connecting rod question

[kenny b]

1971 Dodge Demon

What horsepower are the stock LY big block connecting rods good for. I'm building a 440 with wiseco 030 over 2 relief flat top pistons using the stock steel crank and aluminum main caps. Are the connecting rods OK to have rebuilt and bushings installed or should I spend the money on new aftermarket rods. The motor will have 906 heads and a mild street cam. I live 80 miles to the closest strip so maybe only one trip a year to the track.

kenny b

 

[70dartman]

In my own opinion the stock rods are fine for what you are doing...I drove a guys car last wekend that has about the same build you are talking, but with trw pistons, steel crank and stock rods...906 heads.. this motor has been raced the last 4 yrs...I run 3 - 6.94's in the 1/8th with it...It crosses the 1/4 at 6600 rpm and this car is trouble free...Now keep in mind, this bottom end does have good machine work...Hope this info will help...Lee

 

[Sanguine]

Get them shotpeened,magna fluxed, resized and rebushed and you should be fine

nothing to worry about

 

[dusterdon]

Check how much it will cost to get them rebuilt, ie. resized, shotpeened, polished and the price of new bolts. Then see how much you can get a new set of aftermarket rods for. You might be amazed.

 

[moper]

What Don said. Those Wiseco pistons are floating pin, right? So add the cost of bushing teh rods' small ends to fit. Buy a set of 440Source's Platinum rods. Better strength for the same money. Also, why alumnimum caps for such a mild application? Aluminum is meant to absorb massive shock loads to cushion the main webbing. It does have a finite service life too. You would be better served using stock steel caps.