Click here to visit LS1Tech
Click here to visit Performance Trucks
Click here to visit Mod Motor Tech
Click here to visit Modern Hemi
LS1Tech Wiki

LS1TECH  

Go Back   LS1TECH > SBC-BBC-LT1-LT4 PERFORMANCE > LT1-LT4 Modifications
New! Use your Facebook, Google, AIM & Yahoo accounts to securely log into LS1Tech.com, click logo to login  

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 10-08-2009, 04:19 PM   #1
11 Second Club
 
StealthFormula's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Telford/State College, PA
Posts: 3,546
Default Eagle cast crank bites the dust

My buddy just has the worst luck ever when it comes to cars. He's not a member here so I just want to warn those who are looking into buying an Eagle cast crank. From the research I've done in the past they pretty much suck yet so many people still go with Eagle junk. However, in their defense many people have had good luck with Eagle but again they by far have the most problems out of any crankshaft manufacturer that I am aware of.

Anyways my buddy bought a 383 from Cook Performance Engines for his '94 Bird last year and just yesterday the Eagle cast crank took a dump. Were talking a motor with maybe 2,000 miles on it. Said the damn balancer was just basically wobbling in there. All he did was fire the car up, take it for a normal drive to the gas station where it the car preceded to make some terrible sounds. Needless to say, he will be going with a forged crank from a manufacturer with a better track record.

Like I said many people have had good luck with Eagle products but I would stay clear. Some searching on the web will show alot of insight on how inferior Eagle is to some. Moral of the story is going the cheap route in the beginning will many a times cost you more in the end.
__________________

'97 Formula WS6
11.71 @ 115.36 w/ 1.56 60'

Last edited by StealthFormula; 10-08-2009 at 04:37 PM.. Reason: spelling
StealthFormula is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 04:23 PM   #2
11 Second Club
 
1badzee's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 1,902
Default

Similar story with a friend of mine, except his was forged, and it snapped and ripped through the oil pan. I personally wouldn't go with one..
__________________
1993 A3 Z28
93cz28 - "It's been GM> Ford since the beginning of time. Since before fire was invented"
1badzee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 04:29 PM   #3
TECH Veteran
 
NemeSS's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 71
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 4,054
Default

dam, sometimes those parts work well and soetimes there junk.
the eagle products do need inspection, machining and balancing before final assembly. they need alot of work out of the box usually.
__________________
LS1 SS
LoneStar1nnovationSS
NemeSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 04:35 PM   #4
11 Second Club
 
StealthFormula's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Telford/State College, PA
Posts: 3,546
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NemeSS View Post
dam, sometimes those parts work well and soetimes there junk.
the eagle products do need inspection, machining and balancing before final assembly. they need alot of work out of the box usually.
That they do. I am interested to know if the engine builder (Cook Performance Engines) really did all that or not.
__________________

'97 Formula WS6
11.71 @ 115.36 w/ 1.56 60'
StealthFormula is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 04:37 PM   #5
Staging Lane
 
stevo9389's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 84
Default

i know myltwon that had the same problem and might chime in. your friend didnt happen to reuse the stock dampener hub did he? my stock stroke eagle crank kept spitting out dampener hub bolts causing the hub to walk out a but but never got the to the point where it wobbled around. if i remember correctly they work better with keyed hubs. it eventually ate a rod bearing on a nitrous pass and then lasted about 1500 miles of daily driving before it seized.
stevo9389 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 04:40 PM   #6
11 Second Club
 
StealthFormula's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Telford/State College, PA
Posts: 3,546
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevo9389 View Post
i know myltwon that had the same problem and might chime in. your friend didnt happen to reuse the stock dampener hub did he? my stock stroke eagle crank kept spitting out dampener hub bolts causing the hub to walk out a but but never got the to the point where it wobbled around. if i remember correctly they work better with keyed hubs. it eventually ate a rod bearing on a nitrous pass and then lasted about 1500 miles of daily driving before it seized.
I don't know for sure but I think he is running the stock hub. He will be meeting me at the track saturday so I'll ask him then.
__________________

'97 Formula WS6
11.71 @ 115.36 w/ 1.56 60'
StealthFormula is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 05:27 PM   #7
TECH Apprentice
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 348
Default

People know eagle is bottom of the barrel, yet they insist on using them, then they are shocked when they break. sigh.
__________________
383 forged internals lunati cam 12.21@114
bombebomb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 06:14 PM   #8
TECH Enthusiast
 
