I've been browsing through this thread, and thought it would be a good read:

Connecting Rod stuff

I'm at work right now, but i'm trying to form a few questions to ask you engine builders/other engineers later on.

 

Thanks for the link. It is an interesting read, but I think trying to reinvent the wheel (or the con rod) is like designing your own tires.

The folks who do this for a business, especially for the high-end racing world, like Carillo, Arrow, etc. have already done whatever we need. It's fortunate that we can buy off-the-shelf or purpose built rods for almost any applicaton.

Again, good link!

 

I'm suprised that maraging steel hasn't been brought up in that thread. Either way sounds like way too much money is being thrown around on something that already has been perfected by the top end con rod makers out there anyways.

Bret

 

We have much nicer parts available today than years past, and I agree that todays manufacturers spend countless hours in R&D to make sure the performance community has exactly what we need.

 

Does any have any experience/comments on the "precision powder" forged connecting rods that Howard's Racing Components is putting out. They seem to be rated for a bit more power then other rods of equal weight, and at a reasonable price.

Steve

 

Powdered metal forged rods have been out for a long while. If it's the same thing as "sintered" metal rods then they aren't anything special, but certainly better than cast.

 

www.howardscams.com

Check them out. They dont appear to be standard PM rods. Either a different forging process or just a beefier rod design. They also have cracked caps i believe.

Steve

 

I use Howards Higher end rods pretty frequently, but in general I stray away from powder metal components.