Seeking Rod Advice

[Paul_D]

Greetings all,

I'm rebuilding a 2.2T motor to more-or-less "S" specs. I have a set of nitrided 2.0S rods, and I have the original rods from the 2.2 T with the beefed up big end. Assuming either set would be properly reconditioned, which would be better? The 2.0 rods are considerably lighter, which should be a good thing. However Porsche apparently felt it necessary to use stronger rods even for the T, with the 2.2 and later engines.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Paul

[BURN-BROS]

Paul,

It doesn't matter. either one would work for your application.

Arp has rod bolts available for the 2.0 liter wher you would have to mod the 2.2 rods to accept the ARP's

I have seen 2.0 liter rods in 2.5 competition engines spin up to 8000 rpm without immediate issues.

[Paul_D]

Thanks Aaron. Good to know. However "..without immediate issues." Begs the question "what about longer term issues?" One wonders why the factory decided the rods need to be stronger at the bottom. I'd like to use the lighter rods, since I love a snappy engine, but I don't want any anxiety about weak points.

Also, your reply is the first I've heard about modifying 2.2 rods for ARP bolts. I'd rather not be doing that. I must be misreading the ARP catalog (see below). I thought that p/n 204-6003 is the set for 2.0L thru 69 (the actual desctiption is "2.0L 911S 1969"), and that 204-6001 is for later rods. The catalog doesn't specify if the 2.0L 911S bolts are M10 though they do call out M10 for the other.



Thanks again. I need to come see you soon about my distributor and maybe some head work.

-Paul

[BURN-BROS]

The 204-6001 is for the 2.4-3.0 rods

Again for your application either rod will be acceptable. I like the 2.0 liter rods just because of ease of upgraded rod bolts.

[Paul_D]

Aaron,

Thanks again for your helpful advice.

-Paul