Trader Rating: 3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 573
Send a message via AIM to transmaro93
Default

just to add some to your story... my engine builders are also in the process of building a 383 SBC (not my engine)and the guy bought a lower line scat forged crank... when they went to check the balance (they check them all even the really high dollar stuff) they came to find the thing was so far out of balance it damn nearly flew off the machine from vibration... 2000 miles on an engine that doesnt sound like it was beat on to kill a crank that fast sounds like something went wrong with the shop that built it... i dont care how cheap the parts are unless this guy was spinning the cast POS to 7000 it shouldnt have failed... they probably never balanced it...
__________________
97' formula LT1 M6...
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4...xxxxkxknw9.jpg
transmaro93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 06:38 PM   #9
Teching In
 
lncboytre_d's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 32
Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by transmaro93 View Post
just to add some to your story... my engine builders are also in the process of building a 383 SBC (not my engine)and the guy bought a lower line scat forged crank... when they went to check the balance (they check them all even the really high dollar stuff) they came to find the thing was so far out of balance it damn nearly flew off the machine from vibration... 2000 miles on an engine that doesnt sound like it was beat on to kill a crank that fast sounds like something went wrong with the shop that built it... i dont care how cheap the parts are unless this guy was spinning the cast POS to 7000 it shouldnt have failed... they probably never balanced it...
I tried to save a few pennies on my new build and bought an eagle cast crank, my builder charged me $112 because it was so far out of balance and needed alot of grinding. I'm at 2,700 miles on the engine so far I've been beating the shit out of it. If it breaks, which I hope it doesn't, then I'll upgrade. I just sent off to have my rev limiter increased we'll so how that goes.
__________________

My Kung Fu is STRONG
Fresh lt1 355 eagle cast crank & rods JE forged pistons,11.4:1 CPR, racetronix 255lph pump, accel fpr, Outlaw level 3 tranny, yank ss3600, 3.23 gears, AFR lt4 195cc (2.05 intake, 1.60exhaust), cc306, pro mag 1.6rr, k&n filter, bbk 52mm, tb bypass, ngk tr5 plugs, extreme duty timing set, msd opti, msd super 8.5mm wires, pacesetter lt's, QTP electric cutout, high flow water pump, egr! A.I.R! Evap!, 18" ata racing rims, flowmaster 40 series, tuned by Ion @ madtuner
lncboytre_d is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 06:39 PM   #10
TECH Fanatic
 
chavez885's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Edmond,OK
Posts: 1,982
Default

I've heard nothing but bad from locals, know a few that snapped eagle cranks in half. Whether it was the machine shop or not, hard to say most of the time!
__________________
www.byunspeed.com|www.tropi-care.com
95 Arctic White Z28 M6 |06 Black Silverado CC 5.3L

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wesmanw02 View Post
An $80K, 4,000lb, overpriced, unreliable, ugly, V6 automatic Nissan is not a "sick car". Its nothing more than an electronically controlled ricer mobile.

Z06 >>> GTR. Period.
chavez885 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 07:51 PM   #11
TECH Resident
 
sweetbmxrider's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: jersey shore
Posts: 790
Default

eagle CAST cranks are rated at like 500 flywheel hp. the forged is like 800 or 1000hp.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewersprts View Post
Had some offers, but no cash yet. I know someone wants to get blown.
sweetbmxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 08:12 PM   #12
Teching In
 
lncboytre_d's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 32
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider View Post
eagle CAST cranks are rated at like 500 flywheel hp. the forged is like 800 or 1000hp.
Seems like all the guys have problems with the crank are putting out 450+ to the wheels...... Maybe there just asking way too much from the crank. They are well over the 500 flywheel mark. Just my .02
__________________

My Kung Fu is STRONG
Fresh lt1 355 eagle cast crank & rods JE forged pistons,11.4:1 CPR, racetronix 255lph pump, accel fpr, Outlaw level 3 tranny, yank ss3600, 3.23 gears, AFR lt4 195cc (2.05 intake, 1.60exhaust), cc306, pro mag 1.6rr, k&n filter, bbk 52mm, tb bypass, ngk tr5 plugs, extreme duty timing set, msd opti, msd super 8.5mm wires, pacesetter lt's, QTP electric cutout, high flow water pump, egr! A.I.R! Evap!, 18" ata racing rims, flowmaster 40 series, tuned by Ion @ madtuner
lncboytre_d is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 08:16 PM   #13
11 Second Club
 
StealthFormula's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Telford/State College, PA
Posts: 3,546
Default

My buddy is under 400rwhp by the way he has probaly 450 at the crank, it's a very mild LE1 setup and was slower than my car.
__________________

'97 Formula WS6
11.71 @ 115.36 w/ 1.56 60'
StealthFormula is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 09:32 PM   #14
Moderator
 
Trader Rating: 95
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 1,381
Default

Although Eagle is on the lower end of engine components, it's unfair to blame the manufacturer in general when the failure was most likely related to the material in particular. Cast cranks are significanly weaker than forged cranks are. There have also been quite a few failures with the SCAT cast cranks as well. The only cast crank that has shown any kind of decent strength is the stock Gen3/4 stuff....and even they break. In my qualified opinion, the stock GM LT1 cast crank is stronger than the Eagle or SCAT cast stuff.

