Rod bolt replacement

[Chris859]

I have been on here quite a while, and I don't believe I have ever seen a for sure answer on this yet. What is everyone doing for upgraded connecting rod bolts? I am going to have my engine apart for a rebuild and it would give me some peace of mind to replace the stockers with something stronger! Are there any direct fit upgrades? Or will I need to re-machine the rods and use different rod bolts all together? Suggestions? Ideas?

[MeanGreenS13]

im currently in the same shoes as you buddy. I have been looking at JUN rod bolts, but for the price... i just honestly do not think they are gonna be worth it.. $275 shipped...

What im going to do, is pull my stockers out and measure the thread pitch etc, then give ARP a call and cross reference the sizes, see if there are any matches... I might go that route. It seems not many people have gotten into the "underdog" as i call the CA18DET as far as rebuilding it stronger.

I picked my motorset up from Dee (boost_boy) just yesterday, and completely forgot to ask him about the rod bolt situation. Ill have to give him a call next week.

if you find anything out in the meantime let us all know please

Phil

[lilskyline240]

i am also in this boat. If someone cross referances the rod bolts with ARP ones post your findings

[Chris859]

Will do!

[lilskyline240]

Cuz im sure if we found a ARP part number that works it would cost just as much as buying brand new OEM ones

[boost_boy]

Let me ask all of you one question, have any of you ever experienced a stretched rod bolt on a CA18 rod? I don't know where this rod bolt thing started, but I guess it started like all the rest of the ridiculous rumors about the CA18DET such as the stock headgasket will blow past 15psi of boost or the CA18DET needs to be beefed-up after 300hp or the CA18DET has a weak bottom end, etc, etc. Your rod bolts are not your issue and you guys need to stop spending money in these silly little areas because of myths and rumors. Focus on a good engine management system and refresh the bearings, pumps and rings if you really want to get technical.

It's just killing me to see alot you new guys starting all kind of crazy threads about this and that when in all actuality most of you guys' projects will fail before you finish it and will end up being for sale on this same forum because most of you don't listen and wanna do things your way. Take heed to some of the advice that's being given to you by people who have been where you guys are trying to go. And for the record, I constantly 2-step my engine that contain some rods that I've had for 8 years and have not had to worry about any rod bolt garbage being cased on this forum. And if you do find a way to stretch one, it's probably because you over-torqued the damn things or just totally abused an already totally abused engine.

Dee