Performance Rod Choices

[Cliff8928]

Ok, So most everyone knows that the 5.7" Small-Block chevy rods can be modified to fit the good 'ol 60°. The only thing that i don't know, is what design of rod should i get? I see I-Beam and H-Beam forged rods? Anyone have any opinion on these and which one is better for what application?


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[xxrollin]

Either rod is alot better than stock and should/will support anything you can put to them in the 60* V6. You'll also need to get the older "small journal" rod, this rod is for a 2.00 rod journal which our beloved 60*'s use. After that, you'll need to have the big end narrowed to .854.. Design is all opinion, so either should be more than enough for your needs...

[bszopi]

Hot Rod had a good writeup on the advantages and disadvantages of several different designs awhile back. I'll see if I can't find the article and then list a breif rundown of it all.

[Jon89LE]

Anyone know if Eagle rods are good? Jegs has a set of 'stock looking' rods from them for like $250.

[SappySE107]

The set of eagle rods I saw looking amazing. They were for a 2.0 eclipse...you couldnt tell where they split...looking like a solid piece (where you bolt it around the crank). I have no idea how good they really are other than what his set was rated for (something like 550 or 700,depending on the source of info).

[Jon89LE]

Yea, this set was rated at 500crank hp. Im just leary about them being so cheap. On the Jegs site it doesnt say if they are cast, forged, or what. It just says steel.

[xxrollin]

There forged 5140, rated at 500hp. You'll need to order the set for the "small journal" cause the other sets are to big for our crank. Remember that they also have a .927 wrist pin diameter and ours have a .905. These are those cheap rods and the Jegs catalog doesnt have a part # for the small journal so you'd probably have to call them......

[Jon89LE]

So are you saying they arent worth the apx. $240 price tag?

[xxrollin]

yeah, they're well worth it. I think that GM is using all PM rods in all there engines from what I've herd. So these will be a big improvement... in reliability with any hipo engine build up....

[Dave]

a lot of the "good" rods come "uncut" as in they are one solid peice and you take them to your (trusted) machine shop to have them cut and hone them to their proper sizes.

--Dave

[SappySE107]

It was cut though, you just couldn't see it unless you really stared at it.

[Dave]

damn, that is good machine work then.

--Dave

[Maetrix66]

So, what;s the procedure for getting the wristpin to fit right on these, do you get a larger wristpin fit to your pistons, or do you have the rods bushed for smaller wristpins??

[TurboZ24]

If you are getting forged aftermarket pistons, just request them with the correct pin diameter, that's what I did. There doesn't seem to be any point to getting aftermarket rods if you are using cast pistons, but if you already have or ordered forged pistons with the stock V6 pin size, you just use a bushing in the rod.