Autopsy - Why did our 800 WHP Ameri-Barra Vortec 4200 Blow Up?

Today we disect our blown up 800hp Turbo Ameri-Barra Vortec 4200 DOHC VVT Inline 6 Trailblazer Engine which we ran in our 1983 Ford Fairmont Futura. We recently Dyno tested the engine and we pushed it to the limit breaking a connecting rod and blowing up the engine. The best part of a Dyno Fail is the stuff you learn from it.
Thanks for watching!!

[@richb.4374]

I'm impressed that a stock bottom end inline 6 banger can make that much horsepower before letting go. The Vortec 4200 is a beast!

[@shadowopsairman1583]

@@jackdaniels2657 he found the max it can handle before putting aftermarket parts in. So 700-750 on SBE is pretty good for a Truck Engine

[@ferrumignis]

@@jackdaniels2657 Tell us how you really feel son. You will not get e.g. an LS1 to 1000bhp on stock internals, and how much does a used LS cost compared to the Vortec?

[@nomjasdk]

@@jackdaniels2657 - So why is it that we don't see your name on top of every leader board winning races with your lsx powered turbo car? Where are all the videos YOU are making on the topic of engine tuning? You seem just about as exciting as watching grass grow...

[@ferrumignis]

@@jackdaniels2657 a) The LS1 will do the same as this engine if you try to get 1000bhp with no internal upgrades. b) You cannot pickup a good LS engine for $400 anywhere, not even the iron truck engines. They are fetching stupid money now.

[@nomjasdk]

@@jackdaniels2657 Exactly. You don't need shiny stuff to make horsepower, which is the theme of this YT channel. :D

[@Faolan161]

The piston delete programs surely help define the boundaries... Impressive hp for stock bottom end!!!

[@danielcarroll5667]

Sorry I missed the live stream , you guys just saved some People a lot of headaches with your "science project" I love your builds and the way you all approach things , I also appreciate that you share your hard earned , no b.s. knowledge with everyone , thank you !

[@GIGABACHI]

I look forward to the FORGED rods and pistons Combo. For now it seems like the immediate weak links. The ATLAS never cease to amaze. LONG LIVE THE ORPHANED, DARK HORSE ATLAS. 🤘😎🤘

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I'm looking forward to it as well. Thanks!

[@cbeer9824]

This has been one of my favorite builds to watch.. has me seriously considering using one of these in a project

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Do it!

[@imacaryay7628]

Same

[@michaelblacktree]

I watched the livestream the other day. It's cool how the whole family is involved in the project.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks for tuning in. We'll definitely be doing more soon.

[@Jack-im2wd]

If you ain't bendin', you ain't sendin'! On a more serious note, I've been waiting for you to find the limit on this for a while. It's good to hear that the first weak point you found wasn't the crank, since that's what I've heard (anecdotally, albeit). Love what you guys do with these motors, hope to get one of my own going someday!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks! We'll keep pushing them further in the meantime.

[@thomasjbaker7688]

The beat of that first tune played bears a striking resemblance to a 38 special tune "Hold on Loosely". In the case of your 4200,,, a little too loosely!!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It does, you're right. Just clicked.

[@Str8sixfan]

Very nice break down of a break down after the big break down

[@frankk.varner4924]

I love what you guys are doing, are really loved the cameo appearance made by my car in the live stream.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks!

[@mikebell9166]

Well now... a truly ventilated block, held together by the top deck webbing and good luck. Your comment about 200 passes at 700 hp, rather than 3 at 800, makes sense. That argues that with regular maintenance, 300-350 hp indefinitely seems doable. It's making me reconsider my choice of an old 250 inline. Not nearly as strong running, and gets worse mileage. Thanks for documenting this; it'll help lots of people who are considering the Atlas. "Once again, quality breakage from the Nelson boys!" Good job on the autopsy!

[@supercuda1950]

Thank you for telling me about reading the timing on the spark plug. I had never heard that even though I knew about reading color. If you keep teaching me I will eventually be a "know it all" lol. Don't throw that block away; I think a little bondo will fix that! lol Thanks for the great video.

[@BigFun4Life]

Very impressive how much power it made and how long it actually lasted..Thanks for sharing….

