Building a 454 10:1. Dimple rods seem to be a good benchmark.But I see a lot of affordable aftermarket rods out there that claim to be as good or better. Also I favor pressed pins...is that good or bad?? Any input on these would be helpful. Thanks. Titebuget

Just use the stock 3/8 rods with ARP bolts and you're fine. I know guys running 9.80's with'em.

What is the most RPM you expect? That would help you choose your rods.

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John Wright

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by John Wright:
What is the most RPM you expect? That would help you choose your rods.

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Maximum of 6800 ill favor 62-6500. Ive got a nice 4 bolt block and an old standard steel crank and forged pistons. Figured I would complete the setup with appropriate rods.Might squirt it down the road too. So max HP would end up at around 650-750.

I have a 408 [402] 8:1 that lives at 65-7000 with 3/8 stock rods. But its 8:13:1...pushes my 3800 pounder to 12.60s.

Stock rods with bolts will take a pile of shyte and abuse, an ex employee had them in a blown 468 that occasionally got away from him (8000 RPM), engine still works to this day. I am certainly not endorsing a 4" stroke with stock rods at 8000, but they will work for your requirements. Pressed pins are perfectly acceptable for most engines.
An inexpensive alternative is the Scat 2-ICR6135P, these are a 4340 I beam rod, stock weight, 7/16th capscrews. These are a nice looking budget rod that will take some abuse. If you are looking at buying the stock rods then doing all the work to them, the Scats may be a slightly more expensive option.

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A Canadian, EH? (with a 10 second street car)

3/8" truck "thumb" rods resized with good bolts in them are fine, imho!!

And the price is generally right too!!

pdq67

stock rods here...even in my 468 13.5 to 1 monster......lol........never saw the need for "better" rods...stock with polished sides and arp bolts keep going and going and going and going.

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1980 z28 3900lbs daily driver,414ci bbc,13.505 @107.19 mph w/2.15 60ft. 2.73 gears in street trim.

1981 camaro "the race car" as the kids say. 454 .060 over 13 to 1 comp.roller cam,nitrous, 4500 stall and 4.56 gears...severe traction issues,10.80's to low 11's @ 126mph....under recontruction on chassis

1986 ford pick-up "the tow rig" runs a slow 18.00 flat at 75 mph in 1st and second gear only.

This is a great site thanx for all the info. All in all I guess Dimple rods would be a sufficient choice or that SCAT model which appears very affordable.I favor doing the little xtras to help durability and performance also. Ill simply have an old lS6 short block....I think they're proven.