assuming car is running perfectly with no detonation, and rev limiter set to 7200rpm...?

Im on stock rods, and I guess I'm seeing 350engine hp @1.3bar.

I am just wondering if the rods would handle 400hp (running racefuel and 1.7bar I would be there...)

Anyone heard of bent rods on the 1.8T because of POWER, and not detonation??

well, ATP has the 400 hp kit, but how long do you think it'd last? Anyone with the desire to build a 1.8T to that power level is gonna drive it hard, & that's what breaks things ;-)

I don't have an exact rating for you, but IMO the stock rods could handle 350-400 chp in a perfectly tuned engine. I'd even venture to say that's being conservative...

good question, the only people that I've heard of having rod problems were the guys running Nitrous, Billy1.8T being the most infamous, pushing over 500hp (I think it was wheel HP too)

You might be OK with 400hp, but it's really hard to say.

I say go for it, but don't be surprised if something breaks. You gotta pay to play.

Not saying you couldnt get it for 20 or 30 seconds, but why?
Anyone spending enough to do the exhaust/turbo/DP/MAF/Inj, etc. ad finitum would be crazy not to spend the money 6-800 on good Pauter/Seinz/Arrow/Carrilo rods? I will but that the TT225 rods and crank will do it but they max out at 400 and I am told that is not a long term setup. Do it right or dont do it, you will spend more cheaping a job than waiting awhile and doing it right.
rod

it's also spending money on pistons, machining, balancing, etc, etc, and you're looking at spending at least $3K.

IMHO, run it 'til it blows, then build it up, but you better be saving your money in the meantime :)

Guess I should add a disclaimer in my previous statement?

Safely, at 150hp, they still break! ;-P

Put it this way: the guys out there running 300+ chp out of an audi 1.8T have close to $10k invested. (If they don't now, they will eventually!)

You can get these for 1000$ easy if you shop. You and I agree about saving money but when you spend it do it approaply given the level you want, but do it right.
Rod

since "Kit" would include tuning. Those high hp cars over there are pretty much all running 2 liter built motors.

Car reportedly had ~310chp on pump and 360+ on race. It is as stout as a stick. I am replacing to go to a higher level and one meant to be abused as frequently as I can and last for years, so I am spending a little more. I beleive 300 hp is possible on pump without a problem cause I drive it every day. I also know that this particular package had more time spent on it by APR than any other A4 at the time I bought it, so it was done right. It is possible, it is just not common for people to get their cars sorted this well, or as well as it takes to get them by without major internal mods. Little problems with fuel and timing are as hard on the machine as abuse. I see these engines as very robust and I beleive they are capable of 650hp if everything is done right, so its not like they are the weak sisters of the poor.
If you turn up the boost aabove 20 on stock components and the turbo has any airflow at all then you will have some problems sooner than later. You will also have problems if you play with things you dont understand. Some guuys have basic knowledge of what makes a car run and they have a chance to do OK if they hook up with or become someone who can tell the computer to do what all good running machines need based on the feedback available. Its simple yet the computers make it hard.
Rod

->installs are things many people can do themselvs.

And its doable within a day or two.

Im not going to change rods myself. Car will probably be down for more than a few days, and I wouldnt dream of changing rods without changing pistons, maybe a 1995-96 1.8T or Tdi forged crank, and mechanical lifters, cams and even while having the head off doing some porting.
It'll be MUCH MUCH more than 6-800$
More like 6-8k $ ! At least!

And I know several people who have run their 1.8T with stock rods and about 330-340chp for serveral years without bending a rod.
My question was, will they handle safely 370-380chp when tuned nicely. I believe they do.
Its rarely the power that takes them. Mostly bad tuning->detonation or high rpm!

Its probably much variation in how much stock rods handle. Some might be lucky and handle above 400hp, but some might not and bend them at 300hp even without detonations...
Its really a gamble, but I like Xr4ti strategy.
Ill try, and run till it goes to h...!
And rather save up for repairs meanwhile...

btw. Havent heard of any APR stage 3 people bending rods or blowing their engine.
But I suspect the APR s3 chip to have very conservative timings to keep it safe... But many of those cars have way past 300chp even so...
right?

Jamez