[@miltonbanner4871]

Love the content on the 4200. Unfortunately I can't use one in my sunbird...looking forward to seeing what you can do with the 2900

[@my357mags]

Darn...I missed your livestream...next time! Enjoy your videos that's for sure! Thumbs up!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. I'll try to make it a little more scheduled next time. Pay attention to my Instagram for an announcement.

[@xozindustries7451]

I can’t wait to see what rods and pistons will handle

[@knuckshaft]

I look forward to keeping up on this. I’ve got a car I’m willing to drop one in and see what I can do with it.

[@NecromancerGarage]

That's a crazy amount of power for such wimpy looking connecting rods. That's impressive.

[@chrishemphill3537]

I really like your videos on the 4.2L . I'm a fan of the 4.2L. I have a 04 Envoy, totally stock, though I have been thinking about a turbo. I worked as a technician at a GM dealership for 33 years and I have seen pistons break like that at 2000 RPM cruising down the highway. I just really feel like you had a piston failure and everything else was collateral damage.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. I have a hard time believing that. All the other pistons were mint. I could be totally wrong. 824whp is nothing to be ashamed of.

[@wymple09]

I have the 4200 in my 06 Trailblazer. It's one of the very finest engines I've ever had the pleasure of owning.

[@sumnerpatterson8815]

Great videos on the 4200. I was going to use a destroked one (down to 3 liter) in a Bonneville lakester and had a flywheel made for it so I could run a G-Force transmission behind it. At 78 I'm giving up on the project. Trying to get in touch with someone who could put the flywheel to use. Also have blank billet cam cores for the I4 which I was going to use at first along with 2 transmission adapters for the I4/I5 to stock GM transmissions and a couple exhaust header flanges for the I4. Not looking to make any real money off of this stuff would just like to find a home for it where it might get used. I'm not on Facebook and couldn't find an email address for you guys so thought I'd try this way. Great work that you are doing with the 4200. Sumner

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Sorry to hear you are giving up on the project. Shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@jeffreydanek7945]

The thing to really inspect here is any abnormal markings on the edges (inner/outer) of each pin bore and the rod's pin bore. If they look mint, then it really was folding rods. If there's any marking, even mild, on just the edges, it could have been a deforming pin. Either way forged pistons tend to have better pins - and 800hp on one of the cheapest wrecking yard motors is pretty good. Great job breaking stuff for science!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. Pin bores looked mint.

[@35RSkyline]

Would be cool to see one of these with a build bottom end. Looking forward to that

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It's coming.

[@4BillC]

I can't believe it lived as long as it did! 125 hp per cylinder is definitely a hard limit imo

[@Calvin-Nelson]

For stock rods, I agree. It might take a little bit more, but hopefully Richard Holdener can find that out for us.

[@victorthecarguy3126]

I know it's an old video but it would be interesting to see some more close up views of the broken rod and piston. If the rod looked like a clean fatigue failure or deformed a bit. You're likely right about the rod but it's hard to say without a closer look. Forged pistons and custom rods would be nice but of course blow the budget. It's impressive what you've been able to do with these engines.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. Forged rods and pistons are pretty affordable. I'd rather just upgrade and move on.

[@boostjunkie2320]

the potential for a dohc I6 at 4.2L is insane!!

[@aeromercury_]

Staying updated I’ve got a 2002 Trailblazer wanna see the best way to make this thing make reliable power

[@warrenpuckett4203]

I have been driving since 1965. In all of that time 1 of the 6 V-8s I had made it to 200,000 plus. One made it to 150,000. I had a V-6 but that don't count. It was in a GMC 6500 10 speed. GMC 401 3 of the 3 I-6s made it past 200,000. Maybe one, maybe two did go past 300,000. No way of telling if the the odometer turned 100,000 3 times 2 of the 4 I-4s made it past 300,000. One was a Toyota and the other was Mazda. The current I-6 a Envoy stills runs and the real surprise is the automajic trans still works. There is a high probability the frame will let go before engine. That is probably rare why I-6s are rare in post 1990 American inventory with the exception of Jeep. The one thing that junks a car is engine pooped or you got tired of replacing the transmission. NOW they have the solution. Put them on top of each other and make the repair a decent down payment on a new one. But the biggys. Why are most OTR diesels inline 6s? Could it be that 300,000 miles is only 2 or 3 years of driving?

