Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

Any benifits of smaller rod journals?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 10, 2011 | 05:56 AM
  #1  
QTB's Avatar
QTB
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Default Any benifits of smaller rod journals?

I'm getting ready to build my bottem end and I'm wondering what the pros and cons are?

It seems you reduce the linear speed of the bearing by about 5% if you go from a 2.100" to a 2.000", but what if any down sides are there?
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2011 | 11:51 AM
  #2  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Other than reducing journal overlap, nothing really. The rod big end will be smaller (more clearance) and lighter (smaller bobweight), plus the reduction in bearing speed (less friction) so the pros really outweigh the cons in most applications .
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2011 | 01:49 AM
  #3  
briancb1's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Default

The bearing speed will be reduced and the big end will actually weigh a small amount more, but not by much at all. IMO, nothing to write home about unless you're starting to turn high rpm frequently.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #4  
Jimbo1367's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,034
Likes: 663
Default

LESS clearancing of the block +
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2011 | 04:36 PM
  #5  
Monzsta's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
Default

Less metal in the oil when they spin.
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2011 | 09:48 AM
  #6  
ND400's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Default

Pro : less parasitic loss Katech has an awesome video on you tube showing the c5r engine developing and the use of smaller bearing diameters which increased horsepower.

Con: will wear out faster due to have less bearing surface.

IMO: unless your building a high rpm sprint engine that your gonna year down and freshen up often if stick with the larger.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2011 | 12:07 PM
  #7  
SlIm95's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
Default

Big stroke motors with large cam cores it really helps.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2011 | 09:41 PM
  #8  
STROKER R/T's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: toronto
Default

just ran up on this dilmia /cough cough !! 2 in they dont build this rod for much more then 1000 hp soooo 2 1/2 is the way to go for bigger hp more choices ..in rods if your motor only ya there is always more power in less rotating
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 11:54 AM
  #9  
QTB's Avatar
QTB
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the feedback guys! I think I'm going to go for the smaller 2.000 journals and just check the bearings at the end of the "season" to see if they need to be replaced. Callies Compstar has all the goods to support it rod wise and Clevite makes the bearings. I'm not planning on huge power, ~525 BHP or so and would like it around 6800-7200 rpms so I think I'm on the right track.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 05:00:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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