I have a fresh .040 stock block with forged 8.6 pistons and everything else stock (except the turbo). This motor is going in this week and I'm pretty much out of cash.

Is it worth it to run ARP rod bolts, or are the stock ones strong enough for 6k rpm's or less?

I have never heard of rod bolts breaking from anyone here or on any mustang forum..

What do you guys think?

 

If I already had everything apart, I would spend the $40 and put in ARP bolts.

 

edit, misread the post :loll:

Won't the rotating assembly need to be rebalaced as well if you change the bolts?

 

if you change bolts then the rods need to be resized. it's cheaper just to buy a set of scat i beams.

 

I'm running stock rod bolts on my fresh rebuild.....no problems here.

 

I remember asking why central coast mustangs didn't use ARP rod bolts in their brand new short blocks, and the owner said he never seen one of his, or anyones he can remember, blowing the engine up because a rod bolt failed. Seems quite a few guys here split their blocks on stock shortblocks.. which should mean they are running stock bolts as well.

 

my motor had stock rod bolts... it broke a rod and the bolts were still holding nicely... i think RPM hurts rod bolts more than power..

 

Yeah save your money, the block will split before the bolts will break.

Briane

 

That's true. The rods yanking down the piston at high rpms puts the most stress on rod bolts, or rods for that matter.

I'd say unless the stock bolts have been off and on a lot, just run 'em.

 

That's what I was going to say. Seems like most boosted stock blocks break the block before the rod bolts let go.

Scott