[@inaNis_]

There’s this one dude with an NA 3700 going to 7500 rpm. Imagining that kinda rpm with a big displacement 5 cylinder and a nicely sized turbo is giving me all kinds of feelings

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

That is literally “taking one for the team” just to find the weak link!

[@shakeydavesr]

And you didn’t have to chew an arm off,,,, AND you can hold your head up high with the memory,,,lol

[@dionrau5580]

Block n Con rod confetti 🎊!!!!.

[@timrayburn2461]

Thanks

[@poindexter9098]

Time for pistons, rods, and a VS7875!!!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It already basically has a VS7875. It has the compressor from a VS7875, but the turbine is from an ebay 7875C. Pistons and rods are on the way.

[@narwhaljones4821]

Love your content Calvin. Being an owner of 3 envoys over the last 18 years, I really enjoy the Atlas builds. Do you buy chance have the link to your coil adapters you made? I have an 02' who is about to get some love and figured I'd throw some new model coils on her. Keep it up bud! Hope to see you sometime in Bradenton Florida!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks! It's been fun developing them. Here's the link www.paccracing.com/store/np7izxbaf18l4lq68bggby17sheoob

[@narwhaljones4821]

@@Calvin-Nelson thanks man. I just put my order in today, #20. You have really motivated me to do an atlas build bud, you answer any and all question In your video and that is such a help for planning all the pieces together. You and your pop get a burnout car together and come to Cleetus and Cars in Bradenton! Love to meet ya bud.

[@Newb_nate]

This guy walked so I could run. 800whp stock bottom end? Insane! Ima go forged internals so that I can sit comfortably at 650hp

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Sounds good!

[@Newb_nate]

@@Calvin-Nelson yea bro I’m still in the process of finding a 4200 so I’ve been watching all your videos getting all the knowledge I can and I haven’t decided on what chassis I’m going to throw this in but I want to put it in something with independent rear suspension bc I want to make a sick drift car. I want people to be like what engine do you have in that thing and when i tell them a Chevy in-line six they’re going to be like do they even make those😂🤣

[@davidgrisco1939]

Calvin, thanks for sharing. Quick question I haven't found elsewhere online. Where / how does the crankcase vent line go through the head. I know it's on the driver side of the head midway, but how is the orifice passage cast in the head? Does it just take a 90 degree passage down through the head and open to the top of the crankcase?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. It goes down.

[@kylecurry6841]

I've always been really inspired by you're efforts to do a stateside "Barra" with the 4.2 Vortec. Are you planning to rebuild and seek custom forged Pistons & Rods this go? Also, for the noticeable bent rods on the other cylinders which didn't completely shatter, do you think the bending of the rods occurred over a period of time and more aggressive tuning, or was it a matter of pushing a high threshold during the session that ended the motor?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. We'll do forged parts in the next one. I think the higher power pulls are what bent them.

[@kylecurry6841]

@@Calvin-Nelson I've never had a motor powerful enough to be shattered by boost, or of one I've been able to do a post teardown of afterwards, but I have torn down a motor after a fair amount of rainwater ingestion in the intake, and found the OEM rods bend from the sudden sharp change in cylinder pressure... It's a trip to see parts that can endure fairly high abuse when they suddenly give in and their failure points are exposed.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

If you can't find rods and pistons for this thing reasonably, look into getting some 3.78 LS pistons and IDK about the rods. You'll still have to bore the block, but the 2.8 and 3.5 4-cyl and 5-cyl versions had that process done from the factory when they became 2.9 and 3.7 respectively. That's going from a 3.66 to 3.76 piston, and well, 3.78 is almost "nothing" bigger, so. No idea what to do on the rods, but if you take some micrometer measurements of the stock ones and cross reference that with various LS rods, you might just luck out on both fronts. Assuming again that you can't find reasonably price Billet or Forged options specific to this platform. Maybe do a home port n polish +combustion chamber balancing while you're at it?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Boring the block more than .005" over is a big no no on these. I really don't like the idea of investing too much into the block when you can just turn up the boost on a stock bore a stroke. So far the stock pistons have not failed us.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

@@Calvin-Nelson Fair enough, keep up the awesome videos! Love seeing innovation in the hot-rodding scene instead of the tired "just put a big pushrod V8 in it"

[@ZeroFoxGarage]

Very cool, wish the 4200 came in something other then the TB chassis.. they can be electrical nightmares. Have you ever thought of trying the Atlas 3700/3500 I5?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks. Me too. Would love to get a hold of a 5 cylinder. They're pricey.

