Please explain. 
aluminum connecting rods
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aluminum connecting rods Anyone ever use forged aluminum connecting rods in their builds? I've seen them advertised here and there... I think in Summit as well. They look beefy but they are also around 100g lighter per piece... I think around 20% lighter than a comperable forged steel rod. Any input or experience?
I would think the lighter components would give you some sort of power gain, right?
I would think the lighter components would give you some sort of power gain, right?
Last edited by FastKat; Aug 1, 2005 at 08:57 AM.
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Originally Posted by FastKat
Anyone ever use forged aluminum connecting rods in their builds? I've seen them advertised here and there... I think in Summit as well. They look beefy but they are also around 100g lighter per piece... I think around 20% lighter than a comperable forged steel rod. Any input or experience?
I would think the lighter components would give you some sort of power gain, right?
I would think the lighter components would give you some sort of power gain, right?
Aluminum rods are not for street car use. Great for high rpm, drag racing - but they will not live on the street.
Charlie
aluminum rods only "supposed" to last so long and need to be replaced in drag motors,i can't remember if it is fatigue,stretch or what but i would only put aluminum rods in a drag motor that i planned on rebuilding every season.
Aluminum rods are stronger but they will not last on the street. The aluminum rods will "give" instead of snapping in half like your typical rod. Lots of guys use the aluminum rods in big hp nitrous car because they can withstand the initial hit of nitrous alot better because they will "give" and not break. But, you have to junk them every so often for a new set because they only last so long. Some guys only run them for 80 passes, but some of the other brands of Aluminum rods can last 500 passes. So yeah, they are not for the street by any means..
They are very picky on temp, and do have a finite life span. Mostly from fatigue, aluminum is an unforgiving material when it comes to that.
Alot of racers runs them, and replace them on a regular basis. Like every 100 to 150 passes. I run them in my motor, and the acceleration of the motor w/ the aluminum versus a heavy steel rod was night and day.
Alot of racers runs them, and replace them on a regular basis. Like every 100 to 150 passes. I run them in my motor, and the acceleration of the motor w/ the aluminum versus a heavy steel rod was night and day.
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So are the ti rods similar to aluminum? I can't imagine gm putting them in the new z06 if you are going to have to replace them. Why would people go for aluminum instead of titanium. Is cost a big factor? (I would imagine)
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Originally Posted by 777
So are the ti rods similar to aluminum? I can't imagine gm putting them in the new z06 if you are going to have to replace them. Why would people go for aluminum instead of titanium. Is cost a big factor? (I would imagine)
But yeah, I don't think that there is much of a market for titanium rods in the drag industry. Billet rods are already expensive enough as it is! 
Titanium has properties more like steel than aluminum. The reason aluminum rods have to be repaced periodically is because aluminum stress fractures over time. Titanium is a great material, but very expensive. It has about the same strength as steel, but weighs 40% less. So it would make great con rods, just extremely expensive ones. I believe the new LS7 motor comes with Ti con rods.
Another issue with alum. rods is block and oil pan clearance. Most race motors that are using alum. rods are also using special oil pans and clearanced blocks. They may not phyiscally fit in some applications. I would love to have a set of Ti rods in my race engine, but at about $800 for steel rods, $1000+ for alum. rods that need regular replacement and $3000 for Ti rods, I'll stick to steel for now.
