ktm2002

thinking about building a 409 iron block buildup.can aluminum rods be used to lightened up the rotating assembly. <img border="0" alt="[driving]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_driving3.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[burn out]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_burnout.gif" />

jleews6

iTrader: (2)

They wont last long on the street. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

ktm2002

why won't they last in a street motor. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

Aluminum is softer than the forged steel rods and since the meatal is softer the deteriorate quicker. Using then on a daily basis would put too much wear on the rods and maybe even the bearings and journals after a while. Stick with the tried and true forged steel. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

LS1derfull

I disagree, aluminum rods tensile
strength is temporarily weakened as running temp goes up, but for light duty street driving they are plenty strong. As for race duty aluminum rods have a life cycle of around 200 passes at hi rpm. Light pistons can extend this life cycle. Street driving does not tax these rods so you could realisticly get like 3 years or so out of a set, depending on how many full throttle blasts you put on motor in that time. Most people here dont turn past 7000 rpm so these rods have a fairly easy life in LS1 application. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

dug

iTrader: (10)

The real question is whether or not they will fit in a stroker application.

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

They are physically going to be bigger.

They really don't save any weight either. The size of the rods is increased so much for the strength that they end up weighting the same as really good billet steel rods.

The ral use for a Al rod is to dampen the loads from high rpm and high load engines such as N2O, Nitro, or blown engines.

Ditto the 200 runs. There really is not point on a street car though.

Bret

smokin' joe 00 ss

ReherMorrison make 450 passes with there alluimun rods on their pro stock motors before they replace them just because know one is really sure just how long they will last but as of yet they have found no problems with them on 1300 HP. One thing about these rods is that they will grow not stretch as they get hot so this has to be taken into acount when machining the block.

1CAMWNDR

iTrader: (21)

I agree. The Al rods are just not worth it on a street motor. What about Titanium? Doesn't that Honds S2000 have titanium connecting rods? What would the $$$ difference be between Ti and forged steel?

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

And I didnt even know that they made Al rods for the LS1's <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 1CAMWNDR:
<strong> I agree. The Al rods are just not worth it on a street motor. What about Titanium? Doesn't that Honds S2000 have titanium connecting rods? What would the $$$ difference be between Ti and forged steel? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The S2000 uses steel rods.

Really good steel rods are VAR300M and cost about $400 a rod vs. Ti ones that are at least that to more depending upon the craftsmanship.

Bret

Racehead

I believe that the Honda NSX is the car that has titanium rods from the factory. I think that they are about $2500-$3500 per set <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

HITMANSS

Aluminum rods are also VERY noisy at start-up, at least until they warm up.

LS1derfull

I have to disagree with StrokerAce about aluminum rods not being much lighter because they are. My 6" Manleys weigh 470 grams with 7/16's rod bolts. Steel aftermarket rods will weigh 600+ grams easy. This is a big difference, and you can feel the difference in acceleration which is what racing is all about. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

1CAMWNDR

iTrader: (21)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Racehead:
<strong> I believe that the Honda NSX is the car that has titanium rods from the factory. I think that they are about $2500-$3500 per set <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">OUCH! Don't see that being an option. <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
When I get to rebuild the motor it will be good old fasioned Forged Steel. What about Billet Steel?

smokin' joe 00 ss

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LS1derfull:
<strong> I have to disagree with StrokerAce about aluminum rods not being much lighter because they are. My 6" Manleys weigh 470 grams with 7/16's rod bolts. Steel aftermarket rods will weigh 600+ grams easy. This is a big difference, and you can feel the difference in acceleration which is what racing is all about. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ditto, they just look heavier because they have more mass to them for strength.

ls1290

iTrader: (20)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Racehead:
<strong>I think that they are about $2500-$3500 per set <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">OMG, that is about $625 to $875 per rod <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

Well there are Steel Rods that weigh that little, but they cost so dam much, they are Winston Cup rods. They have a spec weight of 475g I think in the rule book.

Bret

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

I think that they are about $2500-$3500 per set <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />


I guess that means no more bitching about the cost of LS1 parts right <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />