H-Beam or Factory Dimple Rods
 

In the process of a major overhaul on my 525SC. Looking for the HP to be in the 600 range.

Question is...Should I opt for an "H-Beam" rod, or will the factory GM "Dimple" rod with 300 hours, work wth an ARP bolt upgrade?

Dimple rods with 7/16 bolts work just fine at or around 800 H.P. Had quite a few engines making around that range with them and never had a rod issue at all....

If you have the extra cabbage...get the better rods. Why take a chance with all of the rest of the time and money your putting into this motor ? Eagle makes a nice rod for what your putting together. Summit Racing has them for $459. :drink:

For what it will cost you to recondition your old rods you could spend a few bucks more and have h-beams. After i wieghted my options I went with h beams

Just get ARP L19 bolts with what ever you do New or Reconditioned. :coolcowboy:

Thanks for the input...That was pretty much what I was thinking...ARP's & reconditioning is 2 bills & some change...A couple more Benjamins & I've got some Eagles or SCATS.
I actually saw "Flatlanders" has Eagles & SCATS for right at $400...
Thanks again...

Chances are if you get new rods you get to have them balanced anyway at a cost of $xxx . The stock rods are plenty to handle 600hp.

for what you are doing I would add the arp bolts and go...you will have to rebalance if you change the rods..the GM rods are very good..bolts are another story..

You can spend around 200 on the stock rods and although they are certainly enough to handle the power, they still are a pressed fit. If you spend the extra money on H beams, you not only get cap screw instead of studs, you also get a rod that is bushed for a floating pin. You have to also look at the future. 600 hp may be fine this year, but what about next year, and the year after that. Don't spend the 200 on the stock rods, and then in a year or 2 you want 700 hp and have to buy rods anyway. You then wasted the 200 on the stockers. Just a thought.
On a side note, if you go aftermarket H beams, go with the Scats. Eagle's quality control has went in the crapper. I have used the Scat's to make almost 1000 hp with no problems. Also, spend the extra $50 or so and go with the ARP 2000 bolts instead of the 8620 bolts.
Eddie