Steel vs aluminum rods
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2 wicked
gt350hr
dfree383
Ford466
8 posters
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Steel vs aluminum rods
Hi I am putting parts together for my next pull truck motor build it will be a stock 3.85 stroke 470ci or so dome pistons and cast iron heads, and rpm will be 8500-9000, what would your choice of rods be steel or aluminum and why?
Thanks
Thanks
Ford466- Posts : 7
Join date : 2020-05-28
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
Billet Steel, long life as and better power
dfree383- BBF CONTRIBUTOR
- Posts : 14843
Join date : 2009-07-09
Location : Home Wif Da Wife.....
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
Steel makes more power. NHRA Pro Stockers (10,000+ rpm) figured that out 20 or more years ago after 30 years of running aluminum rods.
gt350hr- Posts : 662
Join date : 2014-08-20
Location : Anaheim , CA
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
Well I pondered this situation for a year before we bought our aluminum rods. There are attributes to both I think. We have steel in our 557. Found one was bent when we tire down for inspection. #1 rod bearing worn shiny almost all overlay gone. 3/16 wide on inside edge of bearing. Took rod to machine shop- definitely bent. They were eagle rods hbeam. Ran them 4 years. I don't think any race parts are going to live a long life, when pushed to the limits. Just my thoughts.
2 wicked- Posts : 211
Join date : 2019-01-02
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
I’ve ran both in my truck and aluminum is more forgiving. If it detonates you’ll need bearings with the steel rod. Aluminum is easier on the block if it lets go too. 🥴
cool40- BBF CONTRIBUTOR
- Posts : 7312
Join date : 2009-08-31
Age : 53
Location : on the 1/8 mile dyno
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
dfree383 wrote:Billet Steel, long life as and better power
And oil temp becomes a non-issue.
Mark O'Neal- Posts : 286
Join date : 2009-08-12
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
Ford466 wrote:Hi I am putting parts together for my next pull truck motor build it will be a stock 3.85 stroke 470ci or so dome pistons and cast iron heads, and rpm will be 8500-9000, what would your choice of rods be steel or aluminum and why?
Thanks
The ultimate question is how much time and $$ are you willing to spend on maintenance? Aluminum rods are a consumable item, you have to be willing to remove a perfectly good part just in case.
I look at it this way, if Kenny Duttweiler uses steel rods in the Speed Demon streamliner engines (8000-9500 RPM for 5 miles) then that’s the way I’m gonna lean.
wickettoby1- Posts : 352
Join date : 2016-02-02
Location : SE Michigan
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
It's not that hard. Just take them out one run before they break!..
Last edited by Mark O'Neal on January 26th 2021, 3:59 am; edited 1 time in total
Mark O'Neal- Posts : 286
Join date : 2009-08-12
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
Aluminum rods have their own applications. Nitro fueled engines being one. You sure as heck don't want a steel rod in a Nitro engine. The crank would crack on the warm up.
gt350hr- Posts : 662
Join date : 2014-08-20
Location : Anaheim , CA
Re: Steel vs aluminum rods
I know that manufacturing and metallurgy have made big advancements over the past few years but I'd probably still be a little leary of 'em.
As big as they are, I'd think windage might be more of an issue with them as opposed to H-beam steelies.
The last one I used was for a steering column bracket in a street rod, they work great for that!
As big as they are, I'd think windage might be more of an issue with them as opposed to H-beam steelies.
The last one I used was for a steering column bracket in a street rod, they work great for that!
Busted Knuckles- Posts : 5
Join date : 2016-08-11
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