When are ARP Rod bolts needed?

In my attempts to save money wherever possible, I would like to know is there a known power threshold of the stock rod fasteners.

My motor will be built with the goal in the vicinity of 450hp, and it will not be turning any high RPMs, as it will mostly be a street motor for my 76 Limited. (compression will be 10:1, cam will be TAs 212).

My local machine shop gave me a quote for $144 for the rod reconditioning/installation of ARP fasteners.

Can I reuse the stock bolts without any problems?

Thanks for any suggestions/insight.

Langston

 

Langston, the stock bolts will be fine for that appication. One of the factors is what kind of use did the engine have before. Mostt 455's spent thier life in big electras or whatever and have probably never seen the high side of 4000 rpm. In this situation, the bolts would have never been stressed and you should have no concerns.
Jim Burek

 

Does that included that cost of that ARP bolts too? I would think if you want to have any future fun down the road, you don't want to have to pull the engine again just to upgrade your rod bolts. Now is the time to get all the upgrades done on the bottom end. I would think 450 real deal HP would be pushing your luck with stock rod bolts. I guess it just depends on how often you actually hit the 450 HP mark.

TA 212 = 450 HP ?

Are you planning on running through cast iron exhaust manifolds? If so, I don't think you'll get anywhere close to 450 HP with a TA 212 at any RPM with that set-up. Are you porting your heads too? Big valves, small valves?

The 1970 Stage-1 made 376 HP @ 5,000 RPM. So, you are looking to add 74 more HP over the 1970 Stage-1 engine...you'll have to do more than add a TA 212 for that to happen.

 

Jim,
Thanks for the heads up :TU:

 

Hey Tommie,
Thanks for bringing this up.

I plan on using full length headers from TA, accompanied by a 2.5" dual exhaust set up. The heads ('72) will be mildly ported/polished, retaining the stock size valves. I plan on using the Edlebrock Performer Dual Plane intake as well. The engines compression ratio will be 10:1.

Do you still think my 450hp goal is far fetched with this cam (TA 212)? If so, what cam/specifications should I be looking at? I would still like to retain a semi-smooth idle. I wouldnt mind a slight lope, but the car will mostly be a cruiser.
I'd appreciate any opinion!!

Thanks
Langston

 

Hey Langston.I have to go with Tommie on this one.I bet the TA212 is a great "Sleeper" cam with a ever so slight "rump " to it.I run a TA cam two profiles above the 212,my set up is close to yours with a c.r about 9.5.My engine pulled 420 horses on the dyno with my somewhat beat up distributor.I guessed 425 at best with a good distributor and some finer tuning.IMHO you would need more cam and some head work to get to 450 horses.She should be a good "Torquer" on the street with a 212 cam though :TU: As far as ARP rod bolts,I used them because I myself am a bit of a stickler for peace of mind.But who am I to second guess one of the "Two Jim`s" :laugh: if he says stock is good,all the power to ya!! Good Luck.Later,Tony.

 

Thanks. So you have the TA-290-94H?

How is your idle?

 

Hey Langston.It`s lumpy,not real scary but you can tell it`s not a stock/Stg1 or RV cam.I had a Kenne Bell 118 before and this TA29094H is close in sound.Now mind you with the 2000-2200 stall if you load the converter off the line it goes like hell.If your looking for "Sleeper" I think the TA212 would be good with a stock stall and your set-up.I bet 400 horses maybe a bit more would be the number.Lots of torque,lots of fun!! :laugh: Quite a few guys have ran or or running the 212 in their big blocks to a "search" for TA212 cam.
Hope this helps.Later,Tony.

 

Thanks Tony. I did a lil bit of research on the 212 way back before I bought it, and I remember a lot of people being happy with it. I think I'll stick with it. I think I can trade a few ponies for a smoother ride. (I dont wantto go through the hassle of getting rid of the 212 to exchange for a new one either LOL)

I plan on keeping the stock stall as well.

 

I love a "Sleeper" :TU: Later,Tony.

 

I don't think you would want to go much beyond something like the TA 212 based on what you said above. What is the weight of your car and your rear gear. I assume your transmission is stock. TH-400? You might want to talk to Jim Burek about possibly adding a switch-pitch converter if your car is heavy and doesn't have a performance gear in the back end. Traction may end up being a problem though....:bglasses:

Best check on the actual allowable compression ratio with todays pump gas and that cam. Again, I'd check with Jim Burek. I think he has a Wildcat with a similar set-up posted on his website. Scroll down on the the page (on the link below) until you see the red Wildcat. You'll have to verify with Jim on the specifics of that car.

http://www.paeenterprises.com/jimspage.html

 

Thanks for the info Tommy. Yes, my transmission is stock, TH-400. The rear is either 2:73, or 2:93...not quite sure. The car has a curb weight just in excess of 4700lb.

 

I just added more info and a link to my post above. Check it out. I think you'll want to consider a switch-pitch with those gears and the TA 212 camshaft.

 

Thanks for the help Tommy. I'll seek some advice from Jim. I appreciate the guidance from everyone!

 

:



Best check on the actual allowable compression ratio with todays pump gas and that cam. Again, I'd check with Jim Burek. I think he has a Wildcat with a similar set-up posted on his website. Scroll down on the the page (on the link below) until you see the red Wildcat. You'll have to verify with Jim on the specifics of that car.

http://www.paeenterprises.com/jimspage.html[/QUOTE]




That Wildcat was my first experience with now infamous 234/236 scott brown cam( now a 226/238 cam). We took a kenne bell 118 out of the car. Jim Burek

 

OK Jim, you got my attention. Whats the "infamous" 226/238 cam and why is it infamous? I'm going to remove my stock cam one of these days and go with something a little stouter. Whats the lift and the LSA? Who makes it? Those specs look the same as the 118 cam. Does it run better than the 118? How does it idle? Thanks.

 

...as in Fast Rrrrrrr... :blast:

 

I myself have never liked the 118 cam, it seems lazy to me. The Scott Brown 226/238 is a fast ramp cam, which got lots of negative publicity a few years back. But this little cam not only makes good power but also pulls through 6000 rpm. It idles at around 750 with a noticeable lope. It's done on a 113 LSA. The 118 cam is a very old design done on very slow ramps, that cam was designed back in the late 60's.
We have used the 226/238 grind in many applications that have run well into the 12's, one car I know of ran 12.09 at around 109 mph.
Jim Burek

 

Jim, whats a fast ramp cam and has it been a problem with this paticular one? Also whats the lift for this cam with stock 1.55 rockers. Do you think its OK for a stock motor or does it only work with more radical setups?

 

I run that cam in my street car. Killer little cam for sure. Everyone who runs it loves it. I do, 4 years now. My street car has only run 12.30s but has knocked down some 110 mph speeds. Pretty good for 3932 pounds. It would run quicker but I just can't seem to give up my TQ1000 for a Demon, need to lower 60ft times into the low 1.7s.

Thanks again, Jim...