Who's Broke a Motor w/Steel Mains Only (vs a Girdle)?

[Terbro]

In my consideration to install a girdle, I would say the best way to determine how strong steel main caps alone are. So who's broken their motor with steel mains without a girdle? And for those who have, what kind of horsepower/ETs did you have? Did you have just the center two caps or all four? Stock pistons or aftermarket?

And for a bonus, I'm curious to know who's broken their motor with a girdle. Did you have steel mains or stock?

 

[Intercooler]

What kind of times you running? With a 009/44 combo you are mid 11's at most? You don't even need caps at that level. Low 11's (teens) and you may want to get the caps. If in the 10's all the time a girdle would be nice at that level. I had a girdle on my 11.50 pump gas motor with billet caps. The caps (centers) were already there so I wanted to experiment with a girdle. My new motors only got billet centers and studs and I plan on hitting the upper 10's a few times in the cranked up mode. I don't think I would opt for a girdle again unless I was planning on seeing the underside of 10.50 more than one time. You are only as good as your next weakest part

 

[ChrisCairns]

Originally posted by Terbro
In my consideration to install a girdle, I would say the best way to determine how strong steel main caps alone are. So who's broken their motor with steel mains without a girdle? And for those who have, what kind of horsepower/ETs did you have? Did you have just the center two caps or all four? Stock pistons or aftermarket?

And for a bonus, I'm curious to know who's broken their motor with a girdle. Did you have steel mains or stock?

I have. Stock block rebuilt with both center caps replaced with steels. Forged pistons. The best pass with this engine in a full weight GN was 11.25 at 120.

I blew a headgasket and when replacing it found scored cylinders so I looked at the bottom end and had the bearings replaced. Shortly after I dotc. During autopsy I found a spun bearing.

 

[Terbro]

Intercooler, I didn't make it clear that I'm building a new motor. It will have GN1 heads.

Thanks ChrisCairns, I'm really looking for feedback like yours from people who've actually pushed it to the break point. And/or those who've gone high 10s w/just steel mains.

 

[Intercooler]

If you have the bucks the girdle can't hurt but it is pretty costly. I guess it depends on just how fast you want to go. It may/may not be overkill, just depends on the wallet and your comfort/tuning level

 

[Terbro]

Intercooler, I don't at all mean to be a jerk, but I already know that. I'm very interested to KNOW at what point I'd need a girdle, as testified by those with it and w/steel mains only that have actually broken their motors with them.

Of course it wouldn't hurt...it wouldn't hurt to have a stage II block (good into the 8s) either if I want 10s, but I don't need it.

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by Terbro
Intercooler, I don't at all mean to be a jerk, but I already know that. I'm very interested to KNOW at what point I'd need a girdle, as testified by those with it and w/steel mains only that have actually broken their motors with them.

Of course it wouldn't hurt...it wouldn't hurt to have a stage II block (good into the 8s) either if I want 10s, but I don't need it.

I think for anyone to help you in your quest you need to state what you are looking to run day in and day out. Until you say 60 passes at X then it is hard to let you know the best route. To be honest a 44/009 combo doesn't need anything.

 

[cutt]

main caps

if it will help you i broke my stock caps running low 11s at 120,then switched to the 2 middle steel caps and a stud kit and havnt had any problems.now i have over 50 mid-ten sec passes

 

[Intercooler]

Re: main caps

Originally posted by cutt
if it will help you i broke my stock caps running low 11s at 120,then switched to the 2 middle steel caps and a stud kit and havnt had any problems.now i have over 50 mid-ten sec passes

Can you tell your combos with the times so he can get a feel. Thanks!

 

[cutt]

combo

50s injerctors,63 turbo,GN1s,duttweiller 214/214 flat tappet,3500n/l,transbrake lauches

 

[Terbro]

Thanks cutt, that's the kind of feedback I'm hoping to get. Mid 10's w/caps only.

Intercooler: As I mentioned before, I'm building a new motor. I'm very much aware that my current combo is ok as is. 3165 posts...do you do anything else?

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by Terbro
Thanks cutt, that's the kind of feedback I'm hoping to get. Mid 10's w/caps only.

Intercooler: As I mentioned before, I'm building a new motor. I'm very much aware that my current combo is ok as is. 3165 posts...do you do anything else?

I build motors Motors that haul and last

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by Terbro
3165 posts...do you do anything else?

I also check out Webpages. What is the cap picture on yours? I can't make anything out but did you crack one?

 

[Ed Valvo]

Just my observations here but I witnessed a tear down of a mid 10 second engine from a full weight car with steel caps only and then a year later with a girdle. The girdle engine had much less bearing wear.

 

[V6 Beast]

I went 10.95 @ 125 @ Bristol with Center Steels, TE-64E, 55's CAS FM, Champion Iron Heads, 208/201 CAM, AC 19930 3500 Stall

I haven't tried this latest combo of 72's, TE-45A, 214/208 CAM but will find out this weekend at Reynolds.


Sully

 

[galoush]

My exp. with the girdle , if you snap your crank you may save your tranny as i did , to me that was worth the four bills or so for the girdle .

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

Originally posted by galoush
My exp. with the girdle , if you snap your crank you may save your tranny as i did , to me that was worth the four bills or so for the girdle .

my thoughts exactly


I just girdled mine after going 127 with stock caps and stock bolts and everything in the motor looked great other than a few chatter marks between the caps and block and # 3 main has taken some beating but over all looked good for the abuse the motors been thru

 

[gnx7]

local racer here went 10.40@128mph best with billet center main caps and 55lbers, TE-63, V1 intercooler, Champion irons, 218/218 flat tappet, FAST ECU, fiberglass hood/bumpers everything else working. Mainly high 10's and low 11's as he didn't want to push it too hard.

If you are going to build a motor.... do it right and use a girdle. Stock caps with girdle is all you need to go safe mid/low 10's.... and if you have bigger balls high 9's like RaceJace in UT.

Billet main caps were the only option available to strengthen the GN block.... but now there is the girdle solution and when you think about it..... it is the best..... plus you will save more parts in the process if anything goes BOOM!

My next engine will have a girdle for the 9's..... when.... unknown.... but a 9 second streetcar with a V6 turbo is my goal.

-GNX7

 

[Whitettype86]

I have the two center billet mains and RJ girdle and I'll see where this stock 4.1 n/a block goes

 

[turboculosis]

with the girdle & caps, my car has yielded a 10.58@127.
this was with 55#ers, isuzu fm i/c, stock rockers, 206/212 cam, & 200r4.
rebuild is done & ready to go back in. new combo in sig. below