Advanced Engineering Tech For the more hardcore LS1TECH residents

Modifications Necessary To Use Gen I Rods

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #1  
Bilster's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Default Modifications Necessary To Use Gen I Rods

I need to know what modifications are necessary to use Gen I rods in an LS build. I have an expensive, nice set of 6.25" long Crower titanium rods that I was going to use in a Gen I build but got pulled into the allure of building LS motors and have really never looked back. Because of the rod length is unusual, I'm not going to get my money out of them so I might as well look into the modifications that will make them usable for me. Can anyone detail these mods?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 02:34 PM
  #2  
XtraCajunSS's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 4
From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Default

You'll need a piston with a custom compression height dependant upon your choice of stroke. Do you know what bore and stroke you are going for? The piston may be a shelf stock part for some manufacturers.

Shane
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2010 | 03:16 PM
  #3  
Bilster's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Default

Shane,

I am aware of the piston compression height. I did actually find an off the shelf unit that will work. I've got an LS6 and will be using the stock stroke along with the 6.25" rods. I need a compression height of 1.179. Probe has a piston for a 3.900" stroke and a 6.125" rod. It's part number is 14228-PS-C373. It shares the compression height that I need.

My question is actually based on the modifications needed for the rod itself. There is something to do with correcting the off-set of the SBC rod and the fact that SBC rods are chamfered at the big end and apparently LS rods are not. It's these type of issues that I'm questioning.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2010 | 09:08 AM
  #4  
Oldsmobility85's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 2
Default

Im not completely positive but aren't conventional small block rod journals (2.100in) larger than ls rod journals? That means you would have to use a thicker bearing or custom crankshaft.

I was reading in engine masters about Robin Lawrance's LSX build for that nova and he was originally having problems with scalloping of the bearings due to crankshaft deflection. To correct the problem he dropped the stroke down and brought the motor from a 454 to a 434 inch motor and had a custom crankshaft built that utilized small chevy 2.100 rod journals for added strength.

Anyhow maybe that will give you something to look into. As far as the chamfering goes a chamfered rod can go on a non chamfered crankshaft but not vice versa. But the bearing itself is what you have to worry about most. P series bearings are for normal stock style crankshafts and H bearings are for your better aftermarket style cranks utilizing .125 fillets for added strength.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2010 | 04:31 PM
  #5  
Taspeed's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Arlington, TX
Default

you can see my post in the gen III forum
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2010 | 11:58 AM
  #6  
XtraCajunSS's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 4
From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Default

There are no modifications necessary. The rods interchange. The only difference is the offset. LS1 rods are "on-center" whereas SBC rods have an offset between the big end and little end. Back before LS1 rods were common, I build many, many LS engines with 6.125 SBC rods. FWIW, the connecting rod bearings for LS and SBC are the same part.

Shane
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2010 | 05:22 PM
  #7  
JAX04's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,220
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

so is there any reason why one would choose the LS rods over the SBC then?? Does that offset make the rod weaker?? If it does, does it even matter, say, below 1000 whp??
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2010 | 05:57 PM
  #8  
NemeSS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (127)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 9
From: Houston,TX
Default

ive used sbc rods in ls engines before as well. no biggie. i will be using them in my next build. as matter of fact. with custom compression height pistons.
and bore.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 01:10 PM
  #9  
Oldsmobility85's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by XtraCajunSS
There are no modifications necessary. The rods interchange. The only difference is the offset. LS1 rods are "on-center" whereas SBC rods have an offset between the big end and little end. Back before LS1 rods were common, I build many, many LS engines with 6.125 SBC rods. FWIW, the connecting rod bearings for LS and SBC are the same part.

Shane
That's great info. thanks for your post.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:09 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE