What is with Rod Bearings dying? - Page 3 - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Import Power · 01-01-2008, 01:35 PM

Yes, T4 and T2 uses Pauter rods and Ross/3SX pistons.
I weighed them once and they were within a gram of each other. But can't remember what the weight was. I think I have it written down somewhere. I will look tomorrow.

As for oil capacity. I run the stock pan/pump and never spun or even pounded/flattened a bearing (rod or main) on T4 whilel making 800+ AWHP for months on end on many track runs and dyno pulls. So I don't think it's that.
I have 98K on my 91 VR4 and she is still running great with great oil pressure.
VSS leak like a sob but that's another subject.

StealthTT93 · 01-01-2008, 02:26 PM

What kind of engine oil was used on the car? It definitely sounds like an oiling issue

Patryn · 01-01-2008, 03:10 PM

10w-40w full synthetic.

StealthTT93 · 01-01-2008, 03:36 PM

There have been quite a few cases of brand new Mitsubishi oil pump failures lately. It's worth checking out this possibility. Check to see if your oil pan is bent. That can cause your oil pick up tube to suck air. Some stupid mechanics like to suspend the car on jacks right there on the oil pan

Having a rod bearing fail that soon is by far not a regular occurence. There are lots of us that have done rebuilds years ago and we still beat the crap out of these cars without issues.

Patryn · 01-01-2008, 03:49 PM

Oil pan isn't bent, I do 90% of my own work, and most of the time if someone else touches it I'm right over the top of them. Oil pump held pressure according to the guage. You know the last time I had someone touch my car, dumbass tried to jack the transmission up into the car on a transmission jack and if fell from about 4-5ft. He didn't appreciate the difficulty of twisting that thing in there, thought he could be smart and do it his way. I was in the back of the shop looking for some chain and an engine hoist to do it right, but the shop mechanic decided to take some initiative.

On a side note what short block options do I have out there? IPS has some good deals, Grooms has the lifetime warranty, any other goodies out there?

StealthTT93 · 01-01-2008, 04:05 PM

Since you're looking into all kinds of possibilities - a bent crank can wipe out a rod/main bearing but this is very rare and I'd still put my money on an oiling issue. The oiling system is the Achilles heel of these cars, right out of the factory. Sadly, this is easily confirmed by the numerous 3S's that spin bearings in completely stock form.

Patryn · 01-01-2008, 04:10 PM

Thats what I think as well. I've seen weak oil pumps putting out about 10 psi, and that worthless stock oil pressure gauge is well worthless. Anyways, I'm waiting for Grooms to get back with me to see if the mods they make to the block do indead fix oiling issues around the bearings. Probably just call them tomorrow. 3SX has my car so they may have a fix to the oiling issues in there own process, since they do a lot of R&D on our platform. Anyways, trying to scope out how to bullet proof that lower end. I just don't want to break the bank on this one, as I'm not able to do my own work at my current location.

ruben2566 · 01-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Import Power

Yes, T4 and T2 uses Pauter rods and Ross/3SX pistons.
I weighed them once and they were within a gram of each other. But can't remember what the weight was. I think I have it written down somewhere. I will look tomorrow.

As for oil capacity. I run the stock pan/pump and never spun or even pounded/flattened a bearing (rod or main) on T4 whilel making 800+ AWHP for months on end on many track runs and dyno pulls. So I don't think it's that.
I have 98K on my 91 VR4 and she is still running great with great oil pressure.
VSS leak like a sob but that's another subject.

How often did you change the rod bearings on all those runs and pulls? What weight oil did the engine have? It has to have a light weight oil for gravity to drain back quickly to the sump at high rpm.

chargerx3 · 01-01-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91vr4n00maxima

diluted oil and possible out of round rod due to previous failure.

i agree and belive it is far overlooked.

i also tend to worry if our cars have bad karma, or that some of you 3si guys are just shady mechanics that dont know it yet...No offence intended.

Patryn · 01-01-2008, 08:34 PM

I think mechanics are a large part to blame to, because they aren't familar with these cars. While I was in pensacola, had friend of mine take his car to get a rod bearing replaced, well the mechanic just took the oil pan off, put a new bearing on there and thought he was done, bearing spun about 20 miles later. No suprise there, but this guy was a pretty respected corvette tuner, so not sure why he didn't check to see if the crank was scuffed to badly.

