I'm starting to build a 355 kinda a backup motor in case something happens to the 396... i want to build it mainly for nitrous.. I know aluminum won't have the life steel rods will have just woundering if anyone has done it?? The only money i'm going to have in the motor is the cam/heads and rods because the rest was given to me.. So do you guys think i should try the rods, or stick with what i know works???

 

I would say if this were a all out race car and you were trying to set a record, sure put aluminum rods in it. Other wise stay away.

But then again my car is really not streeable any more but I drive it all over the place.

 

They don't last long enough for street use.

Rich Krause

 

If it's a street car at all I'd stay away from them. Get a set of Oliver rods or an equivilant. Think of it like this aluminium rod life is measured in hours of use not miles. Also if you not going all out with a high reving, 8000+, light weight internals i.e. Billet crank, titanium wrist pins, lightened pistons ect... You won't see much gain.

 

I personally wouldn't use them but people do some crazy things.

I always like to hear the other side of everything so I'll post this link and you can see what Bruce Fulper of Rock and Roll Engineering has to say on the matter. BTW, Bruce knows his stuff and builds some very quick Ponchos. Mucho respect for the guys at RRE.

Anyways, here's the link. http://www.pontiacpower.com/faqs2.htm

YMMV!

-Mindgame

 

thanks for the info, i think i'm going to talk to a few more engine builders and see what they think... I think i am leaning towards the aluminum rods, the car sees little street time. And besides i want to try something different.. If it blows up, i'll put some steel rods in it and say you told me so!!!! Anyone else want to put your .02 in feel free to do so..

 

quench height needs to be at least 0.060 with Al rods from what I've been told... that's about as crappy as the stock LT1

Interesting idea, but don't plan on it going 20,000 miles. There's a reason pro's toss the rods after 20 to 100 runs. I think Bruce Fulper listed 500 as the most passes he's seen on that site Mindgame provided.

500 sounds like a bunch of passes... almost 130 miles at WOT! I belive Porsche used to say 1 miles near redline was equivalent to 1000 miles on the street... but I have a feeling those rods wouldn't last 130,000 miles without incident. (but whose to say really?)

 

Those nice PM steel rods in an OEM engine like a 4 in. stroke 4200 I6 (or 3500 I5) got tested for 150,000 miles at WOT near redline (about 6000). A few were tested to 300,000 miles at those conditions.

It hard to argue with the logic "And besides i want to try something different.. If it blows up, i'll put some steel rods in it..." If you tell that to the engine builders, and assure them they will also get to build your second engine with the steel rods, more of them might suggest the aluminum!