[@shakeydavesr]

@@Calvin-Nelson but after seeing what happened to your block, your almost down to 5 cylinders. ;)

[@b.c4066]

Put some Molnar rods in it, have racetec make a set of pistons and shoot for 1200. Bet the block and crank will take it.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Working on it...

[@colbytyree2592]

Get in touch with Brent lavistad from PFI speed to see if he could help with getting some internals made for this motor

[@mpetersen6]

175k on the block. Good way to go.

[@dilsher12]

Looking forward to 1000whp with rods and pistons

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Me too

[@NatoriousGamePlay]

I would love to see what the 3500/3700 can do. I love me a 5 cylinder. It's amazing what this engine can do. Hopefully it gets more popular so more of an aftermarket develops. I think it will with you leading the charge right now

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Thanks bud!

[@jackmagnium6115]

@@Calvin-Nelson try looking for forged LS pistions that are the same bore as the atlas 4200. that will save you in the long run

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@jackmagnium6115 they did not offer any LS engines that had anything anywhere close to the bore on these engines. Also the pin size would be wrong.

[@Kincentc]

plug reading is spot on. However, "conservative" is entirely dependent on your engines hardware. The timing that creates the heat to anneal the spark plug is creating cyl pressure. A built motor can take a timing mark into the bend and considerably farther, but a SBE just cannot run on the same timing.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Agreed

[@Kincentc]

@@Calvin-Nelson now do it again with 10 more psi :D and maybe a tiny bit less timing. For science. For the Atlas family

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@Kincentc nope. Hoping Richard Holdener can take that on. We'll be putting forged rods in ours.

[@Kincentc]

@@Calvin-Nelson understood. I tried lol. Sorely tempted to snag a 4200 from a yard here in NC(a dime a dozen) and run it on my spare holley ecu. But, no extra chassis.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@Kincentc holley won't run one, unless you put an external trigger wheel, and don't use the VVT

[@ProjectCarTV]

Just get some duck tape and JB Weld and send it

[@Newb_nate]

Holy hell 175k miles !

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Almost all of it was stock, original too.

[@lucaslirette7643]

Is the plan then to try and get some forged rods and pistons then to get more power? Or just stay at 700hp

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Forged rods and pistons an more power.

[@johnrogers4312]

Is there a chance that you could install a weaker head gasket to provide a safer fail than bending a rod at high boost? A blown head gasket is a LOT better than a thrown rod!

[@Jonny_trans]

I think you hurt the rods when it spiked 40 psi.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It's entirely possible. It had the appropriate fuel, and timing, the question is did it actually get loaded up there. I think the converter was still catching up and then it hit boost cut. May have taken the load. Hard to say.

[@plumbs7199]

Looks exactly like a Barra failure!

[@brentmeredith5295]

Only if you use the none turbo stock rods. Gas engine rods and later model turbo rods would handle this sort of power

[@hermatred572]

Nice. I mean not nice but like, nice

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I know what you mean. Lol

[@terrencekyles5051]

I just came up on a 96, 960 wagon and I want to use that engine more than likely along with the 4l60 or 80 whatever came out of the trailblazer that I get the donor engine and transmission from. What do you think about that?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Sounds like fun. They came with 4L60e's, but I know a few folks are making them work.

[@brianhaw9398]

Will a 4l60e from an '03 sierra bolt up to a 4.2 atlas. I'm getting mixed answers. If it will work I may pick up an early 50's Chevy and do my first engine swap

[@Calvin-Nelson]

If the 4L60e has the removable bell housing, you can get the bell housing from a trailblazer and swap it and make it bolt up.

[@bigbaz1159]

Calvin "Stock rods and pistons "Really" I think think you would of guessed that when you try and treble the stock HP.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Definitely wasn't unexpected. You don't know if they'll be reliable at 3 or 3.5 or 4 times factory output until you run it there and see if Uncle Rodney pays a visit. Lol

[@blackericdenice]

Are running 93 with the stock 10 to one compression?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Nope. Ethanol.