01-01-2008, 01:35 PM	#21 (permalink)
Import Power Play that Funky Music Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Behind the Wheel Drives: Vicki Insane Trader Rating: (209)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? Yes, T4 and T2 uses Pauter rods and Ross/3SX pistons. I weighed them once and they were within a gram of each other. But can't remember what the weight was. I think I have it written down somewhere. I will look tomorrow. As for oil capacity. I run the stock pan/pump and never spun or even pounded/flattened a bearing (rod or main) on T4 whilel making 800+ AWHP for months on end on many track runs and dyno pulls. So I don't think it's that. I have 98K on my 91 VR4 and she is still running great with great oil pressure. VSS leak like a sob but that's another subject. __________________ AEM Factory Trained Tuner T4 AWD 9.21 @ 154.98 T2 FWD 10.19 @ 140.31 T4-159.23 MPH Ran on 6G72 3.1L! T4-995AWHP Uncorrected 6G72 3.0L C16 T2-820FWHP 3.1L 27psi C16 91VR4 Red-17Gs w/supporting mods-sold 93SLTT/T2 91VR4 Pearl White-sold 91VR4 Black-sold 92VR4 Sandstone-sold 94VR4 Green-sold 93VR4 Pearl White-sold 91VR4 Black-5027s-3.0L-Stock heads and Cams- 625AWHP 557AWTQ uncorrected 24psi 102 octane Daily Driver 3SX Performance 3SX Performance Service Email

01-01-2008, 02:26 PM	#22 (permalink)
StealthTT93 Waterfall chairman Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Varna, Bulgaria Drives: Fast Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? What kind of engine oil was used on the car? It definitely sounds like an oiling issue __________________ Doctors say alcohol is your enemy, God says love your enemy

01-01-2008, 03:10 PM	#23 (permalink)
Patryn Forum Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Walnut Hill, FL. Esc Drives: 3000gt VR4 Trader Rating: (17)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? 10w-40w full synthetic. __________________ 1998 VR4: SS Downpipe, Borla Cat-Back, Open Element Air Filter, ACPT CFDS, DN Intake Pipes, Front & Rear Strut Tower Bars, Deftracing 575 Hood, Blitz DSBC, Vacum Redution, Krank Vents, KOYO Aluminum Radiator

01-01-2008, 03:36 PM	#24 (permalink)
StealthTT93 Waterfall chairman Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Varna, Bulgaria Drives: Fast Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? There have been quite a few cases of brand new Mitsubishi oil pump failures lately. It's worth checking out this possibility. Check to see if your oil pan is bent. That can cause your oil pick up tube to suck air. Some stupid mechanics like to suspend the car on jacks right there on the oil pan Having a rod bearing fail that soon is by far not a regular occurence. There are lots of us that have done rebuilds years ago and we still beat the crap out of these cars without issues. Last edited by StealthTT93 : 01-01-2008 at 03:41 PM.

01-01-2008, 03:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
Patryn Forum Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Walnut Hill, FL. Esc Drives: 3000gt VR4 Trader Rating: (17)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? Oil pan isn't bent, I do 90% of my own work, and most of the time if someone else touches it I'm right over the top of them. Oil pump held pressure according to the guage. You know the last time I had someone touch my car, dumbass tried to jack the transmission up into the car on a transmission jack and if fell from about 4-5ft. He didn't appreciate the difficulty of twisting that thing in there, thought he could be smart and do it his way. I was in the back of the shop looking for some chain and an engine hoist to do it right, but the shop mechanic decided to take some initiative. On a side note what short block options do I have out there? IPS has some good deals, Grooms has the lifetime warranty, any other goodies out there?

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01-01-2008, 04:05 PM	#26 (permalink)
StealthTT93 Waterfall chairman Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Varna, Bulgaria Drives: Fast Trader Rating: (0)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? Since you're looking into all kinds of possibilities - a bent crank can wipe out a rod/main bearing but this is very rare and I'd still put my money on an oiling issue. The oiling system is the Achilles heel of these cars, right out of the factory. Sadly, this is easily confirmed by the numerous 3S's that spin bearings in completely stock form.

01-01-2008, 04:10 PM	#27 (permalink)
Patryn Forum Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Walnut Hill, FL. Esc Drives: 3000gt VR4 Trader Rating: (17)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? Thats what I think as well. I've seen weak oil pumps putting out about 10 psi, and that worthless stock oil pressure gauge is well worthless. Anyways, I'm waiting for Grooms to get back with me to see if the mods they make to the block do indead fix oiling issues around the bearings. Probably just call them tomorrow. 3SX has my car so they may have a fix to the oiling issues in there own process, since they do a lot of R&D on our platform. Anyways, trying to scope out how to bullet proof that lower end. I just don't want to break the bank on this one, as I'm not able to do my own work at my current location.

01-01-2008, 08:34 PM	#30 (permalink)
Patryn Forum Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Walnut Hill, FL. Esc Drives: 3000gt VR4 Trader Rating: (17)	Re: What is with Rod Bearings dying? I think mechanics are a large part to blame to, because they aren't familar with these cars. While I was in pensacola, had friend of mine take his car to get a rod bearing replaced, well the mechanic just took the oil pan off, put a new bearing on there and thought he was done, bearing spun about 20 miles later. No suprise there, but this guy was a pretty respected corvette tuner, so not sure why he didn't check to see if the crank was scuffed to badly.