Is it worth doing forged pistons without the rods?
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Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 564
From: Silver Spring ,Md.
Is it worth doing forged pistons without the rods?
I'm about to put a stock shortblock back into my car but am wondering if maybe I should upgrade the pistons before I do. What do you guys think?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,428
From: Woodstock,Georgia
You could do that....the problem is by the time you spend the money to recondition your old rods your half way to getting some better new ones....so it doesnt make sence to me not to just get new rods too.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 564
From: Silver Spring ,Md.
I really would like to fully rebuild the motor but I came across a supposedly brand new shortblock for a decent price and decided to go with that since the car had been sitting for a year. The current shortblock is stock with the addition of ported stock heads and a cam.
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Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 823
From: houston, tx
Stock rods hold up pretty well - they are not as weak as many people think. I've been running stock rods (polished the beams myself) w/ arp bolts, in a low compression 383. It's been running with a 250-300 shot now for over 5 years with a 6200-6500 shiftpoint.
If you can afford the good rods, sure, get the additional insurance. But if you're on a tight budget, and dont plan on building the motor to the extreme (which a tight budget rarely allows
) , then the stockers aint bad 
In my case, they've sure handled a ton of abuse, and with more side load than a 350 will ever see.
If you can afford the good rods, sure, get the additional insurance. But if you're on a tight budget, and dont plan on building the motor to the extreme (which a tight budget rarely allows
) , then the stockers aint bad In my case, they've sure handled a ton of abuse, and with more side load than a 350 will ever see.
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