Originally Posted by
BenFenner After all this time I think I see where the confusion is. For the SR20DE engines the FSM says the main bearings use the block info + crank info. But for rod bearings it says to just use the crank info (and makes no mention of using the rod info even though it is there).
In the SR20VE FSM it says you should use the crank info + rod info when choosing the rod bearing grade.
I think that's where the confusion is. Andreas and Lance are using the VE info and applying it to all SR20 engines and they've had great success with that. Others may be using the DE info and applying it to all SR20 engines incorrectly. It would seem from my point of view that for whatever reason, Nissan decided to add an extra element to the proceedings when they moved to the VE engine that wasn't there in the past. I think it's pretty safe to say for DE engines you can do it either way (although I'd still recommend the FSM method based on swiss's findings). And for VE engines it's recommended you follow the more strict procedure for sure.
Where does it say that in the SR20VE FSM? It doesn't.
Like I said earlier, the stamped number on the rod is for the small rod end bushing. It has two grades, either 0 or 1. The big end, the one we are concern with, has three grades(0,1,2) and is stamped on the crankshaft.
Rod bearing selection is the same for all the SR20 engine family.