I know the ls1 guys run katech rod bolts and spin them 7200 and up. Is it worth replacing the rod bolts in the 5.3's? I wouldnt mind spinning to 6800 or so.

 

If you are already in there I would put the ARP bolts just like I did. Best investment I've made on my motor. Just my .02

 

x2 on the ARP's.

 

If the engine has been running fine, leave it. Doing bolts can change the stress on the caps, can cause what was a good bearing to go bad, from changing bolts, re torquing. Other things tend to leave before a bolt breaks. If it is a afresh build, then yes to have some piece of mind put the good bolts in other wise, drive on..

 

Like John said, I would leave the bolts if you do not have any problems. When you change bolts you need to check the rods for roundness, if you are not checking, this can cause bearing failure as there is a different clamping stress on the rod. In my first build I spent the money for Katech rod bolts because I didn't have to balance or check. I now feel like that was a waste of money as I have never heard of a rod bolt failure .

 

this is good to know, I was gonna put some arp rod bolts in my LQ4 while its apart. so if I put new rod bearing in would it be a good idea to put some arps in?

 

I sprayed over 100 bottles in my 5.3 spinning 7k on stock rod bolts before it blew up.. It wasn't a rod bolt issue. I'd leave them.

 

awesome, saves me some money. lol