Crankshafts & Components — Forged, Billet & Bearings

Crankshafts & Components — Forged, Billet & Bearings

The crankshaft and its supporting components form the structural and mechanical core of every reciprocating internal combustion engine. Upgrading the crankshaft assembly with forged steel cranks, precision bearings, dampers, and timing components builds an engine bottom end capable of handling the power and RPM demands of a serious performance build.

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Forged 4340 crankshaft sets paired with matching connecting rods, ARP main studs, and performance main bearings are the standard specification for any V8 performance build targeting 500 or more horsepower. Billet crankshafts for maximum-effort race applications provide the highest strength-to-weight ratio available when a forged crank's fatigue limit is a concern. Timing components including double-roller timing chains, billet steel gears, and cam phasers should be upgraded alongside any crankshaft swap to maintain proper valve timing under the increased loads of a performance build.

What crankshaft components should be replaced during an engine rebuild?

Main bearings, rod bearings, and front and rear crankshaft seals should always be replaced during a full engine rebuild regardless of their apparent condition. Main cap bolts or studs should be replaced with ARP hardware any time the mains are separated. The harmonic damper should be inspected for rubber bond separation and replaced if any deterioration is present. A professional crank grinding or polishing assessment determines whether journals can be saved with undersized bearings or require replacement.

What is the advantage of main studs over bolts?

ARP main studs provide more consistent clamping force than bolts because studs load the main cap in pure tension rather than a combination of tension and torsion. This consistency allows the main bores to be machined more accurately, which is critical for bearing clearance in high-output engines. Main studs are recommended on any engine build targeting sustained high RPM or high cylinder pressure from forced induction or nitrous.

Find crankshaft and bottom-end components at Black Ops Auto Works. Browse our exhaust systems, air intake systems, and suspension upgrades for your complete build.