erick_e

I have a set of ti rods from an LS7 that lost an exhaust valve. I want to have these checked out but really don't know what shops specialize in the LS7 titanium rods.

Some of the rods have physical damage to the thrust side so I know they are no good, but I'm not sure about the others. I know the ti rods have a coating similar to the intake valves and want to make sure the rods are straight.

Who are the shops that specialize in these rods?

2019 ZR1

I have nothing but good things to say about Race Proven Motorsports in New Castle Delaware. They have done a lot of mods for me and several of my friends. I know they are far from you but if anyone is in that area you need to check them out. www.RaceProvenMotorsports.com

Mark Wade

Yes thats a real problem with these engines titanium hates titanium so yes when that damage is obvious biff them,otherwise should be no reason to check the others if they are good on those thrust faces , when i pulled my engine down at 8k , 7 rods were stuffed , not sure why it dosnt crop up here very often , GM only sell rods with pistons on,at some ridiculous price ,so you have to get good second hand ones from guys that are doing these engines ,good luck mate

erick_e

Thanks. Is that the shop that Fran owns?

Thanks. I'm suprised too. I know the rods that are physically damaged are no good, but some of the others have wear marks. And I don't know what normal wear looks like.

I may give Jason at Katech a call, but was wondering if there were other shops that did this kind of specialty inspections.

BOO666

. Jason is a great place to start for info . Rpm has lots of good reviews .. Sounds like good advice too me .

2019 ZR1

Fran is the owner of Race Proven Motorboats.

Michael_D

Katech is who I would call first for rod work.

Unreal

For rebushing/inspecting/messing with Ti rods, Katech is probably one of the only places that can or does that. RPM is a great shop, and you can call and ask, but I doubt they do that type of work in house.

Undy

With the massive trama that the engine suffered I wouldn't use any rod (even if it looked fine) without it being checked by a company like Katech. That would include checking each rod for straightness and big/small roundness. I'd also take out the split wrist pin bushings and have them replaced with solid bushings. ARP bolts would also be installed.

That's just me though...

MTIRC6Z

There is no installation process for ARP (or any rod bolt) in a stock LS7 rod, they just bolt in (ie. they don't have a pressed in stud with a nut). So the only thing required to 'install' ARP bolts is buying them to begin with.

Since stock rod bolts can only be torqued 3 times, new bolts will be required for any build with a used rod.

Cheers, Paul.

Undy

Jason had mentioned that with the standard ARP bolt resizing of the big end was required. He'd also mentioned that the "special" ARP bolts he had limited access to (and was running out of) didn't require resizing. I would assume that meant the "regular" ARP bolts would need pressing/resizing of the big end.

Maybe Jason could chime in on the subject.

Katech_Zach

The "special" bolts you are referring to were Katech rod bolts my by A1 Technologies. They have gone out of business and we are no longer able to get them.

MTIRC6Z

ARP bolts (part#234-6302) swap directly in place of the stock bolts, but they do bring the rod weight up to 466gr from 464. I'm currently running them in my Z and have a second set of bolts for the ti rods Jason recently sold me to go into my big bore/stock stroke V.

Cheers, Paul.

KLLRVET

I sent mine to Crower since Ka**ch was NO help at all. Crower sells titanium rods, so they know a thing or two about them. They are a good place to send them for inspection.

Michael_D

Why were they "no help at all"? PM me if you prefer.

Crower has been my "go to" company for decades. They make great products and have always been there when I need help. What all did they do to your rods?