4340 connecting rod demand

[Trbobuick]

Hello all,

Currently i am sending a company a stock rod to measure and make me a set of I beam rods. The owner was going to make them a regular offering and assign a part number but was worried about demand. The owner will make a set of I beam 4340 rods with arp rob bolts for right around 300.00 a set. Is anybody interested in a set? He said he would make H beam rods if there was also enough demand .


Brian

 

[qwknuf6]

That's a good price for a off -center rod! As they are more difficult to machine

 

[Chuck Leeper]

"I" beam rods

One of the problems w/ the off ctr engine is the bending moment realized at the area just under the wrist pin. That area on an "I" beam rod is weaker than a "H" beam rod.
A suggestion: Have the shop give you a price on the "H" design too. That way, perhaps that design would be more compatible w/ the new T/A Perf. block, for those retaining the off ctr design.

Back under my rock...

 

[dconnor]

Looks like a good idea IMHO

Doug C.

 

[Louie L.]

I agree with Chuck. Are they gonna offer different lenghts? Either way keep us posted.

 

[gato]

I dont think so.

I'll take 100 sets for that price, 600 pcs.

Oliver charges $850 wholesale for a 6.00" rod, offcenter.
Retail is $1050. In lots of 100 sets, they quoted me $700.

Whoever gave you the price has never done it before, because the price is way too low.

4340 for 6 rods, material is $45.00. ARP rod bolts, wholesale $30.00 for the good ones. Then you have to shotpeen them, magnaflux, finish size both ends. Magnafluxing alone will run $5.00 each for an outside service. Plus carburizing/case harden to 40 Rc. Another $5.00 each. Sides on big end will also need grinding.

This doesn't include any of the maching to the rod. Probably another 60+minutes of machining.

Then you need an outside service to do shock, stress, and load testing on the design, at least thats what you get when you buy from Oliver, Carillo, and Manley.

But if you want to put a $300 set of rods in a $5000 motor, go ahead.

 

[Trbobuick]

GATO-
# 1 reason buick parts cost what they do: Captive audiance. Who else but us would pay 800 for rods? This is a major company i am dealing with, not some guy in metal shop with oil-sand and a tub of molten iron. Our rods are close to a chevy rod besides the off center, why can eagle charge 450 bucks for 8 rods ?

How many of you know that they are just retro fit small block chevy lifters? all the companys will say no but i know diffrent.

Heres a little story about our buick roller lifters. A company in michigan makes ALL of the roller lifters currently on the market. That company sells the the lifters to Speed pro for $5.10 FOR 2 LIFTERS AND A CROSS BAR. yes, both lifters and a cross bar. Speed pro then turns a round and sells the lifters to comp, crane, lunati, engine works, jegs, summit, Gm , Ford, ECT. for 8.00 bucks for the same 2 lifters and cross bar combo. Companys then take those 8 buck lifters and sell them for around 300 bucks a set. Now if you could get these lifters made for you by the same company that made them and bought them for say 6 bucks a piece does that make that lifter junk? NO.

That is what i am trying to do. Understand now? as soon as i get my rods made ill share the info. What you do with the info is up to you.

Brian

 

[FJM568]

IMO, other than the block being done now by TA Perf., the next thing on the list should be replacement turbo cranks...The stock rods will take a lot of abuse if properly reconditioned...The rods aren't the weak point in the system, the block and crank is...The block is being taken care of now so....Next up...

Cranks!!! We want turbo cranks!!! oh yeah...AFFORDABLE turbo cranks!!!

 

[Trbobuick]

fjm, you missed the point. to recon stock rods for duty it will cost about 300-400 bucks. if we can get stronger new rods for the same price it will be a no brainer.

as for the cranks....i will send him the power source scematic.


Brian

 

[FJM568]

Ummm...no I didn't...The factory rods aren't the weak point in the motor...The crank and the block is...Resize the big end on the factory rods and put ARP bolts in it and the turbo crank and/or the block will break first...The factory rods are plenty strong...

A new block is on the way, now we need a new forged turbo crank to complement it...

 

[Trbobuick]

i will have the rod and crank drawings done by GM on disk very soon. i will get pricing for I beam, H-beam rods as well as 3.4 stroke crank and a 3.625 inch stroker crank. i think a stroker crank is what we ALL need


Brain

 

[PCS74]

I feel the rods are the weak link. In the several failed buick engines I have seen the rods were the cause.


Chris S