Im getting ready to build a forged shortblock for my TVS to go on.

Is there any advantage or disadvantage going with a forged stock length connecting rod? I will be using a stock stroke crank. My thinking is with the shorter rod, that would put a little more material at the top of the piston? Or do they compensate the difference in lengths with the placement of the wrist pin?

Thanks!

 

When you get longer rods you will have to get different piston, as they move the placement of the wrist pin. The advantage of longer rods is that they increase dwell time at TDC

 

It also changes the rod/stroke ratio and doesn't put as much side load on the piston. Don't worry about piston compression height (piston pin location) with a stock stroke crank because there is plenty of room with the tall decks of LSx engines. Stock rods are already pretty long at 6.098". The average aftermarket rod is 6.125" and they make a 6.200" rod as well. On a stock stroke a 6.200" rod will work perfectly fine and still keep plenty of space between the pin and piston top.

Just for reference the compression height of stock pistons is 1.338". Most engine builders like to keep the compression height no lower than 1". So with that said you could go with a 6.200" rod and still use a 1.236 compression height piston to place it exactly where your stock pistons are located with reference to the block deck surface.