All bickering and such aside, NOBODY here can actually prove what the limit of the stock rods is, everything is pure theory. Most people usually figure engineers design to twice the anticipated load on the parts. If you take that into account then the stock design was set for 200 HP and 160's tq. In other words Tom you're most likely at the threshold limit of the stock items and as Keyser put it, it's only been a few thousand miles. Until someone puts up the money to fatigue test and limit test several NEW sets of these PM rods, then I wouldn't want to be the one pushing the limits. Also take into account unless you buy a brand new shortblock from Bill J all of these motors have some use on the all ready.
For those that think this is all great news that the stock rods can handle this much power, consider this scenario. Tom can buy and build his stock engines for $1500, so can I, so can several other people. Most people however are paying to have their motors built and possibly paying for the installation as well. Do you want to be the guinea pig with over $5-6K invested in a single motor installed? $900 for a set of rods is a heck of a lot of insurance in my book.
Rick
