LT1 forged connecting rods
93-94 LT1 engines have forged chevy PINK rods. 95-97 have powder metal rods. I believe that the powder metal rods are supposed to be a little stronger. My stock 94 rods have seen over 550hp on nitrous with out problems.
Originally Posted by foggedz
93-94 LT1 engines have forged chevy PINK rods. 95-97 have powder metal rods. I believe that the powder metal rods are supposed to be a little stronger. My stock 94 rods have seen over 550hp on nitrous with out problems.
If it was me:
A. I wouldn't be too excited about any high ammounts of boost on the stock shortblock. It is on borrowed time as it is. I know when PTK was doing testing on their LT1 Turbo kit -- with a PT76 and 10psi -- the car made 4 passes (and some dyno pulls for tuning) before it started puffing smoke out of the exhaust on the third pass. The fifth pass it let go at half track.
B. If I have my motor out, and I'm rebuilding the motor anyways, I'd get all the right parts the first time. Yes, I'm well aware there is such a thing as budget constraints, but I'd rather have the build take an extra 6 months and know for sure what I'm putting back in the car will put up with any abuse I give it.
I'm pretty sure they're all powdered metal for the LT1. I think Summit used to have them listed for 500 hp. That listing doesn't have any info like that anymore though.
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I have had one 94 apart and a few 95s and a 96, the 94 is pink rods, maybe they switched mid-year, most folks I have talked to say 94 and earlier were pinks.
Far as forged I believe the powdered metal are a type of forged just do not fit the decades old usual description of forged. The "powdered metal" and other ingredients are heated and forged to form a solid piece is my understanding.
The "pink" rods were LONG considered to be the ultimate factory rods but they are straight out of the late 60s-early70s LT-1.
Far as forged I believe the powdered metal are a type of forged just do not fit the decades old usual description of forged. The "powdered metal" and other ingredients are heated and forged to form a solid piece is my understanding.
The "pink" rods were LONG considered to be the ultimate factory rods but they are straight out of the late 60s-early70s LT-1.
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PM Rods didnt make it in Camaro's untill early 95. They were in the vette's form 92+ and like ^ said the 93-94 f bodys used the pink rods. Nothing wrong with either of them on a N/A motor. When you start boosting them is when the become the weaker link. I Built my 355 With forged Eagle rods due to future plans.
Originally Posted by DroppedM6Z
PM Rods didnt make it in Camaro's untill early 95. They were in the vette's form 92+ and like ^ said the 93-94 f bodys used the pink rods. Nothing wrong with either of them on a N/A motor. When you start boosting them is when the become the weaker link. I Built my 355 With forged Eagle rods due to future plans.
My 2 94's were late production but I never thought them to be pinks. I'll never know cuz both sets are long gone.
Last edited by dhdenney; Mar 17, 2007 at 01:03 PM.
Originally Posted by foggedz
I have my short block sitting on an engine stand in right next to me, and I can assure you that it has forged Pink rods.
Originally Posted by foggedz
I have my short block sitting on an engine stand in right next to me, and I can assure you that it has forged Pink rods.
Originally Posted by dhdenney
Since we've sparked the discussion, what's the distinguishing features between the pink and the PM rods? I kinda wish I still had those rods so I could find out what they were.
The PM rods are much smoother looking than the Pink rods. On the big end of the rod the PM rods have a much ceaner casting than the Pink rods also. IMO the PM rod looks much nicer than the Pink rod, but thats what I had from the factory, so for my basic freshen up I left them in.
Originally Posted by DroppedM6Z
Thats nice.....but the PM rods are stronger, GM changed due to PM rods being cheaper to make.
I said that the PM rods were stronger my first post in the topic. I wasnt braging that I had them just confirming that the came in 93-94 LT1.
My car has put down 350 to the rear tires on motor through a unlocked big stall th350. Should be somewhere around 410 at the flywheel. The motor has also seen quite a few 150hp shots of nitrous, so I can say for sure that they can hold more than 550hp in stock trim. This year I will still have the stock rods but I had them resized and new ARP wavelock rod bolts installed.
Sorry i didnt mean to sound like a dick. LT1 rods can hold a beating....bottom line. I spin my 355 to 7K about everytime i'm out playin. Sounds like you went through the right steps to spin almost or as high.
Originally Posted by foggedz
The PM rods are much smoother looking than the Pink rods. On the big end of the rod the PM rods have a much ceaner casting than the Pink rods also. IMO the PM rod looks much nicer than the Pink rod, but thats what I had from the factory, so for my basic freshen up I left them in.