Is it wise to build a motor w/ Aluminum rods and pistons

[TIGERJC]

Well WickedIXMR and me had a discussion about building a bottom end using Aluminum rods instead of the heavier H-beam Carrillo rods.

From what I have read, Aluminum rods are better for high revving motors. The rods don't eat up bearing like the Carrillo rods, but the weak point I heard about these rods are that these rods will eventually fail once a lot of miles are put on them.
So from what I have gathered, that Aluminum rods are perfect for high Revving motors that won't see a lot of miles and that will be teared down once a lot of miles is put on the motor.


Also I heard Carrillo rods would be a better choice for street car, mainly because the rods are strong and can hold up to the abuse of high revving. But the fall back is that the rods eat bearings.


Now understand I want ppl who know what they are talking about opinions on this matter.

After I get rid of my Mr2 :bump: (hopefully around tax time) I will be starting another project and what ever car I get next I will not be driving it a lot since I have two daily drivers. But because I don't have a tow vehicle, I will be putting on miles getting to and from the track, so I am just trying to figure out what rod would suit me better.

So would it be better to have a Carrillo rod, that the only thing that I would probably have to replace often is the bearing (much easier than rods)? But because of the weight of the rod, I have a better chance of blowing up the bottom end revving it up to 10k rpm

or

Aluminum rods would hold up better to a 10k rev than its heavier counterpart. But I will have to take apart the bottom end after so many miles of hard driving to replace the rods.

If anything I said is not true, plz bring it to light :goodjob:

[MIKE.P]

there are alot of people out there with aluminum rods reving them out to 10k as a dd...there are people that have put 50k on aluminum rods. also there are people out there with steel rods revving to 10k also. i.e the carrillo rods .it also depends on what kind of power you are going to be putting down..there are aluminum rods out there that can only handle 500hp then there are some that can handle 1000+ so it depends on the application....
and as far as bearings being eaten up...a well built motor you wouldnt have to worry about that...my personal app. for my 1000+hp 10k revving evo i will be either using carrillo rods or oliver rods

[TIGERJC]

Thats what WickedIXMR aka that chink said too. But I also read on the Supra forums saying that the rods are only good for 15k miles.

What ever I get my goal is atleast 650whp

[MIKE.P]

not true at all.....my personal app. for my 1000+hp 10k revving evo i will be either using carrillo rods or oliver rods

[AnthonyF]

Aluminum rods are lighter so obviously less mass to move equals quicker revs. But Aluminum rods, when they get hot they stretch and when they cool down then shrink back. So, the motor has to be built PERFECT for Aluminum rods or your smack all your valves when the engine heats up.

But i heard the same also, aluminum rods dont last as long. if it is just a weekend warrior, sure. But Id get the H beams.

[Init2winit]

Stay away from aluminum rods for a street car. Hell, my race car doesn't even have aluminum rods.

[TIGERJC]

Aluminum rods are lighter so obviously less mass to move equals quicker revs. But Aluminum rods, when they get hot they stretch and when they cool down then shrink back. So, the motor has to be built PERFECT for Aluminum rods or your smack all your valves when the engine heats up.

But i heard the same also, aluminum rods dont last as long. if it is just a weekend warrior, sure. But Id get the H beams.
I knew that I was forgetting something :goodjob:

I am looking at either going the supra or evo route when it comes to my next car. The only miles my car will see, will be the miles to the treadmill in Mexico and also trips down to Reynolds.

I just want a dependable motor that can atleast make it to 20-25k miles, if it gets more than that-->:D. Nothing is made to last forever, but I dont want to be tearing the motor down ever oil change either

[TIGERJC]

I wish I was ballin, then I would put titanium rods in it and call it a day

[Vteckidd]

Stay away from aluminum rods for a street car. Hell, my race car doesn't even have aluminum rods.
:goodjob:

[Vteckidd]

I wish I was ballin, then I would put titanium rods in it and call it a day
Titanium is worse than aluminum.

YOu would be replacing bearings every 1000 miles.

Independant tests have shown on NA Honda engines that Ti rods only gain power from 9500-10500. The gains were minimal, and they were worn out after 10 full dyno pulls.

Great for race cars, bad for street cars

Supras are making 1000whp on carrillos and eagle rods. Just use those

[On_Her_Face]

I knew that I was forgetting something :goodjob:

I am looking at either going the supra or evo route when it comes to my next car. The only miles my car will see, will be the miles to the treadmill in Mexico and also trips down to Reynolds.

I just want a dependable motor that can atleast make it to 20-25k miles, if it gets more than that-->:D. Nothing is made to last forever, but I dont want to be tearing the motor down ever oil change either

you better get a supra or you can't come bowling with us anymore :tongue1:

lol jk goodluck with whatever you find

[iloveboost]

Umm... the LS7 uses titanium rods. I doubt GM would warranty the car to 100,000 miles if they go bad after 10 pulls on a dyno. Of course they don't rev their cars to 10,000RPMs either, but I doubt a Supra would be seeing too much 10,000RPMs.

Titanium withstands heat the best, dissipates heat the best, it's lighter and is stronger than steel/aluminum. There's a reason it's so expensive. They apparently work well in low revving, big motors.

If money were no object, titanium is the way to go. Carillo and Oliver are proven performers so you can't go wrong with those either.

[TIGERJC]

Supras are making 1000whp on carrillos and eagle rods. Just use those I HEARD EAGLE RODS ARE GARBAGE for that kind of power. But I am not looking to make that kind of power but I for sure want to over build my motor. I just want to get ever ones take on the matter and reps to all u bastards. I think I would go the Carrillo H beam route and just worry about changing the bearings every 10-14k miles

[Init2winit]

I HEARD EAGLE RODS ARE GARBAGE for that kind of power. But I am not looking to make that kind of power but I for sure want to over build my motor. I just want to get ever ones take on the matter and reps to all u bastards. I think I would go the Carrillo H beam route and just worry about changing the bearings every 10-14k milesYou've got to watch eagle/scat rods. They have been known to buckle under that kind of load. A good billet rod is the way to go.

[Big Baller]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread.

Aluminum Rods are not for street motors, that 100k mile aluminum rod stuff is a myth started by people who make aluminum rods.

Carrillo Rods don't eat rod bearings anymore than stock rods do.

Titanium Rods are not worse than aluminum rods.

This is the wrong forum to ask this question on since 90% of people on here are ****ing idiots.

[Vteckidd]

Baller is right, im just going by what HONDA guys have said.

I know Omni had some TI rods and DonF tested them, after 10 dyno pulls they were done (11k rpms)

I cant speak on V8 rods since i dont know.

I have HEARD from engine builders that ALuminum rods are slightly better than TI rods in terms of longevity, but im sure RPM and stroke would need to be known per application.

[Big Baller]

Aluminum is a short term material, its very very stiff partly because of the material and partly because of the size. It also has a very finite fatigue life. Steel and Ti are much better rods for the street, titanium rods have come a long way. If you want Ti rods I would suggest you call someone like arrow or pauter, they usally run over 1000 dollars each though.