S54 build again EP1: Rods, Pistons, (-574gr) 🥰, Rings, Crank sussing, balanced to less than a gram.

574grams saved on piston rod assembly or 20.25 oz or 1lb 4.25oz
After I killed my first motor, no boost!!!!.... it took 27000 miles to do so.
Time to do another S54 swap, as I have $8400 worth of stuff for an S54 that is new or an upgrade, these are things that I did to future proof or improve performance for the last motor. That one only cost me $3500, now days not at all..
Here we attack the bottom end and do all the right things. Lots of research and videos were viewed to arrive at the solutions. I wouldn't call the information here comprehensive but it is accurate.
Molnar rods, Wiseco Pistons, micrometer, engine balance
Plasti Gauge works surprisingly well.
Since I can do math, I bought external mics, and a bore gauge this has been satisfying. The bore gauge is a bit tricksy in use, but not in setup. These are absolutely necessary if you want to do analysis on the conditions of a motor.

[@lolman-yn3jr]

Im surprised they recommend plasti gauge!

[@samthing4thetrack806]

agree it has been that way for a long time. but the thing is if we are talking all of their I6; are balanced so well that the expectation it won't be a massive error, just normal wear within color choices of bearing thickness in their parts chain. altho the v8s are the same, so unless a tech finds really bad Main bearing conditions that is all that is necessary. I was impressed with the indications it wasn't super precise but it was adequate.