I wondered what was available, OTHER THAN THE STOCK MOPAR RODS, what was available. So I did a little searching, limiting the search to 6.123 c/c rods.
Found:
Molnar, H Beam
K1, H Beam
Howards, H Beam
Eagle, both I Beam and H Beam
Scat, both I Beam and H Beam
Did I miss any? Seems we are kind of limited in our choice for an aftermarket source.
Crankshaft choices seem to be even more limited, especially for a stock stroke crank. The only NEW, not reman, crank I found was made by Eagle.
However, after talking with several professional engine builders and receiving their cautions concerning crankshaft quality, I rejected that avenue.
I did not consider a reman crank for a variety of reasons.
I started this with a bare block, main caps, and a set of rebuilt stock iron heads I had laying around. No crank, rods, or pistons. Wanted to build a mildish 318 for a street driven Willys pickup project.
I have abandoned the search for a NEW 3.31 stroke crank. That leaves strokers and a choice of from 3.58, 3.79, 4.00, and 4.125.
In my personal humble opinion, the rod ratio on the 4.00 and 4.125 are to low and put too much side load on the cylinder walls and pistons. For a strip motor, probably just fine, but not for a daily use street motor I expect to last a long time.
So that leaves the 3.58 and 3.79 strokes. For me, I chose the 3.58 stroke for it's more favorable rod ratio, better bore ratio, and a more favorable pin height. Molnar makes this one. A bit pricey, but I can deal with that for a quality product. Using this crank leaves no choice but to use a custom piston since no one has an off the shelf piston for a 3.940 bore, 3.58 stroke, 6.123 rod. But pistons are a subject for later.
That left me on a search for connecting rods, since I do not have any. For this build an I Beam rod is more than capable. But I have no experience with either Scat or Eagle and they seem to be they only choice for an I Beam rod.
What connecting rods have you personally used or are using that have proven to be reliable and durable?
And before you ask:
Strictly street driven
5000 rpm maximum, 70 mph cruise approx 2500 rpm
either a 727 with a gear vendors OD or a 518 (have both buried around here somewhere)
Rear end is a old frankenstein quick change I saved from a dirt car 30 some years ago after I totaled it
318 block +0.030 (because I had it)
3.58 stroke forged crank
Lunati Voodoo Cam and kit (because I had it)
Very mildly ported iron heads (because I had them)
Weiand intake (because I had it)
Holley Street Demon (had to buy this one)
Appreciate any advice you have.
