OE TT Connecting Rods vs Aftermarket at 450hp
06-08-2019, 03:47 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
OE TT Connecting Rods vs Aftermarket at 450hp
Posting here as well due to increased traffic. I think I know the answer to this but since my motor is open I figured I would ask the question. My OE rods are currently out being balanced/etc. Had a slight scare that two of them may have overheated but it was a mix up at the shop. I researched aftermarket connecting and they offer some attractive advantages. That being said, I am not modifying anything other than the GT oil cooler, cat/muffler bypass, and "S" tune that is already on the car. My guess is that I am making 450hp max. I figure my refurbed OE con rods are good enough for long term use at this HP/TQ level. Thoughts?
06-08-2019, 10:30 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
06-08-2019, 11:25 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
It's the first thing changed on a decent turbo engine build. Sure ARP rod bolts buy you head room but not much. They tend to oval on the big end from the weight and RPM. The Arrow rod is MUCH lighter and stronger than OEM. It's really the first thing that should be done IMHO, even at your modest power levels. The added head room will also give you peace of mind when you eventually add more power.
06-09-2019, 12:23 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
It's the first thing changed on a decent turbo engine build. Sure ARP rod bolts buy you head room but not much. They tend to oval on the big end from the weight and RPM. The Arrow rod is MUCH lighter and stronger than OEM. It's really the first thing that should be done IMHO, even at your modest power levels. The added head room will also give you peace of mind when you eventually add more power.
06-09-2019, 09:00 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Stock turbo rods with ARP bolts would not bother me in the slightest. Spinning fast is much harder on the rods than additional chamber pressure... So as long as you're keeping the 6800rpm they'll be fine.
06-09-2019, 11:13 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
It's the first thing changed on a decent turbo engine build. Sure ARP rod bolts buy you head room but not much. They tend to oval on the big end from the weight and RPM. The Arrow rod is MUCH lighter and stronger than OEM. It's really the first thing that should be done IMHO, even at your modest power levels. The added head room will also give you peace of mind when you eventually add more power.
Yeah thats the current plan.
Trending Topics
06-09-2019, 12:08 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
I am sure you could find a buyer for the stock rods. Pelican Parts seems to have better classifieds for that sort of thing. Then that $$$ just comes off the top of the price of the new ones.
Reducing reciprocating mass takes a TON of load off the big rod end and rod bearings. The 993 has narrower rod journals than earlier cars and the GT3. That means more pressure per square inch all things being equal. The factory pistons are pretty heavy but they do have many advantages over the aftermarket ones so I would stay with those unless racing. That leaves only the rods as a source of weight reduction. While quite pricey I opted for the Aarow rods for strength & weight reasons. Mine was a budget build too.
While many options seem expensive on top of the rest of the rebuild costs they will seem cheap down the line. Changing cams now is around a $1k proposition. Down the road once assembled its thousands. They REALLY wake the car up too! Consult with experienced guys like Steve W and try so he can help determine the right parts to replace while you're in there vs throwing away a bunch of money.
Lastly I cringe when I hear HP goals. That's a static number at one point in the RPM band. You should focus on the power delivery curve and let the numbers fall where they will. Getting north of 450 will be easy. Getting the car to feel eager and happy throughout the power band with a 2v non VVT engine will require MUCH more planning. Don't squander this opportunity to set the stage for a happy 993tt.
Reducing reciprocating mass takes a TON of load off the big rod end and rod bearings. The 993 has narrower rod journals than earlier cars and the GT3. That means more pressure per square inch all things being equal. The factory pistons are pretty heavy but they do have many advantages over the aftermarket ones so I would stay with those unless racing. That leaves only the rods as a source of weight reduction. While quite pricey I opted for the Aarow rods for strength & weight reasons. Mine was a budget build too.
While many options seem expensive on top of the rest of the rebuild costs they will seem cheap down the line. Changing cams now is around a $1k proposition. Down the road once assembled its thousands. They REALLY wake the car up too! Consult with experienced guys like Steve W and try so he can help determine the right parts to replace while you're in there vs throwing away a bunch of money.
Lastly I cringe when I hear HP goals. That's a static number at one point in the RPM band. You should focus on the power delivery curve and let the numbers fall where they will. Getting north of 450 will be easy. Getting the car to feel eager and happy throughout the power band with a 2v non VVT engine will require MUCH more planning. Don't squander this opportunity to set the stage for a happy 993tt.
06-09-2019, 12:25 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I am sure you could find a buyer for the stock rods. Pelican Parts seems to have better classifieds for that sort of thing. Then that $$$ just comes off the top of the price of the new ones.
Reducing reciprocating mass takes a TON of load off the big rod end and rod bearings. The 993 has narrower rod journals than earlier cars and the GT3. That means more pressure per square inch all things being equal. The factory pistons are pretty heavy but they do have many advantages over the aftermarket ones so I would stay with those unless racing. That leaves only the rods as a source of weight reduction. While quite pricey I opted for the Aarow rods for strength & weight reasons. Mine was a budget build too.
While many options seem expensive on top of the rest of the rebuild costs they will seem cheap down the line. Changing cams now is around a $1k proposition. Down the road once assembled its thousands. They REALLY wake the car up too! Consult with experienced guys like Steve W and try so he can help determine the right parts to replace while you're in there vs throwing away a bunch of money.
Lastly I cringe when I hear HP goals. That's a static number at one point in the RPM band. You should focus on the power delivery curve and let the numbers fall where they will. Getting north of 450 will be easy. Getting the car to feel eager and happy throughout the power band with a 2v non VVT engine will require MUCH more planning. Don't squander this opportunity to set the stage for a happy 993tt.
Reducing reciprocating mass takes a TON of load off the big rod end and rod bearings. The 993 has narrower rod journals than earlier cars and the GT3. That means more pressure per square inch all things being equal. The factory pistons are pretty heavy but they do have many advantages over the aftermarket ones so I would stay with those unless racing. That leaves only the rods as a source of weight reduction. While quite pricey I opted for the Aarow rods for strength & weight reasons. Mine was a budget build too.
While many options seem expensive on top of the rest of the rebuild costs they will seem cheap down the line. Changing cams now is around a $1k proposition. Down the road once assembled its thousands. They REALLY wake the car up too! Consult with experienced guys like Steve W and try so he can help determine the right parts to replace while you're in there vs throwing away a bunch of money.
Lastly I cringe when I hear HP goals. That's a static number at one point in the RPM band. You should focus on the power delivery curve and let the numbers fall where they will. Getting north of 450 will be easy. Getting the car to feel eager and happy throughout the power band with a 2v non VVT engine will require MUCH more planning. Don't squander this opportunity to set the stage for a happy 993tt.