You are just asking for problems when buying these cheap stroker cast cranks. On the other hand, the high end stuff can break too. Two months ago, the crank snout on my Callies Racemaster crank twisted right off. There are no guarantees on anything in the high performance world.

Jason
JasonShort is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 10:08 PM   #15
Staging Lane
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: new york
Posts: 52
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonShort View Post
Although Eagle is on the lower end of engine components, it's unfair to blame the manufacturer in general when the failure was most likely related to the material in particular. Cast cranks are significanly weaker than forged cranks are. There have also been quite a few failures with the SCAT cast cranks as well. The only cast crank that has shown any kind of decent strength is the stock Gen3/4 stuff....and even they break. In my qualified opinion, the stock GM LT1 cast crank is stronger than the Eagle or SCAT cast stuff.

You are just asking for problems when buying these cheap stroker cast cranks. On the other hand, the high end stuff can break too. Two months ago, the crank snout on my Callies Racemaster crank twisted right off. There are no guarantees on anything in the high performance world.

Jason
couldnt of said it better myself ,that bein said im runnin a eagle crank in mine its a 358 eagle rods also ,wit srp flatops on it i spin it to 6800 on a daily basis and so far so good but im sure in time suttin will happen
93v8clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 10:36 PM   #16
TECH Enthusiast
1994 Chevrolet Camaro
 
riceburnerZ28's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Plano, IL
Posts: 631
Send a message via Yahoo to riceburnerZ28
Default

I have over 4000 miles on my eagle crank hopefully it doesn't fail on me!
__________________
94 Z28 M6: Scat forged rods,Eagle crank,306 cam,Magnum RR's,Comp's 986 springs,UMI Sfc's,Lca's & Brackets,LG T.A,STB,Kyb shocks,Derale oil cooler,Mallory Ignition, Custom CAI,BBK Headers,ORY,Hooker Catback,SVO Injectors,Walbro Fuel pump,Tuned by MadTuner.com
"I don't have V-Tec, but I do have the "fukumupbad" setting on the boost controller!"
riceburnerZ28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 11:07 PM   #17
TECH Apprentice
 
Trader Rating: 5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 358
Default

Does anyone know how strong the Forged ZZ4 cranks are?
__________________
Ryan
ThreeHonks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2009, 11:31 PM   #18
TECH Fanatic
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,292
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonShort View Post
Although Eagle is on the lower end of engine components, it's unfair to blame the manufacturer in general when the failure was most likely related to the material in particular. Cast cranks are significanly weaker than forged cranks are. There have also been quite a few failures with the SCAT cast cranks as well. The only cast crank that has shown any kind of decent strength is the stock Gen3/4 stuff....and even they break. In my qualified opinion, the stock GM LT1 cast crank is stronger than the Eagle or SCAT cast stuff.

You are just asking for problems when buying these cheap stroker cast cranks. On the other hand, the high end stuff can break too. Two months ago, the crank snout on my Callies Racemaster crank twisted right off. There are no guarantees on anything in the high performance world.

Jason
My thoughts exactly.

Remember, these cast cranks are rated for 500 flywheel with Eagle and 450 flywheel for Scat...both can be passed easily with a H/C kit - and people spray on top of that too!!! Not fair to blame the part when they are not being used how they were made to.
__________________
>>>Lotsa LTX Goodies for sale cheap!!!<<<
93 Med Pat Red Z28: 11.72 NA Stock Shortblock, Soon to be one *NASTY* All motor, GTP Ported AFR 220 headed, LE cammed, 23* hydraulic roller 383...eventually >.<
07 ZX6R Ninja: Bottom 10's w/ only gearing+exhaust...
\/\/\/-Stock 10-bolt F T W-\/\/\/
Apparently from the Street Racing section everyone and their mothers Honda beats crotch rockets now lol.
Puck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2009, 12:30 AM   #19
12 Second Club
 
fergymoto's Avatar
 
Trader Rating: 29
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hermitage, PA
Posts: 2,043
Default

No way!!! I never heard of a cast Eagle crank breaking. This is blasphemy!
__________________
2001 WS6 M6 - TSP 233/239 cam, D&D Viper spec T56, Textralia OZ700, 12 bolt with 4.10s, some suspension, Hooker headers & catback, LS6 intake, ported TB & MAF, SLP lid
1997 Trans Am WS6 - LSX swap coming soon.
1998 TA M6 - miss it... RIP ---
HUGE Parts sale! Over 47 items!
fergymoto is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2009, 12:35 AM   #20
TECH Apprentice
 
Trader Rating: 0
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 348
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fergymoto View Post
No way!!! I never heard of a cast Eagle crank breaking. This is blasphemy!
Calm down, I know how you feel it came to a shock to everyone else also.
__________________
383 forged internals lunati cam 12.21@114
bombebomb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
383, cast, compstar, crank, crankshaft, crankshafts, eagle, forged, keyed, ls, lt1, problems, rating, scat, snout


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:56 AM.

LS1TECH - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0
Advertising - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy - JOBS