And this is another resource I like.

 

Oregonipa is absolutely right, get those two books from amazon. They'll pay for themselves as soon as you realize you won't need new connecting rods. Doing work yourself, you can easily do the following:
Replace cam and valve springs and seals
Port match and polish intake and exhaust, and clean up the transition area around the valve seats
Lighten and balance rocker arms, Note your rocker arms need to be resurfaced when you install a new cam.
Assemble, shim, and adjust the cylinder head

There re lots of things you can do to go faster. Including spending lots of money. There's a point where the money spent on a naturally aspirated motor becomes more expensive than just putting a turbo on a relatively stock motor. That point is about 220 HP. A stock turbo motor can make around 300 hp without serious bottom end mods and 350+ by going to forgedpistons and shot-peened rods. These motors are very stout already; the cranks and rods are already forged parts. You need to add an intercooler and a larger turbo andbigger injectors....but it's cheaper and more reliable than getting past 220 without a turbo. You don't even need to change the cam.... Buy those books and read up.

 

This is awesome info. Thank you! Lol one of the only reasons I’m replacing the rods is because the engine had been sitting for a couple years and the piston was seized. Stupid me ruined one of the rods when beating it out. 🤦🏽‍♂️ I may just buy oem ones from eBay if that’s the case. Any ideas? I know it was stupid, why did I not put the cap back on before hammering it out. 🤦🏽‍♂️

 

John,

Pretty solid advice^^^^^ from ghosttanker. Run with it.
Take it from me.... I did the whole "need to make my NA super fast" thing and it bit me in the butt and emptied out my wallet for very little in return. I then decided to go the turbo route and never looked back.. First thing you need ask your self is why are you doing this? What are you using your car for and what's your goal?

Bon

 

Does anyone have aftermarket rods they would recommend? Or just find some oem ones on eBay or something? Maybe fb marketplace