im rebuilding a 93 5.0 (302), im going to use the stock crank, i want to buy forged pistons, i was wondering what you people think stock 302 rods can handle?? because forged h beam rods are a little out of my budget right now.. i got afr 185 heads on order.. any other suggestions...

 

What kind of power and rpms are you planing to run that will help figure out if the stock I beams can handle it. I'm not sure about stock but aftermarket I beam can handle up to around 450 hp.

 

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+1 I have read that the stock rods are pretty good when the rod bolts are upgraded.

 

hey scott...explain shot peened rods???
apparently mine were done...sounds cool. never understood what it meant tho

 

Basically you stick the rods in a rotating cylinder full of steel shot. As the shot pounds the exterior of the metal it relieves the stress in the grain structure, increasing the strength of the metal. The detailed explanation is kinda complicated metallurgical speak, but that's the general idea

 

You can get decent 4340 forged I beams that'll take more than the block will for like $200-300. I'd do that just to go with a floating pin setup, I dunno if I'd want to put boost on a non floating pin if you're gonna be pushing the limits of the block, but that's just me. Find out what it costs to get your rods improved, then go with what costs less.