[@MJPilote]

H beams and you’ll be much safer. If it grenades on 800hp then you have very little margin on 700hp. Me myself would rather upgrade than have the uncertainty of what if. Other than the weak looking piston and the flimsy rod, that thing looks solid.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I ran another one on ~700 for Midwest Drag week. Did good.

[@vintagetintrader1062]

It’s because it’s not a real Barra ;) love how I can buy a complete Aussie Falcon or Territory Barra powered for under $500 Australian any day of the week. But wish I could buy a 4.8 or 5.3 LS engine:(

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Ok.

[@billchildress9756]

If I was gonna build a Barra I would get Ford version from Australia and run that! It's really ballsy to take a previously enjoyed engine shove over 30lbs extra air and fuel in it and overrev the crap out of it! It does show that if you build one up it will take that kind of abuse.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

That's cool bud. Whatever makes you happy.

[@billchildress9756]

@@Calvin-Nelson Whatcha find over here is a lot more convenient. I'm more content to watch what other people do.... I'm retired from all this.Still very cool to see how strong these engines Really are.

[@jmyd83]

👍

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

The crank probably twisted ever so slightly at that power level and bent the rods

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It that was the case, I would expect to see bearing wear that would indicate that. We did not. I think we just overpowered the rod.

[@russellbroadwell]

Any guess that it was making at the flywheel?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

970 was our estimate

[@davesperformance88]

What are you running for valve springs.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

It's on the wiki. sites.google.com/view/vortec4200wiki/valve-springs

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Sounds like its time for forged CRods, pistons, clevite bearings. Forged crank maybe?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Nobody makes a forged crank, and I see no reason why the stock one is causing any issues. Clevite doesn't make bearings. It would be nice to have a touch more Clearance though. I'll definitely be checking that when we put the forged rods in. We may polish the crank to get the clearance. Rods and pistons are available though, so we'll definitely be doing them.

[@b.c4066]

@@Calvin-Nelson clevite Mahle bearings, used to be clevite 77. Ask your pops. Clevite has been in the bearing game for a long time my friend. Think Mahle has bought them out.

[@enermaxstephens1051]

So what kind of power is safe to run through one of these engines? Could I build one that around 400hp/tq and have it last 150k miles? I want to build one up, but I also want to daily the thing.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. That should be safe.

[@enermaxstephens1051]

@@Calvin-Nelson Would it still run smooth? As an inline 6, does it run notably smoother than a v8?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@enermaxstephens1051Yeah 400hp is nothing. Just add boost.

[@S4Meow]

Unless you shut the engine off at the end of the power pull, timing marks are not possible to be read. If you idled even at few seconds you can't read the plugs. Don't trust reading the strap unless your really controlling the conditions.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. I'd rather not destroy my transmission. Shifting into neutral or shutting off your engine at 165mph is how you burn it up. Reading the plug is just a suggestion anyways. The plug is suggesting to you what it wants. You need to take in all the other info, and use your previous experience to decide what change to make. We've never melted a plug. In this particular case the ground strap was annealed at the very tip. That means that if what you are saying is true, all timing that the spark plug experienced was very conservative, or else it would have annealed further down. Therefore we safely concluded that more timing could be added.

[@S4Meow]

@@Calvin-Nelson I would hope you don't melt plugs on e85! LOL. It is very possible to pass MBT though with ethanol. How much were you gaining per degree of timing? Cylinder pressure starts to spike really high when you pass MBT so you don't get much buffer room when you're already near the strength limits of the rods. For instance if another 30 ftlbs would have broken the rods, you could easily break the rods by going 2-3 degrees past MBT just due to cylinder pressure spikes. The failure mode looks the same as overpowering components because in the end its cylinder pressure created, either from good combustion or bad combustion (overtimed)... you wont see knock marks, you wont melt plugs, but you will bend/break things like rods and pistons. The real key is to watch that power gain per degree of timing and see if its going up or not. I will have to rewatch that engine explosion video to see if you commented on that or not. You might have and I just forgot (sorry).

