I dont think Ill be able to get $800 for a set of JE or weisco pistons and rods so I was considering just getting JE pistons and put them on the factory stock rods since the only engine damage I get ever is broken ring lands after time,So would this be ok to do and how much boost estimated could our stock rods handle,Let me know if this is a bad idea because its just a thought,I was thinkin if are stock rods can handle upwards of 14 psi Ill just do this setup and skip buying aftermarket forged connecting rods?

You can put the JE pistons on Stock Rods but you will have to have the rods machined for a floating piston Wrist pin. As far as power they can handle....there were reports of 19psi but that one person failed to give details such as the size of turbo and the qulaity of tune so its very hard to say what they will hold. With alack of such details its hard to give that person any credit as well. This was over 5 years back. His motor did let go but no idea what failed.

Do yourself a favor and just save up until you can get yourself a set of rods too. You will nbe kicking yourself in the ass if one of the rods fails down the road. And cmon, we all know you are gonna want to run more boost after some time. Make sure now that you will have the internal components to do so

http://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=16&topic_id=115879&mesg_id=115879#115879

yea. i'm sorry, if i were doing the engine, why wouldnt you just do the rods too? its only 300 or so more. taking a stupid chance not to add em

I'm in the process of putting JE 10.5 comp pistons on stock rods (bored out stock rod). I may be putting boost to that as well. I'm comfortable enough to run our rods up to 250whp (that's the "general concensus" number for our stock rods. Which I would venture to say is on the low side).

Now with that being said, I also know that IF something goofy should happen, I've got no problem taking the hit and fixing it up. But like I said, I'm comfortable at 250whp with our rods.

Your choice, your roll of the dice.......

Bill Hahn is the one who's done the most R&D on how far you can push the stock rods. IIRC, the number where stress fractures began to be seen was around 300hp. So many other variables at play here, but I'd stay under that power rating and you'd be okay with stock rods

The stock rods are the weakest part of the 420a. Only 2 motors were made with the "pressed steel" or powdered metal which is the 420a and the 4.6L ford engine. Your best bet is to get forged rods. If you dont have the money for that, Then buy a 2.4 420a out of a cloud car, go to the chrysler dealership and buy the srt-4 rods and pistons for $300.

Originally posted by cjackson2802
buy a 2.4 420a out of a cloud car

2.4's are not 420a motors.

Powdered rods are extremely strong, they also come in the ls series gm engines, dodge magnum engines, They are rated at 650 hp on a small block chevy I ran them in my dirt track car for two years with no problems. id say maybe 350 hp max on stock 420a rods.

Originally posted by Raine883
Powdered rods are extremely strong, they also come in the ls series gm engines, dodge magnum engines, They are rated at 650 hp on a small block chevy

They're also nearly twice the size and there's twice as many of them in a smallblock. We're talking about a 4 banger here that makes power in a completely different rev range and deals with different stresses.