7A-FE Compression Ratio, Looking at changing the CR of my 7afe when I rebuild. Options

[PaukST]

Hey all, I'm trying to decide what to do with my 7AFE (have to take it apart due to a rod knock anyway). I've kicked around a few ideas (or maybe a lot ), and I'm currently researching what an increase in compression ratio might do. Does anyone have any info on this? I'm unsure of the potential difference in performance, and I can't seem to find any hard data on what pistons (4age, smallport 4age, 4agze) result in what CR. I've been trying to make sense of these tools and formulas - http://www.csgnetwork.com/compcalc.html http://s-86.com/s-cr.html and http://s-86.com/s-cr-chart.html - but I'm having a hard time digging out the relevant numbers. Doing the math myself or using the calculator I come up with significantly different numbers than their little handy chart, so I don't know what to think. Is this a futile exercise? Will I even be able to notice a performance difference over the stock 9.5:1 without having to use higher octane?

[PaukST]

I think he meant having the block or heads milled. Its shouldnt adversly affect the camshaft timing. Something I learned from Chevys is that as much as 4 degrees is not noticible, and im sure you wont have anywhere near that much difference

Hit the nail right on the head. I was a little skeptical that a 0.3mm or 0.4mm difference would cause noticeable differences in cam timing, but my own guess wasn't really reassuring to go on. Thanks for the info!

Im assuming 1 is when your refering to having the crank cut. It shouldnt make a difference. Just make sure and spec everything to make sure you get the propper size bearings. Shouldnt have to get anything but standard unless the crank was scarred that bad. 2 you always wanna hone the bore anytime you rering. Doing this helps the rings sit and help with oil. It wouldnt take anymore then maybe a thousandth away if done propperly. No need for oversize upless you bore. 3 i live in Raleigh, NC, so im not formillar with the charlotte area.

#1 was about the block/head being milled, but I'm pretty sure my engine would eat itself alive from the inside if I had the crank cut without compensating with proper bearings. Already in the plans! Thanks for the input on honing, I want this rebuild to last a LONG time, so I don't want to leave anything undone that could increase its lifespan. Looks like a hone will be in the plans as well!

I'm planning to replace the exhaust valves, all the seals, the oil pump, and possibly valve springs. Also, aren't the rod bolts one of the stock 7A-FE's weak spots? I'm considering replacing those with ARP bolts or something, but haven't really researched into that yet. I know I need new head bolts, rod bolts, and main cap bolts anyway, so I may as well beef up the durability if I can do it without breaking the bank.