
Edelbrock RPM Pro Flo EFI kit #3507 (check it out, very sexy - http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/efi/pro-flo_chevy_sb.shtml)
Roller rockers
Since my motor will be very similiar to Edelbrock's 440 HP EFI crate engine, I think it is safe to say that dyno results would be very similiar to Edelbrock's. Check out the power/torque graph for the EFI kit I posted the link for above.
Thanks!
In short, I'd like to get a notion of how safe I can feel revving stock Chevy rods (180,000 psi bolts) that reciprocate 610 gram forged pistons to above 6000 RPM but not higher than 6500 on occasional basis. This is because of the peak of the power curve occuring around 6 grand (check the link below for the power graph of the setup i'll be using). The heavier forged piston is what raises my concerns, although if I had cast I'd still want to check. The motor is a 355 sbc (400 - 450 hp expected) going into an automatic 1990 camaro which is not a daily driver but will be used on nights/weekends for street fun, occasional track.
I'm looking for input from any experienced person that has ACTUALLY put stock chevy rods through hell or experienced someone do it. In my opinion, you can analyze and make theories all day, but testing proves! I'd like to hear some stories. Have any of you actually experienced a stock rod failure?
I'm already aware that it would be a safer bet to use stronger rods. I'm not trying to be impatient, I'm just so far in the build that it would be very expensive & time consuming to go back, uninstall, buy new rods, rebalance the assembly and reinstall. Of course if it is too risky to use the stock rods, then I must rebuild because then I would waste much more money if the motor blows.
I am building a 355 SBC. Here's some specs:
Reconditioned 350 roller block, 30 over
NEW Scat stock replacement crank
Reconditioned stock rods w/ 180000 psi rod bolts
NEW Speed Pro pistons, forged, mass of 610 grams (heavy which is why i'm worried)
Assembly balanced and dampened w/ fluid filled dampener
Vortec heads (Engine Quest brand) modified for higher lift
Edelbrock 2204 Hyd. Roller Cam
Edelbrock RPM Pro Flo EFI kit #3507 (check it out, very sexy - http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/efi/pro-flo_chevy_sb.shtml)
Roller rockers
Since my motor will be very similiar to Edelbrock's 440 HP EFI crate engine, I think it is safe to say that dyno results would be very similiar to Edelbrock's. Check out the power/torque graph for the EFI kit I posted the link for above.
Thanks!