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@S4Meow We think we gained huge power, but it spun the tires bad on the Dyno (and it likely was starting to break the engine). Then when we re-tightened the straps and made a clean pull, it only gained 10hp. I've been around the block with this many times. Plugs are just one of the tools, along with the Dyno numbers, and o2 sensor and the rest. Like I said in the video. I try to keep the timing out of it if possible. It was 30psi 13 degrees of timing. The motors like 31 degrees NA. We increased to 15 degrees and that's what probably hurt it.

[@19jody72]

How many passes/miles was on this engine?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Passes? like 3. Dyno pulls? Like 40-50

[@highpointsights]

It seems that GM motors have a tendency to have rather delicate rods in stock configurations. Maybe crate motors don't but the factory stock sure do!!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

824 whp is not what I would call delicate

[@highpointsights]

@@Calvin-Nelson It's definitely not a drag and drive configuration!!!

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@highpointsights I took mine with stock rods on Midwest Drags. Got a 9 second average in a 3200 pound station Wagon.

[@dondotterer24]

I'm thinking you found that too much torque breaks the factory rod.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

What? You're crazy!

[@dondotterer24]

@@Calvin-Nelson yep amazing torque and horsepower

[@dondotterer24]

Had a friend that ran a cavalier with 3 2bbl holleys back in the day. Spun it really high. Had the best Advaned chassis. From Antwerp Ohio. Seen it myself. And yes it blowed up. NA from an engine builder from Florida that was supposed to be the best. I never heard what exactly what happened . I'd say you're doing good.

[@methanial73]

But what caused the failure? Detonation? Or was it just that the piston just came apart?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

We overloaded the rod. That broke and then it just smashed the crap out of the piston. That's my guess, anyways.

[@methanial73]

@@Calvin-Nelson Why don't you use performance rods?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@methanial73 We do now. Wanted to establish a safe limit for the stock ones.

[@brentmeredith5295]

Time for a barra I reckon 😉

[@Calvin-Nelson]

That would have broken about 70 hp before this one did with a stock bottom end.

[@brentmeredith5295]

@@Calvin-Nelson really seems to be a lot more high powered ford barra's getting around then there are 4.2 vortex just saying

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@brentmeredith5295 They all have 1000s of dollars of forged parts. If I could get a Barra for a reasonable price I would most certainly give it a shot, but I think it makes a lot more sense to invest in a built bottom end for the 4200 in the US.

[@brentmeredith5295]

@@Calvin-Nelson being there is a pretty big supply of aftermarket puts for the barra and probably very little of vortex I would say it's probably cheaper to barra and build it and have a better outcome then it would be to build another bottom end for your vortex. But either way it's cool what ever you do I'm just giving you the same advice the ls crowd love to give me when I look at playing with a clevland v8. Good luck with which ever way you go

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@brentmeredith5295 I can get parts for the Vortec. Stay tuned

[@shannonmckenzie4060]

Curious what kind of head gasket are you running

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Stock

[@shannonmckenzie4060]

@@Calvin-Nelson I was wondering if I ran a thicker head gasket with ARP head studs if it would make much difference with the turbo I'm in the middle of building a 4200 as well because on the toyota 2jzge N/A thats what we would do to those so we could run a turbo without having to change out pistons for the gte or other aftermarket pistons

[@Judge_Jon]

Do LS rods and pistons work on these 4200s?

[@Calvin-Nelson]

No. Different, length, journal, pin size, bore, everything...

[@Judge_Jon]

@@Calvin-Nelson That's unfortunate. I was hoping since 5.7/8x6=4.2 they would share some internals.

[@Mikefngarage]

MY Guess AGAIN.....Piston failure. We have seen this many times in the VW world. too many RPM for the piston. The other rods are probably bent from the debris hitting the pistons. Watched so many guys not running true forged pistons do just what is happening in that engine. IDK what is in there but that is my guess. Rods probably should be H rods too. OR custom aluminum. then the reciprocating weight is less and puts less stress on the top end.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

We've run stock pistons to above this hp level. It's not the piston that failed.

[@johnboy5167]

It's never going to last or be reliable with that much boost 😁

[@Calvin-Nelson]

We'll see.

