When did the Conrods Change?

360beast · May 20th, 2012, 01:11

I have been doing some reading on the interwebs and found that apparently in 1987 the B230ET engine changed from 9mm conrods to 14mm (or 13mm they weren't sure which). Well my engine is from 1987 so in which month did they change? Because I'm hoping that means I can tune my engine safely.
Or were they talking rubbish?
Thanks in advance.

rogerthechorister · May 20th, 2012, 08:48

I thought it was much later than that. I'm sure I've seen it nailed pretty accurately over on turbobricks.

Clan · May 20th, 2012, 08:51

The engines previous to 1984 were the strongest with forged crankshafts ...( B23ET ) Not sure which rods they had , but they won the European Touring car championship with the 244 T producing just under 400 bhp from fairly standard parts ( it was the rules )

Chesh740R · May 20th, 2012, 19:12

Your engine will have skinny 9mm rods.

360beast · May 22nd, 2012, 04:57

OHHHH bad news then looks like they got their info wrong.
Is their anyway I can fit bigger rods?

rogerthechorister · May 22nd, 2012, 06:46

I'm pretty sure the big ends differ. Change engine. Or you could get forged rods.

baggy798 · May 22nd, 2012, 12:25

You'll probably break the torque tube thing before you break the 9mm rods. Though not even the 13mm rods will save you if the engine is tuned in such a way that it is pinging frequently.

Skylaneguy · May 22nd, 2012, 15:24

Your 1987 B230 will have the skinny 9mm connecting rods. They can fatigue and crack particularly in the turbo engines, eventually breaking. The 13mm rods are a direct interchange as a set. They can last a long time, as my daughter's 1987 744T has 288,xxx miles on the original short block.

360beast · May 23rd, 2012, 04:40

Not really looking to tune it much just straight through exhaust, pod filter and up PSI slightly that's it, although this is probably a little too much for my liking anyway.

Daim · May 23rd, 2012, 13:19

If I remember correctly, the "L" series engines had the better conrods. This is written on the sticker stuck to the cambelt cover. The K weren't as strong.

May 20th, 2012, 01:11	#1
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	When did the Conrods Change? I have been doing some reading on the interwebs and found that apparently in 1987 the B230ET engine changed from 9mm conrods to 14mm (or 13mm they weren't sure which). Well my engine is from 1987 so in which month did they change? Because I'm hoping that means I can tune my engine safely. Or were they talking rubbish? Thanks in advance.

May 20th, 2012, 08:48	#2
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	Later I thought it was much later than that. I'm sure I've seen it nailed pretty accurately over on turbobricks.

May 20th, 2012, 08:51	#3
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 16:48 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	The engines previous to 1984 were the strongest with forged crankshafts ...( B23ET ) Not sure which rods they had , but they won the European Touring car championship with the 244 T producing just under 400 bhp from fairly standard parts ( it was the rules ) __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

May 22nd, 2012, 06:46	#6
rogerthechorister Rogerthechorister Last Online: Dec 16th, 2023 02:15 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester	No. I'm pretty sure the big ends differ. Change engine. Or you could get forged rods.

May 23rd, 2012, 13:19	#10
Daim Brit in Germany Last Online: Today 18:50 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bremen	If I remember correctly, the "L" series engines had the better conrods. This is written on the sticker stuck to the cambelt cover. The K weren't as strong. __________________ The Best Nation Is Imagination 2010 V70 (Type 135) D5 (D5244T10) Automatic (TF-80SC)

May 20th, 2012, 19:12	#4
Chesh740R Turbobricker Last Online: Apr 14th, 2024 18:09 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wellingborough	Your engine will have skinny 9mm rods.

May 22nd, 2012, 04:57	#5
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	OHHHH bad news then looks like they got their info wrong. Is their anyway I can fit bigger rods?

May 22nd, 2012, 12:25	#7
baggy798 🤍💙💗 Last Online: Today 19:16 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lichfield	You'll probably break the torque tube thing before you break the 9mm rods. Though not even the 13mm rods will save you if the engine is tuned in such a way that it is pinging frequently.

May 22nd, 2012, 15:24	#8
Skylaneguy Member Last Online: Jan 27th, 2022 22:18 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver	Your 1987 B230 will have the skinny 9mm connecting rods. They can fatigue and crack particularly in the turbo engines, eventually breaking. The 13mm rods are a direct interchange as a set. They can last a long time, as my daughter's 1987 744T has 288,xxx miles on the original short block.

May 23rd, 2012, 04:40	#9
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 18:29 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	Not really looking to tune it much just straight through exhaust, pod filter and up PSI slightly that's it, although this is probably a little too much for my liking anyway.

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