Rule#1.... what works for one engine may not work for another... unless you have identical part numbers and identical power bands.exist3nce wrote:Yes I know I don't have a C20LET, but it would seem the theory would follow over in general to any engine.
The LET rods/bolts were designed for a factory turbocharged engine that made way more power than our U20SED.
Long story short.... the C20LET bolts are probably of a higher quality and cost than the U20SED bolts... even if it only saves GM $2 per bolt.... that's $8 per vehicle.... and when your banging out 100,000 vehicles a year that means the manufacturer saved nearly a million dollars by going with a cheaper set of rod bolts.
Rule#2.... manufacturers are cheap bastards that invest the least amount of money possible... if they can save a dollar they will... even if it means that they are just barely inside of their safety factors.
We have absolutely no idea of how much power U20SED bolts are capable of withstanding... there are only a handfull of turbo U20SED/X20XEV engines out there..... if you want to take the chance all the more power to you.... just let me know the power levels when your engine blows so we can warn everyone in the future.
They might take 500hp before shearing (500% safety factor).... or.... their shear point might be as little as 200hp (200% safety factor).... there is no way to know unless you take a factory bolt to a University and have their engineering department conduct some tests.
Of course this will cost you ten times more than buying a set of aftermarket bolts but if your willing to let your engine blow over a set of bolts then you must have money to burn.