Aftermarket connecting rods?

[SteelGreyM]

Thanks for all the responses guys. While my car will be NA now I plan on boosting in a few years.

My builder recommended boostline (wiseco). Doesn’t seem like there’s a wrong choice here. I’ll do a little more general research on rods and go from there.

[digger]

Molnar is probably best BFYB for a NA engine

[Mspir3d]

Im also running molnar rods. No problems so far and they take a beating in my car. I think they were 496 +/- 1 gram with the bolts.

[Nicholas1996]

What’s your opinion on them. Would you choose them again looking back?

Yeah they’re good rods I think. My machinists recommended them. Measure perfect and are finished nicely

[BBRTuning]

I'm running the Carrillo rods and JE pistons on my S54, along with VAC coated bearings; they've done about 40k miles now, most of which was track or canyon use. It's at about 357whp now with 288 cams etc.

I tried to find solid info on the difference in weights but I'm not 100% sure. Probably easy to verify with an email to Carrillo. Lang Racing states the OE rods are 640 grams (with bolts). The standard Carrillo is stated at either 493g or 499g but unclear if that includes bolts or not. There is also now a "light" rod offered by them that comes in at 434g.

[SteelGreyM]

I used molnar

What’s your opinion on them. Would you choose them again looking back?

[Nicholas1996]

I used molnar

[SteelGreyM]

Well, as some of you may remember I toasted my engine recently. And I opted to do a rebuild instead of buying a new engine. At first I was on a budget simply because of shock. But now a few months later the rebuild is going along nicely and I’m starting to realize that this is my chance to do major work.

I was originally going to go with reusing my OEM rods. Then I started thinking about my build and thought that they were the weakest link in the system. While I do not plan on boosting the car or adding any major power upgrades in the next year or two, I want to try that later on in the future.

I went with CP pistons and it seems like the most popular/best choice is the forged CP rods as well. Anybody have any recommendations or experience in this area?

Here’s a link. https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mob...t-6-p3815.aspx

And if anyone cares or remembers the primal post I made here’s an update on the build process. The block cleaned up nicely to 87.25mm. Achilles Motorsport provided custom extra high valve clearance CP-Carillo pistons at stock CR for LESS than what everyone else charged for off the shelf pistons... those just got sent out for skirt and top coating.

I’ve purchased a new (used) head. Valve seals replaced. Cometic MLS head gasket. ARP head studs. BMW WPC rod bearings. Calico Coated OEM main bearings. OEM main bolts. I’m sure I’m forgetting some little stuff. I’ll have to make a final update when everything is finally put together. Including a price sheet!