BTW, besides Crower still making rods, Carillo and Oliver still make rods. What company hasn't copied the H beam Carrilo rods?
If you want to keep American rod manufactures in business, those are the rods that should be in quality builds.
I think you are crossing streams.
1 - No two rods I have seen are alike, other than close similarity to K1 and Molnar, who were business associates. Even then, the bolt design is a bit different. I am not buying into your claim of everyone copying. If we want to speculate I bet we could find some old Duesenberg or some other 30's car that had an H-beam capscrew long ago. That being said, yes, I sure would like to use all-American stuff, but we have to be realistic in what we stand for and against.
2 - As an engine builder, I cannot justify spending more than what the engine needs, I give them the option and explain off shore sourcing, but to add 400+ for rods above a Molnar (or more than that as an upgrade from SCAT I-beams) is usually a show stopper.
I would prefer to use a fully USA-made rod, but I have to accept an engine is an expense, not an investment, in fact, I have to often remind customers that, so in turn they trust and expect us to tell them when something is sub-par
or overkill. In this case, the middle is Molnar, K1, and Callies offshore (although I shy away from Callies because they are heavy). Lesser like SCAT H-beam is very capable but heavy, I try to avoid those unless the customer has them. Eagle....well, when you have a set machined right, they are OK but heavy too, but when you have to resize a few you get turned off quickly and cost goes up.
3 - However, despite that, I can refuse to use parts. Don't bring a Procomp or Speedmaster part in. That decision can cost me if the customer leaves, and that's OK, I will be respectful and understand the position but I won't use Speedmaster stuff, both based on business practices and failures. I also won't use highjacked stuff. If it seems like I pick and choose, I do. American company tasks Chinese company to build something because it's cheaper...I don't like it, but I get it. Chinese company copies something and keeps trying until an Amercian company accepts it and badges it...different.
My opinion is this. If you want to sit and snipe at my comments, continue, I'll keep playing
However, if you want to do a Speedmaster build and go all the way up to the Promaxx heads, 200 dollar and Speedmaster rockers, go for it. Let us know how it runs and lasts and how much labor you had to add to the build
Additionally, you could build an all American engine with no offshore sourcing. I'll applaud you, but it'll be a lot of money and that's a very hard decision to make on an average Joe's budget.
