Here's the way I see it. You cannot find a rod made in the USA for the prices you're talking about. All of them come from overseas. The metallurgy is not known to be consistent. You may get a good set. You may not. I would much rather have good steel from the 60s and 70s and rebuild them than risk any of the rods in that price range. I know there are a LOT of them out there running, but that's just my personal preference. As for the weight, how many drag racing records were made and broken with the stock rods? I don't think weight made that much difference then. In fact, I think people go overboard on it. Those stock bottom ends lasted a long time. Like I said, this is all my personal opinion.