H beam connecting rods

[fekbmax]

I'm in the process of starting to gather parts for my aluminum  pond block build that I hope to get started on in late spring,
(I know, I know, haven't even finished the garden block mule yet lol but things should be picking up really quick on it soon).
Anyway these are the 3 rod choices I have came up with so far and about in the budget I wanna spend on rods. All 3 are within $100 of each other. I wonder what you guys thoughts are on these and which you think would be the best choice. 

K-1 technology  rods, have seen them advertised but thats about it.



Molnar Xtreme duty, I believe atleast one of the builders here have used Molnar rods before.



Callies Compstar, Callie is by far the more well known name.



Just wondering what you guys think, any opinions on these or perhaps another recommendation other than scat. ?

[FERoadster]

Keith: my H beam rods for a street build bow to yours.
Mine are for a 3.98 stroke 427 center oiler and were $420. not sure the brand. My builder, very knowable FE person bought them for my build.
Again I'm not going over 6000 very often just want durability and longevity. Kind of heavy Arias forged pistons.

Richard 

[fekbmax]

I'll be slinging in the range of 13 -14:1 static. 4.250 reach, 6.700 arm , 8000 rpm ish, clutchless 4 speed, a little juice, . Gonna need a decent rod.

[blykins]

None of the above.

Carrillo, Oliver, or Crower....

The K1 rod is the exact same as the Molnar rod....designed by the same guy.  The Compstar rod is the same as a Scat or Eagle H-beam with an ARP 2000 bolt.  For what you're doing, I would put some money into the rods...

[fekbmax]

So there $350 generic rods re labeled and carrying a $700 price tag. Hummm. Idts

[mike7570]

I purchased BBC Eagle H beam rods for my tunnel port back in the 90's. Ran them for years in super-gas to 7300rpm, no problems at all. (They did have the good ARP bolts)
I had to have them narrowed slightly to fit a NASCAR crank and I took them into Dick Landy's shop to get them narrowed up. He sure didn't like them, almost wouldn't accept the job.
He told me he thought they would break and pointed out the cap area at the bolts being machined down and leaving a sharp edge that was thinner then the rest of the cap and a place where stress risers could develop.
After I got them back I carefully deburred and smoothed out the area in question before I used them. I think they were about $400 at the time.
Most of the pictures I have seen of rod failures are were they came apart (broke) on the beam below the small end.
Has anyone seen the cap fail as a cause of breakage?

[fekbmax]

I have had two eagle rods at different times break right at the big end. Got lucky once, second time it tore everything to pieces. No more eagle for me .

[XR7]

I have to dis-agree with Brent. The Callies Compstar are nothing like Eagle or Scat, other than being imported, (Compstar's are final machining in the US). I have had both side by side and took pictures but basically there is no comparison. I think for an imported budget rod, they are the best choice.

The Compstar rods I have in my engine had L19 bolts and besides the obvious big end difference, there are differences everywhere else also. The Molnar and K1 look like good rods, but very lightweight, I was afraid of them for that reason only. The Compstar are heavier and weigh similar to Oliver and Crower for similar length rods, and about 35 grams heavier than the Eagles. The K1 rods weigh about 75 grams LESS. I think it is Tom Molnar that designed the K1 and Molnar rods, he worked for Oliver before that, so he is pretty sharp. I have not heard anything bad about any of his products, I was just leary of them being so lightweight!

I have bought several sets and would buy them again, maybe if the budget allowed I would go for the Callies Ultra before Oliver or Crower. Just my opinion. I'll see if I can dig out the pictures of the comparison between Eagle and Compstar's. I took a lot of them from different angles.

[blykins]

The Compstar line is Callies' offshore line and that's what I was referring to.  Eagle and Scat are forged overseas and machined here.  So are the Compstar rods and cranks.  I would consider the Compstar strength on par with a Scat rod with similar quality fasteners.

The Molnar rods are pretty light. One of the lightest bob weights I've ever had was with a Molnar rod.  But every time I call to order a set, they are very careful in helping pick the correct rod and they will quickly tell you if they think you are pushing the limits. 

[fekbmax]

I like the big end of the Compstar but I'm liking the beefy cross section of the Xtreme duty Molnar . Leaning in that direction. 

[blykins]

If you lean that direction, call them first before you buy a set.  They may tell you that your rpm requirements are too high for the rods.

[Leny Mason]

Hi, I would Carrillo's I have had very good luck with the ones I have used, all the parts that get ruined with a bad rod cheap insurance  that is my vote. Leny Mason

[cammerfe]

I like GRP rods.

KS