What is the engines weakest length?

[staticpike]

Reference 98 3.8 A4

Whats the 3 weakest links in our engines? I mean what keeps us from upping the shot? Let's assume the fuel system is adequate for whatever shot I'm running and that I'm not concerned about a backfire (for ease of pain, let's say direct port or NOSzle...).

What part of the engine is going first (on a stock configuration, well running engine) Is it the crank? The pistons? Do the heads not flow enough? The valves? The rings? Whats going to go first if I up the shot with enough fuel?

[ November 28, 2003: Message edited by: staticpike ]</p>

[Nachius]

I'm pretty sure the weakest link due to past experiences people here have had are the pistons!

From there I don't know what is next!

[SkAchilles]

Pistons, rods, then crank I guess. The block is pleanty strong. For me, the rod bearings went first.

[staticpike]

Damn,

I kinda figured you guys were going to say stuff like that. I was hoping that with a new top end (heads, valve-train, cam) that I'd be able to pick up the shot a little (but apparently not).

I have done some research into building the bottom side of the motor for more nitrous, but I don't for see that in my near future unfortunately... [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img]

[Skinny]

I would think that pushrods are likely to fail as well... maybe even before pistons, etc. Another thing to look at is the bearings on the bottom end.

[WickEdSix9838]

pushrods wont fail before the bottom end...the bottom end is what gets most of the stress from nitrous, especially the pistons, then rods, then the crank...

[SkAchilles]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Skinny:
Another thing to look at is the bearings on the bottom end.<hr></blockquote>


Thats what died in mine.

[bobrules]

Piston ring gap is crucial on forced induction, ring land stress is a big issue. I think normal ring gap on an NA motor is like .02-.032, you normally add .02-.03 more ring gap when you go FI.

Chevy rods are pretty stout pieces, its normally hit or miss when it comes to throwing a rod...forged pieces are just a piece of mind issue. I'd worry about cooking the piston. Good fuel delivery is key.

[12secondv6]

piston rings
pistons

[Tyler]

you guys forgot about the clutch.. if you have a manual...

[ReodDai]

clutch isn't part of the engine but your right must have a nice clutch or you'll fry it easily.

[CockyV6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 12secondv6:
piston rings
pistons<hr></blockquote>

And valves. They are in the combustion chamber like the other two. The intense heat generated will fry just about anything not prepeared for it.

The rings will deffanately go because they are trying to keep all that pressure in.

The valves are ground down to where they are really thin on the edges. That kind of heat will burn those suckers up pretty easily. Not to mention of the valve being made smaller to the point where the engine sucks a valve, :eek: :( which basicly sucks.

Then we all know what can happen to the piston its self. Holes comepletely burnt through and what not.

Not to mention a combination of all any two or all three.

I didnt mention fouled plugs because compared to the other three thats a relitivly easy fix.

[hawgs]

the floor pans...

[ReodDai]

damn floor pans.. always falling out when I hit the gas..

[Runnin-SAtown]

Pistons, then Rods, then crank...however i think someone said on another board that the stock crank is physically rated to about 500HP... dont remember where, but i do remember that he got that from some professional chevy technicionish person [img]tongue.gif[/img]