Something I've been wanting to share/debate about rod bearings

turbogate

Life is Boost
May 18, 2005
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South, FL
Quick story, my friend owns his own shop and was before that a Lexus master mechanic. I've been fortunate thanks to him to meet many local high performance leaders, including Racing/tuner industry leaders. One day while I was in his shop, a guy that used to be Lance (Toyomoto) head mechanic came buy, and my friend asked him about fixing our rod bearing issues.[/COLOR]

Before I tell you his answer, you guys might know who/what Toyomoto was, Leaders/innovators in the country when it came to turbocharging/tuning cars. To give you an idea, AEM engineers will listen to him if he has a suggestion (master tuner); anyways Lance was also a pioneer in the 7MGTE back in the HKS alphabet and soup days and had one of the fastest red MKIII in the country I believe. We are talking late 80s. He was also one of the only other guy (I think) besides Reg Riemer SONIC who has the techtom system. The point of that story is I'm trying to let you guys know that these guys knew what they were doing.

What that guy told me (not Lance) basically told me was this. Buy 2 sets of rod bearings, and use only the sides that have the oil canal/galley on top and bottom and that was it. It made sense to my friend, but I don’t know! That’s why I'm sharing. Could this have been a long time secret? I've searched on here and have never seen it mentioned. I hope I'm contributing and not "reposting":icon_bigg, however I would like to hear what our "current" innovators/leaders think about it.
 
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turbogate

Life is Boost
May 18, 2005
425
0
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South, FL
IJ.;905510 said:
Greg: Ummm Rod bearings DON'T have the grooves.....

Mains do and the TRD bearings are fully grooved.

Hey cant I make a first name mistake? at least I knew the last name was bearing! :sarcasm: I guess that's what he was talking about. So do the main stock bearings only have one side grooved? and would what he said apply then to the main as far as getting 2 sets? or is it just not worth it?

Thanks for clarifying
 

MKIIINA

Destroyer of Turbos
Mar 30, 2005
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plus im not 100% sure that the bearings are really bad. i am under the impression that the main cause of rod knock is one of 2 things:
1. Low/No oil situations (owner neglict)
2. BHG leading to water contamination in the oil causing bearing failure.

I don't see how having a fully grooved bearing would fix either one of these situations.

but past that get that guy on here! maybe he can explain more in-depth exactly what the rational is behind the idea.
 

Nick M

Black Rifles Matter
Sep 9, 2005
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www.ebay.com
MKIIINA;905925 said:
plus im not 100% sure that the bearings are really bad. i am under the impression that the main cause of rod knock is one of 2 things:
1. Low/No oil situations (owner neglict)
2. BHG leading to water contamination in the oil causing bearing failure.

There is very little wrong with this car as intended from the factory. The only thing is all of you that have gotten your hands on them. Those of you in this category know who you are, and those who are not know who you meat heads are.

Both of the items listed are owner neglect.
 

MKIIINA

Destroyer of Turbos
Mar 30, 2005
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exactly my point, im not sure a design change would fix anything. the hg would help with the oil/water milkshake, and if you keep an eye on the oil like normal you should have no problems.