I need some advice...what would you guys do?

[MAT88GT]

I have this problem...I need to decide on rods and pistons for the dart block combo but the only people who seem to have any advice are people with things for sale

The pistons will need to be custom made for the 4.125" bore but are pretty simple...just needing some decent sized reliefs and a typical flat top. The problem is, I have no clue what I should do for rods. My limiting factor is the stroke (3.4") and chevy sized 2.1" journals. What would you guys suggest for a rod manufaturer and design type for an engine making 450ish hp na that will see quite a few 175 shot passes and the occasional 225 blast? There are tons of options for pistons; arias, je, cp, diamond, ross, etc. so I wont have any problems there.

One person has suggested using a lightweight/ultralight I beam from Probe...not my first choice by any means

Others have just said to stick some H beams in and forget about it...though they're heavy, they will take the abuse and last a lifetime.

I could also consider some Childs/Albert A beams and other flavors.

Dave, Steve, others, give me some ideas here!

[MAT88GT]

Thanks Dan!!!

[BP Convt]

Oliver makes a nice billet rod.
5.400 Center to Center
2.100 CRANK PIN with STANDARD ARP-WSB 7/16 BOLTS 618 grams Price: $1,224.00

Or, (http://racerwalsh.zoovy.com/category/8cylsmallblock.crankshafts_and_rods/) sells a variety of rods. 5.4" H-beam connecting rod 2.100" big end/.927" pin size ARP2000 bolts installed in rod set. Good for up to 1000hp. Price: $625.00

If it was my engine seeing potentially 700 HP I would go with a set of H-beams from either SCAT or Eagle. I would leave the lightweight forged I-beams for n/a only combos. You could also inquire what someone like Bennett Racing, DSS, or Keith Craft installs in their high horsepower shortblocks. Most will probably use an H-beam until you need to step up to a billet rod.

A 5.4 length, 2.100" rod should be easy to find.

[MAT88GT]

hmmmm I wonder if I can get those Eagles with the 2000 bolts...or will the standard 190psi bolts be ok?

Billet rods would be sweet! I wish I had the money to buy a set hehe

[MAT88GT]

I sent them an email to find out about the bolts Dan...I also talked to Jeff Lange and he is using the Eagle rods with 190psi bolts in his 347. If they work for him they'll work for me!

[dave bandt]

Matt,

I don't have a steel rod connection....when you go to aluminum i can hook you up there. As far as pistons go, give Venolia a call for custom pieces. I've ran them for the last few years and had GREAT luck. Brian at ADPerformance has always treated me well too. Lastly, Mark O'Neal from Probe/CHP is another friend of mine that you can try. Telling Brian and Mark i sent you might be good for a small discount....so it's worth a try. I know Big Daddy runs eagle stuff in his DR car....so i think they'll be fine for your application. I just worry about their machining tolerances after hearing all of the horror stories about them.....you can eat up a $200-$300 savings pretty easy with a set of out-of-round rods or a crank with tapered journals that needs grinding.

Good luck.....

[MAT88GT]

Thanks Dave! I'll definately look into Venolia when it comes time for the piston selection

I purchased my AFR's through Brian and have a decent relationship with him in that regard...he'll definately get the nod when it comes to my flexplate and balancer.

Hopefully I get a decent set of Eagle rods that wont need any machine work, but an out of round set would be my luck ;)

How is PER doing for machine work lead time these days? There are a couple decent machine shops around my area, but I'm still weighing my options.

[drag79stang]

Sorry to get into this so late.
I have no connections, no information, other then what I"ve utilized in the past.
I've always liked Eagle H beam rods. I'd probably go with Ross again for pistons. Compared to alot of people out there, my stuff is 'hick', but it gets the job done.
If I was going to do it all over again, I know I would go with Eagle stuff again. Again, my preference.
(wish I could afford a Dart block)...............

Good luck with your combo. :>)

[MAT88GT]

Thanks Steve! I really appreciate all the help guys!!!!

I have some hick stuff Steve, though it might be a little bit of high class hick, double-wide home on wheels style ;)

After much thought and internal debate, I just ordered that set of Eagle H beams :D One more hurdle behind me, yet many more stand in my way...

[drag79stang]

I"ve never heard of anyone 'breaking' a H beam yet. My machinist Larry uses/utilizes alot of them in his monster motor builds he's been doing lately. Lot of the HIGH buck stuff gets aluminum rods, but others get the H's.......

Good luck again. Ain't it fun?..........:>)

[MAT88GT]

Fun is a complete understatement! :D

[dave bandt]

Lot of the HIGH buck stuff gets aluminum rods.......


How does $640 + shipping for a set of aluminum pro-mod style rods.....custom built to any center-center, pin diameters, weight, and width you want sound? I suspect you can get less rod for a little less $$$$ too.....but that's just speculation because i've only bought the super heavy duty ones.

[drag79stang]

That's all fine and dandy. It's been 4 years, (maybe a hair less), but at least that many years since I"ve even priced out a set of aftermarket rods for anything.
All I know is from MY experience. And what I hear/see around the machine shop/engine builders place.

Personally (and again, this is ME thinking/pondering), could never see running aluminum rods. For people that do it all the time, I would think it's second nature, but again, I"m hickville/old school stuff. Hell, H beam rods was a HUGE step up from just cleaned up/resized with arp bolt stock rods....................

Everyone price out whatever they're getting, do whatever.......................

[MAT88GT]

I got a call from David (the guy who sold me the rods) saying that he didn't see the order until today and would ship them out 2nd day air at no additional price! After I explained that there is no rush he offered a discount on my next order...really nice guy :D Oh, and those rods do have arp 2000 bolts in them from what he said. The listing on the site is incorrect

[MAT88GT]

yep! He said on the phone that they're arp2000's in those rods

[MAT88GT]

but he was wrong....the rods have 8740 series arp bolts, oh well

http://www.mustangcentral.net/stroker/images/rods/IMG_0642.JPG


http://www.mustangcentral.net/stroker/images/rods/IMG_0643.JPG

[MAT88GT]

yeah, I'm happy with them...thanks again for the link Dan!

[drag79stang]

They're so dammed purty, ya hate to button them up under all that pan.................:>)

(I know many year ago, (like close to 4), when I first bought my stroker kit, I went down to my machinists shop and played/tinkered/played/fondled/mistreated those rods alot before the final assembly. Took lots of pictures.............just me and my rods..............for there will come a time when you will look back and say.....................well, I forget.............it's just nice to have pictures to remind ya once in a while............:>)