Which Connecting rods?

[Trim'd Up]

Putting together a new motor over the winter and I am trying to decide which rods to use. I have a set of stock 502 rods with polished beams, shot peened, and resized with new ARP bolts in them. I can trade them and a couple of other spare parts I have laying around for a set of eagle H-beam rods brand new. Question is am I gaining anything going to the Eagles on a 650-700hp 515?
Thanks, Chad

 

[KENNYO]

I rebuilt my 502 rods. I think if I had to do over I would have bought the eagles. Then I would 've bought the crank and pistons and made a 540. Then the big heads........

 

[Trim'd Up]

I am considering that too Kennyo, but I already have the crank and about to have 2 sets of the factory rods both are already refurbished. Just wondering how they compare in strength to the eagles. I am confident if I stay in the stated hp range either will be fine but, more is always better.

 

[KENNYO]

Factory rods are good if they were done right.

 

[Chris]

At 700 HP, I usually like to step up to the Manley's. I've heard lots of good about the Eagle and Manley and the stock rod is pretty good too when prepped correctly. Of the three, only the GM is going to be 100% consistent quality. You can find new Manley's for under $400.

P.S. Horsepower is less-significant than RPM. If you're looking to get 700 out of 502CI, that soulds like a 6400-6700 RPM motor.

 

[Geronimo36]

Pretty sure the stock rods are good up to 5800, 6k at the most.

 

[Chris]

Merc doesn't spin them over 5K.

 

[Trim'd Up]

I keep going back and forth on what I am going to do. N/A and on the lower end of the Hp spectrum or a low boost blower motor. I don't intend to spin it over 6k. I think GM performance rates the rods at 575 but I think that is more to do with the bolts that are included. The ones I have have the good ARP's and have been polished etc.

Chris where have you seen the Manley's for $400? The best I have seen is near $700.

 

[Chris]

I just picked up a NIB set on Ebay for $385

 

[YoungPerformance]

Personally, I wouldnt take the Eagles if you gave them to me. Get a set of the Manley's as Chris said or a set of H beam Scat's. I have run both to over 900 hp and over 6000 rpm with nofailures. With either rod, step up to the ARP 2000 bolts. Most come with the 8620(??) ARP bolts, but the ARP 2000 bolts are much stronger. They are about a $50-$60 upgrade, but well worth it.
Eddie

 

[Chris]

Oliver Billet..........

Another excellent rod, but getting expensive. That's the trouble- there's never a stopping point on parts cost. You can "a few hundred more" yourself from beer-budget to world-class pretty quickly.

 

[Geronimo36]

I agree. Some things are worth the expense. Connecting rods are one of those things.
Ed

I have the Olivers in both my engines.

 

[RedDog382]

I have the Olivers in both my engines.

Same here, wouldn't use anything less at the H.P. you are looking at. John Lingenfelter was a big advocate of the Olivers.

 

[Tyler Crockett]

The H beams are a stronger and way lighter rod. You will have to rebalance the crank with the H beam rods. The good thing is they are so much lighter you can drill the crank to balance not have to put mallory in.

 

[Mrhorsepower1]

I would also recommend the Manley H-beam rods or Callies also has a very nice H-Beam called the CompStar.

 

[Ratickle]

I vote for Callies or Olivers. Every Eagle crank and rod we've ever received has had to be re-honed, balanced, or machined. I think they cost less so the builders can charge for this. Maybe I'm just unlucky in this department though.

 

[Chris]

Carillo is as good as it gets. But they're very expensive- about $2K for a standard size.

 

[Mrhorsepower1]

Carrillo is the absolute best. A set is actually $2400.00 now. Oliver and Crower billet rods also are a top notch choice @ $1200.00 to $1400.00 per set of 8. For this application the Manley or Callies would be my choice for the dollar.

 

[Trim'd Up]

I'd love to use a set of Carillo's or olivers. Who is going to donate me a set? I just don't think a 650 hp motor need $2500 rods, and I can't afford them either.

 

[Trim'd Up]

Well, it looks like I am going stroker. That Dean is a bad influence. Anybody need a crank and rods?