ramrod;c-138338 wroteYou'll find the larger rods in roughly 1989 onwards engines. Turbo and non-turbo.
Are you planning on serious engine work? What are you trying to make out of the engine? Regardless, using your own engine isn't a bad idea. You already have it, so you can save some cash there. Also, you can conveniently use your non-turbo block as a base for a turbo engine (the blocks are exactly the same between turbo and non, except for the oil drain hole)
Let me know if you need some assistance with your project and what you need to reach what you're trying to achieve
At this stage I just want it running. I'm sure the extra torque and hp is going to be a great improvement over its current 115hp? And 163 nm?...which is an absolute HOOT to drive as it is btw.
The 360 apparently has a weak diff and propshaft, so in a large way, I am limited to what I can do power wise before addressing those areas. But as an idea, I want to build a reliable 200- 250hp, 300-350nm setup... Which just happens to apparently be about the limit of the drivetrain? I don't know this for sure and Its likely not just the power that is to blame for failures, it's probably a combination of power burnouts, drifting etc.
I don't mind building a complete engine and swapping it out later on, but as
@Slowbrick had suggested, it would be better for me to just get the FT block. Plus, its always a nice feeling when you get it right the first time!
I'm at the stage, with the ET block I have, where it would be crazy not to give it a hone and new rings. I'll pull a piston and inspect it soon and decide from there. I now know that it needs new bearings, so that's a given.
Then there's the fact that I don't want to be sorting out any running problems in the first kilometres of bedding/running the rings in. That would be disappointing..
So right now, the main objective is getting it running and working the way it should. I have a lot to work on. Engine mounts, down pipe, flywheel and clutch (LH2.4 dished flywheel with Sachs turbo clutch kit has been suggested to me by Dai from classic Swede UK. It apparently requires some grinding of the bell-housing to make things work.), wiring loom, intercooler + piping etc.
This is all a learning curve for me and there is a lot to wrap my head around In such a short time. I don't know a whole lot of anything, but I am never afraid of trying and learning. If you are willing to 'talk' I'm always willing to 'listen'.