D16Y8 Stock Piston Rod Quality

[Montagnard184]

I have been looking for answers on this site about this, but could find them. I am sure the answer exists, but I'm installing the engine right now and so need a quick answer before setup. Thanks.

I have heard that the stock rods on the D16Y8 are pretty strong and the engine itself is pretty bullet proof. Common answers indicate that a stock D16Y8 can take about 8 PSI and about 200 WHP. I plan on going beyond that. Anyway, the engine is already built, except for one thing.....I have stock D16Y8 pistons rods. The rest is good to go i.e. ARP headstuds, Cometic MLS gasket, CP Forged pistons, etc....

Most importnant, I had Jeff Koerner, from Koerner racing engines, build my little D16Y8. This guy is sick (in a good way). You can look him up if you like; he's very well known in the big bore racing world and has done very well in national build competitions. But I digress.......what can my lil' ol' stock rods handle? I don't plan on going over 350 whp, but never say never.

 

[Trekk]

Stock rods suck and bend around 12psi on a small turbo and in the low 200whp. They are the major weak link and really the reason you build the motor.. The dam things are as thick as my ring finger, what kind of forces is that going to hold up to?

 

[Montagnard184]

OK. I guess I will have to prep for that. Thanks.

 

[MistahJuice]

How did u buy forged pistons but not think about the rods until now lol. Grab some forged rods as well and that engine block will be able to take a good amount of boost

 

[Montagnard184]

I did think about it, but that is about it. It is may daily driver and I don't plan on racing it. I just talked to Koerner Racing and they told me that unless I have a rod bearing seizure or water compression, I should be ok. I also asked about (and researched) overpower breaks and found that it is uncommon by itself and is usually accompanied by one of the other problems I mentioned. I will also ask my dad who is an engineer and motorcycle mechanic (yeah, I know) about small displacement / high RPM engines and see what he thinks. Either way, it will be a good experiment and I will update everybody if I blow a rod. I respect all opinions and will likely get some rods in the future.

Yes, I wish I did get them, but I didn't want to find a way to hide even more money from my wife that I spent on a little midget car.

 

[MistahJuice]

Well at least get them shot preened at a machine shop if it's not too expensive. Would be a waste to purchase all this good stuff and build a turbo setup just to have it blow up cuz u cheap out on rods. Like Trekk said d series rods are the weakest link in that engine. 200whp on a stock no prob with a good tune. 250whp with ur mods and a good tune, I'd still be ok. 350whp on stock rods I'd be afraid to drive it. Ticking time bomb waiting to happen. If u really don't want to spend to much more cash I've heard u can use LS rods just need thicker bushings on the piston side I believe. Idk man it's up to u, just google "d16 turbo stock rods" and u can decide if it's worth it.

 

[DarkCreep]

Stock rods blow. Who ever told you a Y8 is bullet proof, delete them from your contact list.


I did 9psi on a .63 trim turbo which put me at 207whp. I did that on stock rods for about a year, I had no issues and the engine is still running today bone stock.



ps: use an OEM head gasket.

 

[Trekk]

You really going to put you trust into these skinny f***ers?

 

[Hecz]

 

[Montagnard184]

Yep.....I'll keep it at around 215 for awhile then put in some Eagle Rods. Thanks. Any dissenting opinions?

 

[DarkCreep]

Always have 4 quarts of oil in the engine.
Never rev past your red line
Get a GOOD dyno tune.
A build is only as good as the tune.
Dont touch the boost controller.
Get solid motor mounts.

 

[MistahJuice]

Yep.....I'll keep it at around 215 for awhile then put in some Eagle Rods. Thanks. Any dissenting opinions?

Good, had me worried there. Hate to see you out all that cash into it then have it blow up on u. Trust me ur wife would be more pissed off if she had to drive you around while u were paying to get ur car fixed lol

 

[Trekk]

I hate to say it but any money you put into your motor is wasted. Your current goal could be done on a 100% stock motor.

I'll be tuned in for the results!

How much they charging for the tune?

 

[DarkCreep]

If your dude is such a legit guy why did he build an engine using stock Y8 rods?

 

[Montagnard184]

Who knows. You can look him up yourself. Maybe you can figure it out. Maybe if I just got the rods, he would have put them in.

 

[Montagnard184]

I talked to the builder and he was very dismissive of your opinions. Though he did say good rods would definitely reduce the chances of damage, he said that the number of overpower breakages was infinitesimal. He went on to tell me how most distortions and breakages came from one locked/frozen bearing and from compressed water. His confidence bordered on cockiness, but I guess you can do that when you are 50 something years old. I guess he really trusts his work and has high regard for his own opinion. Since I don't want to have wasted money, but I also want to get a little more out of my DD until I get this permanently resolved, I may jump up to 250 WHP instead of 215 WHP. Since I rarely let loose, I hope this will be OK. I have ordered some H-beam rods based on your input and will put them in myself this summer, since I am buying a house with a 3rd Garage which I am converting to a workshop. I still value your opinions, so please tell me if pushing 250 whp with a light foot is OK. Thanks.

 

[got traction]

How much did he charge you to modify the rods to use aftermarket pistons?

 

[sohclubkid]

How much did he charge you to modify the rods to use aftermarket pistons?

exactly my thought as well... kinda a waste of money if you ask me.

 

[CodeName_EJ6]

I put 20 psi to a stock singlecam. She's gone now bc not cause she blow.

 

[Trekk]

If you make it past the dyno tune you should be ok.