Not really. Loads of other makes out there run high torque figures without the engine exploding. My astra VXR was running 295bhp/350lbft without any rod issues.
Crank and pistons are as far as im aware but the rods are not! ive even been told before they are the same rods from as far back as the mk2/3 golfs !!
Pistons are that's it
Crank is forged aswell. Rods aren't.
900 all inc roughly fitted by a garage cheaper if you do it your self
Yes lol mine let go replaced on my drive tho parts came to 1500-1600
Fited build by a mate for 350
Perhaps the notion that '300lb-ft is fine' for an LCR stems from the Mk2 Focus ST?
Mountune offers a Ford-backed 295lb-ft remap (+ air filter and intercooler upgrade) that did not/does not invalidate Ford's warranty.
No idea whether or not the ST's rods are forged, although perhaps it's worth considering that the ST has a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre motor to dissipate the 295lb-ft load? (But, allegedly, the ST's drive-shafts can't handle 295lb-ft medium- to long-term.)
Wtf rods don't cause a missfire if bent they will knock and have a tapping sound , so you don't need a compression test