LS rebuild questions

[Vaughn3031]

I picked up a 5.3 LM7, and going to give the bottom end a rebuild. I know the head bolts cant be re-used, but what about the rod and main bolts?

 

[Garrett1982]

I picked up a 5.3 LM7, and going to give the bottom end a rebuild. I know the head bolts cant be re-used, but what about the rod and main bolts?

I think they can be re-used, at least that was the consensus on ls1tech.com

 

[Vaughn3031]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[85GPLef41]

thought the rod bolts were the weak link??

 

[Garrett1982]

thought the rod bolts were the weak link??

I've read that was pre-2000 that had rod bolt problems. There are plenty of opinions on replacing rod bolts or using stockers at ls1tech.com. Some say to get the arp's and some say the stock ones will live under high rpms and power. Then resizing the rod bores when replacing the bolts. Some do and some don't. I just answered the original question if they can be re-used. The answer is yes, but there is a lot to think about. I personnally don't even know what I am going to go with yet. My LY6 is at my uncle's engine shop and I didn't get to talk to him about it yet. I already have the arp head bolts. I think I might just get the rod bolts to be safe. I will just see what he says.

 

[Vaughn3031]

thanks! i've had a shop look at my engine and i was lucky it only needs a bottle hone, so i was just going to do a refresh of the bottom end bearings rings etc. and i wasn't sure if the main & rod bolts were torque to yeild or not

 

[85GPLef41]

I am planning a H/C/I swap in a few months and will leave the stock 99 rod bolts unless I get some Katech which supposedly don't need resizing... I've also read as long as the rpm's stay at a reasonable rpm then I should be fine! under 6200..... hmmm may be I need to upgrade!!

 

[Garrett1982]

I am planning a H/C/I swap in a few months and will leave the stock 99 rod bolts unless I get some Katech which supposedly don't need resizing... I've also read as long as the rpm's stay at a reasonable rpm then I should be fine! under 6200..... hmmm may be I need to upgrade!!

I haven't seen the Katech rod bolts for a while. I think they discontinued them. Not on their website.

 

[GBodyscuffle]

The rods and rod bolts can be reused if you need to, they are good to around 600hp or so reliably. But it is preferred you upgrade if you plan for high than 600. Dont go past stock revs and youll be okay.

 

[Garrett1982]

The rods and rod bolts can be reused if you need to, they are good to around 600hp or so reliably. But it is preferred you upgrade if you plan for high than 600. Dont go past stock revs and youll be okay.

According to the "How to rebuild GM LS-series engines" book that I have, it states that the factory pistons will fail before the rods or the rod bolts, but they are all very strong. If you are getting new rod bearings, I would get the ARP rod bolts and get the Clevite +.02 rod bearings, then get the rods resized. I am probably going to do this because I will be over 600hp and will be shifting at 7000rpm.