300lb-ft on standard rods is the 'limit'? think again.

[Steely]

Logically as the mk4 platform etc are getting older , this is going to become far more common, Nailing it from low rpm in higher gears will also be a deciding factor!

 

[Raks]

True say

 

[ibizacupra]

I thought the rods were forged as standard in the LCR??

sadly

 

[6th.replicant]

Where's the notion that 300lb-ft is OK for LCRs originate - I mean, holy crap, the engine was specc'ed for 200lb-ft, so who came up with the bright idea that 300 is fine??

Should be named and shamed. And 'dealt with'...

 

[big eck]

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.

 

[psjunkie]

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.

Higher quality rods at a guess?

 

[Ronin225]

Its not only the high torque levels but regular and proper servicing comes in too
I have a 2000 S3 (APY) with 92k when i bought it it was overdue a service and had engine problems
After stripping today this is what we found

Dirty oil full of contaminents blocking lubrication point on crank, causing no lube and resulting in overheating and failure
Just some food for thought

 

[Raks]

Thats nasty ****.

I always good with oil changes, do them on the regular.

 

[air121005]

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.

its the rods that are the weak component.......seem to remember RobDon only replacing the rods when he rebuilt his engine!

 

[Wolvo-Oleg]

This threads scary!! kinda of wish I hadn't it read it

 

[billyhas]

900 all inc roughly fitted by a garage cheaper if you do it your self

I take it this cost is for replacement before the rods actually let go.I would imagine considerably more if you've got a hole in the crankcase

 

[Murdered LCR]

Yes lol mine let go replaced on my drive tho parts came to 1500-1600
Fited build by a mate for 350

 

[nally270lb.TQE]

Yes lol mine let go replaced on my drive tho parts came to 1500-1600
Fited build by a mate for 350

christ thats just under what i paid for car. should most garages do compression tests or only specific places?

 

[Dan1720v]

You can buy a compression tester for £30

 

[CupraTim]

I am having very similar symptoms and now getting a little scared! Im getting cylinder 3 misfire - changed the coil packs, changed the spark plugs, cleaned all the wiring, still misfiring. I need a compression test - now I'm worried it could be the rods :/

 

[Murdered LCR]

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

 

[Dan1720v]

The s3 the original pic came from had a misfire.

 

[6th.replicant]

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.)

 

[andypandypoos]

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.)

unlikely as the idea pre-dates the ST

 

[Steely]

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

It is possible , a bent rod will pull a piston short of its original TDC lowering its original claimed compression & causing a missfire, which on a lower compression forced induction engine is more apparent a bad thing!