[@enesfazlic6017]

Cause the Piston said Screw this man i cant take this no more. Its tooooo muuuuuch

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yeah. I think it was the rod that peaced out and beat the crap out of the piston. Lol

[@peterschmidt2849]

❤️🇺🇸🔥

[@bowhuntrrl]

I don't think you had enough ring gap for 30 lbs boost! You need minimum of .026"-.032" gap for 30 lbs boost.The ring stuck,took the head off the piston and broke the rod, etc....

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Why didn't it do that on the 10 pulls at 30 psi before it blew up? Why didn't it do that on the pull where it made 40 psi?

[@adeptpeasant6161]

Sounds like thrust was the issue and not the rod's IMO

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I disagree. 0.009" thrust clearance is not excessive. Why do you think it's a thrust issue?

[@adeptpeasant6161]

@@Calvin-Nelson You're probably right that it was the rod. I just thought it was crank walk.

[@bryanhinds8522]

It blew up……….or what i like to call a unscheduled rapid disassembly of an engine

[@captainsledge7554]

Maybe the rod just wasnt ready to settle down. Its not you, its the rod. It just wasnt ready for a serious commtiment

[@altruismfirst6489]

Cause of budget price of these motors and your piston and rod results would it be too optimistic to say just better rods alone can make reliable 800hp for 200 runs? Just might be better for iIf you are going to use better pistons and rods then you might consider a mains brace for extra insurance and cementing the block a third of the way up as its only 25 bucks for a gallon of moroso stuff. JZ people do it and yet the 4200 block looks very flimsy to not do these helpful budget add-ons. To think a 600hp engine was so expensive not that long ago in racing and super cars.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

We're actually considering just doing connectiong rods in the next motor. The pistons look too good. If we keep the tune conservative, and just keep throwing more boost at it, it should be good to go. I've already designed a block brace, but I'm not going there until it is required. Cementing the block may not be a bad idea at some point too.

[@paulz2641]

When you set high power goals always pick a v8

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Somebody better tell the 3000 hp 2JZ and RB26 guys.

[@TravisAndrew1]

those rods are twigs

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Yup.

[@tuloko16]

First!!🤷‍♀️

[@bilarobus6762]

800 at 2bar, that engine is just making 200hp na with all that displacement??

[@bilarobus6762]

@@andrewnelson3733 yes thats a big engine 4,1lit it is very uneffective at 200hp na 200 hp from a 2lit is an effective engine

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I'm not sure where you are getting 200hp. 800/3=267. They're rated at 291 factory at the crank. All that has been done to the engine is some mild camshafts and valve springs. They're truck motors. With a real set of cams they would be something. That's only 200 degrees of duration at 0.050

[@59vaughn]

Well, pretty...and catastrophic...not a nice combination..??....so rods, rpm...?....or just stay south of seven hundred on stock stuff....

[@Calvin-Nelson]

I don't think the RPM had anything to do with it, but I could be wrong. I would recommend keeping it at or under 700whp with stick stuff. Next build for us will have rods. Then we'll find the next hurdle.

[@samdee9337]

DOH, 30 lbs of boost...

[@Calvin-Nelson]

40 at one point

[@Radical-kj9nm]

well this was expected. Most stock rods can't handle 2.5x original horsepower of any given car.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Factory rating is in crankshaft horsepower. We're measuring at the wheels. We're closer to 3.5x original output. Nobody knows the actual limit until you press it. You can do all the math and theory you want.

[@Radical-kj9nm]

@@Calvin-Nelson True,,, hey I'm just giving props for getting that high before blowing up.

[@strifelife4003]

phatt oof

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Eh. Is what it is. For science!

[@strifelife4003]

@@Calvin-Nelson hail yea borther

[@mattlewis9458]

So is 40psi bad.. that's what mines at

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Oil pressure?

[@mattlewis9458]

Yes

[@Calvin-Nelson]

@@mattlewis9458 if it's 40 psi at 6000 rpm, that's concerning to me.

[@paulz2641]

He races stock parts then wonders why they fail

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Have to find the limit somehow.

[@twistedthrottle8513]

Not near has strong as a stock AUSSIE barra .

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Ok.

[@paulz2641]

He makes his own misery

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Sure buddy.

[@paulz2641]

Your racing stu pid, engines

[@Calvin-Nelson]

Lol. You're funny

[@donaldconnolly220]

woussy rods.....get better rods...add more. boist.m.

[@Calvin-Nelson]

We did. See the second to last video.