Scat has always been my go to for rods...they made a good strong product that was newly machined, vs reworking stock rods.

Now that they have changed ownership, and products may have changed process and machining locations, I'm looking at other made in USA options that are still reasonable.

Theres no rod made in usa under 1600 a set that I know of, the cheapest olivers are probably the lowest priced American made connecting rod you can buy fwiw, Smitty

Smitty, thank you chiming in. I remember the old Oliver rod ads featuring Smokey Yunick. A Smokey endorsement makes a mark for sure.

I'm only looking for 700hp blown from the 4" stroke 454. Nothing too aggressive in rpm, but maybe peaking at 5600 depending on props etc.

Deburring and cleaning up my 7/16 GM rods would go a long way. But the conversation on rods really needs to have the component of the piston as well.

Using thinner rings...lighter pistons, newer piston tech etc.

So my dilemma is with my stock length 6.135" rods, I'll get heavier pistons.

H-beam vs I-beam rods for severe duty marine?

I'm not totally against Scat rods...but I cannot just blindly trust them like I used to.

heard good things about these but have never used them. not sure where they are made but does at least say finish work is in the US.
https://molnarrods.com/bbc-connecting-rods

I would not hesitate to use a set of either Eagle or Manley H beams with upgraded bolts for that application. I do believe the Mercruiser H beam rods are Manley. Crower should have something too but not sure of the prices since you are on a budget.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a Eagle rod for what your doing with arp 2000 bolts, its Chinese of course. The Chinese molnar rods seem to be good too, I have a set in a 930ish hp 565 out there runs up to 7000/7200 and hasnt done anything unusual yet. Gm uses the Chinese Callies compstars in their new 1000 hp 632, Im putting a set in a customers 632 NA deal Im building. Whatever you buy, run a dial bore gauge around in them and make sure their in spec and round, I checked the Callies I just bought and recent eagles and saw no need to resize them at all. Anything actually made in USA immediately doubles/triples in price from all these 600 to 800$ rods, fwiw, Smitty

I also recently built a roots blown 454 last year and used 6.385 eagle rods/shelf stock JE pistons, got rid of some of that bulky piston without shoving the rings into the pin.

Smitty, thanks again for the good info. Obviously I can go read the Summit catalogs etc, but it's great to see what is really working in the performance marine environment.
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As you speak to the round rod dimensions, it's important for me to not lose focus on the main and rod bearing issues that have been coming out of Fed Mogs and Clevites. Up to 0.0015" taper on the bearing surface from side to side.

Have you actually seen the .0015 side to side on something you measured? I use alot of H series engine pro bearings, I haven't seen .0015 on any yet, Ive seen .0004 to .0005 on a few . I go in middle with my bearing mic then quick check towards each edge and use the average. Ill see typically .0002/.0003 variance acrossed middle in a set, I just use the average. As you probably know, as long as your not setting your bearing clearances on the edge of the typical range, it wont make a difference. I try not to get mains/rods too loose on a marine engine as hot oil pressure will make customer nervous when its low but a old hot rodder told me this once about big blocks: If your rods and mains are a little loose at race track, only guy that will know is YOU. IF there too tight, EVERYONE will know!

Everyone will know... Iol.
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From the old school machine shop owner, long time friend of the family. It happened on a regular basis, and while I was there. Fed Mog at that time.

The issue is, he never sends them back...too much effort with shipping and time wasted. Easier to re-order.
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I can only imagine dealing with customers for things like getting nervous about oil pressure fluctuation.