Looking closely at the OE rods, it appears that the oil squirter is designed to lubricate the crankshaft backside cylinder wall. I can see that oil can migrate down the oil control ring on the passenger side due to gravity, but that won't happen on the driver side of the block.

I've searched the 3si forum and found some interesting things there. Some say that they completely block off the block oil squirters in an attempt to raise oil pressure to the mains and rod journals. The block-mounted piston squirters in the TT engines open with pressure and there is anecdotal evidence that the balls and springs sometimes find their way into the sump.... causing a loss of oil pressure at lower rpms.

I'm trying to find out if any of the turbo guys have blocked off the piston squirters AND use aftermarket rods, depending completely on crankshaft sling and splash lubrication for the cylinder walls. More than likely splash lubrication is enough, but Mitsubishi drilled the rods for a reason and I notice that GM also uses the method on certain engines.

Frank