Which Rod Bearings are best?

inerdkev

Member +
Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to view my thread. I am currently working on building my Forged 5E bottom half. I am using these rods (link here) on a stock 5E crank. Can I get some recommendations on which brand and size bearings I should acquire? Any help appreciated.
 
possibly bajan?! :cool:
i tend to stick to genuine toyota/OEM bearings and that's what i recommend.
regarding the size, you would need to measure up the crank using some professional (high quality) calipers or the plastigage approach.
if you are not sure how ti do it yourself or have the tools, i'd suggest you take it to a professional, its not something you want to get wrong at all.
the toyota/oem bearings have numbers/sizes stamped on them at the back of each bearing half (1, 2, 3), if you have not already disassembled the engine you can check those are you do---use them as a guide as you will still need to get the crank/bearing measured anyways to be on the safe side.

same procedure for the main bearings---toyota/oem come in 5 different sizes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

based on the forums, the other popular brands for bearings are ACL, king, taiho-----i can't speak to any of these as i've never used any.
 

inerdkev

Member +
possibly bajan?! :cool:
i tend to stick to genuine toyota/OEM bearings and that's what i recommend.
regarding the size, you would need to measure up the crank using some professional (high quality) calipers or the plastigage approach.
if you are not sure how ti do it yourself or have the tools, i'd suggest you take it to a professional, its not something you want to get wrong at all.
the toyota/oem bearings have numbers/sizes stamped on them at the back of each bearing half (1, 2, 3), if you have not already disassembled the engine you can check those are you do---use them as a guide as you will still need to get the crank/bearing measured anyways to be on the safe side.

same procedure for the main bearings---toyota/oem come in 5 different sizes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

based on the forums, the other popular brands for bearings are ACL, king, taiho-----i can't speak to any of these as i've never used any.

Yea, rod bearing size is def something I want to get right no doubt. When I bought the 5E block it didn't come with any rod bearings, unfortunately. I would definitely like to get them measured, do you know anyone in Barbados who can take the measurements and recommend the bearing size?? Plan to make a few calls today.
 

wickedep

Trader
stock genuine Toyota bearings are best. i've just stripped my 5E for inspection after 2 race events/many tuning sessions at 500whp and the Toyota bearing were mint.
 

SKINY

Lifer
Another vote here for stock, purely going by what I have read, and I've experience with high mileage Toyota 3S engines over 200,000 mile no real issues, same for the diesel engines, had a carina at 370,000 miles, sold it for the engine
Generally I've found Toyota engines pretty strong unless you get really silly with them :)
 

inerdkev

Member +
stock genuine Toyota bearings are best. i've just stripped my 5E for inspection after 2 race events/many tuning sessions at 500whp and the Toyota bearing were mint.
500 whp? but how? lol jeez man id be happy with 300, def going oem. Will check out your build!!
 
Yea, rod bearing size is def something I want to get right no doubt. When I bought the 5E block it didn't come with any rod bearings, unfortunately. I would definitely like to get them measured, do you know anyone in Barbados who can take the measurements and recommend the bearing size?? Plan to make a few calls today.
i'd try one of the credible machine shops with precision measuring instruments
unless you know of someone/mechanic whom you trust that builds engines and has access to the same precision equipment
 

inerdkev

Member +
My partner who works at a mechanic shop will be providing a high-quality caliper later today. So I will take the measurements and crunch the numbers. How much clearance should I be aiming for on a 5e bottom, 0.002 inches?
 
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