I've been looking at some of the "mid priced" rods and found a few interesting choices in the $400- $500 range. I'm hoping I can get some recommendations/ feedback from those who've been there.
This will be for a daily driven 383 that will be in the 400hp range (hypothetically), possibly raced on weekends, possibly sprayed (+100hp or more)
These are 6" rods, all rated for 500- 550 hp.

Lunati Street Race PN- LHD1
I beam, cap screw, stroker clearanced, 600 grams - $399

Manley Sportsmaster PN-14103
profiled I beam, cap screw, 578 g -$477

Eagle Featherweight PN- CRS6000BLW
H beam, cap screw, stroker clearanced, 545g -$489

Any feedback, cautionary notes, horror stories appreciated.

Thanks for helping out, as always.

 

never used any of them, but i have used lot of lunati and manely products. i'd buy the lunati rods, besides being cheapest i've had great sucess with their parts for a lot of years. 400hp isn't alot to ask any of the rods to support.

 

Yep, with only 400 hp I'ld go with the most budget friendly rods, the Lunati's.
Lunati's stuff is pretty top notch and even though they're the heaviest the weight differance between the rods shouldn't be of concern on a low hp low RPM motor.

 

My guess is that these are all good rods.
And with each, as the price goes up, you get added features.
I edited in to the original question that I might use nitrous, or possibly other power adder.

Can anyone give any reasons why any one of these rods wouldn't be a good choice?

(if my ex is reading this, she needn't bother to advise me on that question)

 

FWIW, I am buying the Eagle 5.85" length H-beam rods for my 395 cu in project,,, part # CRS5850B3D.

I am looking to make 450Ft-lbs of torque minimum or 400HP. Also, nitrious or an SC might go on the motor next year.

 

Power adder or not, any one set of the rods you've picked out will work great (in a 500 +/- hp motor).

The only gripe (I know of) that people have is with the Eagles not being American made.They feel that because they're not made in the USA that they are some how inferior.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by doc

[B]FWIW, I am buying the Eagle 5.85" length H-beam rods for my 395 cu in project,,, part # CRS5850B3D.

Just wondering if you've looked at the Eagle featherweight H beams?
At first the cost sort of scared me off, then I looked at the weight savings, and they're 110 grams less. That adds up to 2 lbs! per set.
That seems like it could be a noticable difference.
Just thought I'd throw that in....

And thanks for the replies

 

No I did not even know that they exist. I'll check it out, but if they are light weight, then what effect does that have on reliability?

 

Most manufacturers/machinists will remove as much weight as they can from places that won't effect strength.

If you go with the lightest pistons you can find/afford it will ease alot of the force that would be placed on a weak rod. Plus it's well accepted that before you start makeing the crank lighter and start going with lighter rods you should go with lighter pistons first (i.e it's not a good idea to use a cast crank, light weight or stock rods, and then top them off with some heavy TRW or otherwise pistons).

 

Thanks for the insight S.L.
Some links:
http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/category.asp?CtgID=8085
http://www.dyno-flo.com/proddetail.a...340FWT&from=47

So I'm guessing that the 395 is 3.875" stroke x 4.030 bore?
And a 5.85" rod with a piston of 1.230" comp ht. goes with that?
Mebbe that's something I should look into ....
But where did you find the piston?
Or are you using a 1.25" comp ht piston with a .055" gasket?