Forged Bottom end
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Forged Bottom end
Just doing research for my potential build once the car is paid off. One route I would like to take is an all motor build. I'd like for a weekend cruiser that can take the abuse of upwards of 450rwhp. I am looking at some forged rotating assemblies and I am not completely familiar with all of the companies. I've heard good things about Eagle and I see that they produce a forged crank and rods. There are a few companies that make forged pistons though. Is there any one company to stay away from? Any bad builds directly resulted with using these parts from a particular manufacturer? Thanks for the help guys.
-Alex
-Alex
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I am in the process of building a new forged and stroked LSX engine. I am using a Callies Dragon Slayer crank, Diamond coated piston, and Callies I-Beam rods. I am building a 454 cubic inch engine that I am expecting to push 1000 RWHP with a good supercharger.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
You can easily get a reliable 450 rwhp out of a stock LS1 shortblock. According to the dyno I tested on, my stock 346 shortblock is putting down 470 rwhp and it now has 206k miles on it. Add some good heads (AFR or Trickflow) and mid to upper 22x° duration cam and supporting intake and headers and you will have your power goals. Of course if you want to build for the future, then do the forged shortblock, and I would suggest adding some volume with a 4" stroke crankshaft. The Eagle parts are considered bottom shelf, budget forgings, with CompStar maybe rated slightly higher. Both brands will serve well in street driven hot rods. For very high, boosted power you need to step up to domestic forgings like Callies, Lunati, Crower, etc. Both Diamond and Wiseco make excellent LS pistons.
When I built my 408, I ended up buying a forged rotating assembly from Texas Speed. You can save some money when buying the entire rotating assembly at one time. Keep in mind you will need to shell out some more money to balance it.
When I built my 408, I ended up buying a forged rotating assembly from Texas Speed. You can save some money when buying the entire rotating assembly at one time. Keep in mind you will need to shell out some more money to balance it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Excellent replies guys! And yes I would consider the build with a later possibility of forced induction. However, I love the brute force and idea of a ***** out SBC. Also I would like to keep my automatic and upgrade that to a level 4 with RPM. Actually before the build would start obviously. Thanks again, keep the responses and information coming
-Alex
-Alex
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
What Chevy406 thinks is that he has rarely seen or heard of Eagle cranks or h-beam rods breaking. But then again, how many stock GM LS1 cranks have you seen or heard of breaking? The difference in budget cranks and higher end forgings is evident in balance and weight. It's not that the Eagle and Compstar can't handle 1000 hp, but that their extra weight stresses the main caps, block, and bearings. I used Eagle in my nitrous SBC up to 700 whp with zero problems. I am now using Compstar in my 408, but it is untested at this point. I use the parts that will acheive my power goals and budget. These "budget" rotating assemblies will work just fine for most of us "street" guys.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
What Chevy406 thinks is that he has rarely seen or heard of Eagle cranks or h-beam rods breaking. But then again, how many stock GM LS1 cranks have you seen or heard of breaking? The difference in budget cranks and higher end forgings is evident in balance and weight. It's not that the Eagle and Compstar can't handle 1000 hp, but that their extra weight stresses the main caps, block, and bearings. I used Eagle in my nitrous SBC up to 700 whp with zero problems. I am now using Compstar in my 408, but it is untested at this point. I use the parts that will acheive my power goals and budget. These "budget" rotating assemblies will work just fine for most of us "street" guys.
. When giving advice limit it to what you actually know through working knowledge and not based on what you may have read.Edit, OP make your own decision as to what product meets your intended goals. All I can say is that Eagle will be a reliable (better than perceived) stroker assembly at a reasonable cost. No additional post will be forthcoming on this tread.
Last edited by 98vettedave; Oct 13, 2010 at 06:56 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
Wow - a lot of pent-up hostility my friend. If you will slow down and re-read my post you will see that I was agreeing with you, based on my "racing experience" with Eagle products.
I'll refrain from any negative comments. I suspect you simply misread my post as a personal attack, and for that I appologize.
Originally Posted by Chevy406
..rarely seen or heard of Eagle cranks or h-beam rods breaking
Originally Posted by Chevy406
It's not that the Eagle and Compstar can't handle 1000 hp...
Originally Posted by Chevy406
I used Eagle in my nitrous SBC up to 700 whp with zero problems
Originally Posted by Chevy406
These "budget" rotating assemblies will work just fine for most of us "street" guys.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
FWIW: I've been running an Eagle crank and rods for a while now. First with the 403. When VA Speed recently built the 427 Shawn reused the crank and rods because they were in great shape. Trust me, he wouldn't have if they were the least bit suspect. The 403 made 530/480 NA and the 427 is 577/530. Shawn did rebalance it for the 427 pistons. Infact, he balanced it with the flywheel and clutch attached which is a pretty neat trick.
Just my $.02
I forgot if your car was boosted or not.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Its who builds them that makes the difference and how some parts get bad raps and some don't. Some have closer tolerances when leaving the factory and are less work for the builder... but your avg joe shmo garage expert doesn't have the machinery to be able to build it properly so they call the part junk. Then tuning tuning tuning...LOL Parts get a bad rap because they can't defend themselves against armchair experts..LOL
LSX, LS7 or what?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12