If budget allowed replacement of only one, which would be a better upgrade on a 95% street car?

Aftermarket Rods

or

Aftermarket Crankshaft?

 

Rod bolts is THE weak link

After that, the crank

 

So, stock rods with good bolts, and a crank?

 

What's the rest of the combo?

 

No combo yet, just tossing up ideas.


I was planning on building a nitrous motor for the 3rd gen, but got a new project car (1967 Firebird convertable), so I am think of just doing a mild rebuild for the 3rd gen, so I can drive it while building the 67.


Right now, I have fully ported, milled, L98 heads, with H-11 valvesprings, 1.6 rollers, 3 angle vavle job, etc.

Holley Stealth Ram, ported, 52mm TB. Hedman headers, y pipe.


I have another complete engine from a truck to rebuild.

I am thinking about reusing the top end. (heads have no miles on them, just got it all back together.) getting some good forged pistons, cam, etc... replacing rods, or crank. Just a standard rebuild for the most part.

 

In order of weakness:


Stock rod bolts and main bolts

Stock Rods

Stock Crank

 

I know a guy who had a 2-bolt 350 with all the stock internals in it with ARP hardware. He hit this motor with a 200 shot for like 5 years and was well into the 10's in a heavy car... I'm not talking spraying once in a blue moon either. he sprayed this thing almost every weekend. When it finally broke it was the stock crank that snapped in half.

Just some food for thought. We'll see how far I can take my 4-bolt studded main 350 (trw forged pistons, mystery brand i-beam rods, and eagle cast steel crank) motor on nitrous as soon as I get off my lazy behind and finish installing the kit.