connecting rod decision

[Wally Knight]

Re: connecting rod decision

OK, we don't like the Eagle rods, how about GM rods?? Like those? Get a set of the powdered rods from www.gmpartsdirect.com, good to 500 hp. and dirt cheap.

12495071 Connecting Rod Kit (5.70")
This kit includes 8 of P/N 10108688 high quality 5.70" length PM connecting rods which are used in the LT1 and LT4 Corvette engine in place of the old "pink rod" for higher strength and reliability. These rods can be used in competition or as street rods below 500 horsepower. Use P/N 10108688 for single rod replacement.

$202 dollars.

[Wally Knight]

Re: connecting rod decision

OK, we don't like the Eagle rods, how about GM rods?? Like those? Get a set of the powdered rods from www.gmpartsdirect.com, good to 500 hp. and dirt cheap.

12495071 Connecting Rod Kit (5.70")
This kit includes 8 of P/N 10108688 high quality 5.70" length PM connecting rods which are used in the LT1 and LT4 Corvette engine in place of the old "pink rod" for higher strength and reliability. These rods can be used in competition or as street rods below 500 horsepower. Use P/N 10108688 for single rod replacement.

$202 dollars.

[robert leazenby]

Re: connecting rod decision

I spoke with my machinest about the PM or powder metal rods. He said he has seen far more failures with the PM rods than with the standard forged. That is why I was staying away from the PM. He and I have been round and round about the best combination. I was leaning toward the Crowers, and yes they are all American down to the billet. They come in matched sets, pressed or bushed and are of excellent quanlity.

The final decision is to polish the beams on the stock forgings, re-size, and shot peen them, and upgrade to ARP bolts. With me doing the polishing and him doing the rest, my cost is $125.00, so that saves me about $320 to $350.

We also debated over the pistons. Being an LT-1 I was leaning toward forged, but being a spare motor I wanted reliability. With that in mind we are going wiht Speed Pro Hyperutectic .100 domes. We are aiming for that 11.0:1. Actually a little lower with the use of a composition gasket. Probably have to retard the timing away from the factory 14 degrees.

(Crower was out of the rods I needed and I would have had to go to a 6.0" instead of the 5.7")

[robert leazenby]

Re: connecting rod decision

I spoke with my machinest about the PM or powder metal rods. He said he has seen far more failures with the PM rods than with the standard forged. That is why I was staying away from the PM. He and I have been round and round about the best combination. I was leaning toward the Crowers, and yes they are all American down to the billet. They come in matched sets, pressed or bushed and are of excellent quanlity.

The final decision is to polish the beams on the stock forgings, re-size, and shot peen them, and upgrade to ARP bolts. With me doing the polishing and him doing the rest, my cost is $125.00, so that saves me about $320 to $350.

We also debated over the pistons. Being an LT-1 I was leaning toward forged, but being a spare motor I wanted reliability. With that in mind we are going wiht Speed Pro Hyperutectic .100 domes. We are aiming for that 11.0:1. Actually a little lower with the use of a composition gasket. Probably have to retard the timing away from the factory 14 degrees.

(Crower was out of the rods I needed and I would have had to go to a 6.0" instead of the 5.7")

[Wally Knight]

Re: connecting rod decision

Now that is a new one on me. I had not heard there have been a lot or rod failures in the LT-1 and LT-4 motors. GM must be sitting on this and the people who own them must not be complaining. Ever meet a corvette owner who did not complain?

I own a late model LT-1 car and run the wheels off it, no problems yet.

[Wally Knight]

Re: connecting rod decision

Now that is a new one on me. I had not heard there have been a lot or rod failures in the LT-1 and LT-4 motors. GM must be sitting on this and the people who own them must not be complaining. Ever meet a corvette owner who did not complain?

I own a late model LT-1 car and run the wheels off it, no problems yet.

[robert leazenby]

Re: connecting rod decision

Maybe I should rephrase. He said he has seen more failures with PM rods than with forged rods.

[robert leazenby]

Re: connecting rod decision

Maybe I should rephrase. He said he has seen more failures with PM rods than with forged rods.