Howards Ultimate vs Manley H Beam BBC rods?

bigblockwagon · Post by **bigblockwagon** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:44 pm

I am building a new 461 bbc short block and would like to use steel rods. Trying to stay away from the chinese stuff, and still stay under $1000 for a set of 8. Stroke is 4.00, max rpm will be 8000, Naturally aspirated, around 750 hp. I've been using factory LS 6 7/16 rods and 2307 Speed Pro pistons to 7800 with no failures, but would like to use a longer rod to lighten up the pistons. Howards rods claim to be US made and are pretty light (762 g) . Manley H beams Heavier (823 g) and I'm not sure of the origin, but seem to be more popular.

Thanks, Scott

prostreetL-78 · Post by **prostreetL-78** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:55 pm

Look at the Compstar line by Callies also. Seems to be great quality for a reasonable price.

PWMAX · Post by **PWMAX** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:53 pm

Just an FYI. Manley H-beams are made in china also.

Frank

bigblockwagon · Post by **bigblockwagon** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:11 pm

PWMAX wrote:Just an FYI. Manley H-beams are made in china also.

Frank

I suspected they might be . thanks for the confirmation.

Scott

trmnatr · Post by **trmnatr** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:26 pm

bigblockwagon wrote:
PWMAX wrote:Just an FYI. Manley H-beams are made in china also.

Frank
I suspected they might be . thanks for the confirmation.

Scott

Not gonna find too many that are not over seas forgings

ClassicComp · Post by **ClassicComp** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:30 pm

check on Manley Sportmasters or Crower Sportsmans

Nitrousknob · Post by **Nitrousknob** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:13 pm

I used howards billet steel rods in a 15 degree nitrous sbc 800hp with no problem. They are excellent rods. Check out R & R rods. They make steel and Alum. billet rods Made in USA

T · Post by T » Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:19 pm

The Howards rod is hard to beat. IMO Its a great rod.
T-flow

Bernard Mondello · Post by **Bernard Mondello** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:22 pm

The Howard's Ultimate billet connecting rods are 100% USA made; from the billet forgings they use to the heat treat, stress relieving & machining. We've used Howard's rods in many of our engines in the last 5 years. As an engine builder, it is imperative to me that when we recommend or use a part, we know that it is made from USA produced material and it is manufactured in the USA. Howard's meets both those criteria. We sell several sets of these a month, all over the country to happy customers.

We also sell Crower and Manley, etc. Quick note on that. Howard's is a fully machined, forged billet connecting rod, whereby the other two (Manley & Crower rods listed in above post) are American forgings, but more of an OEM style connecting rod. Sorry for the long post......

Tokyo Torquer · Post by **Tokyo Torquer** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:30 pm

deleted

540Hotrod · Post by **540Hotrod** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:36 pm

Just wanted to say Hi Bernard and welcome to the Forum! We haven't met yet but I I've heard a lot about you from my buddy Mark L. in New Hampshire.

Thanks for coming in. Your knowledge will be a great asset!

JIM

Bernard Mondello · Post by **Bernard Mondello** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:54 pm

Tokyo - Carrillo does not make Howard's rods....

Jim - thank you! I appreciate the kind words.

Note on the Howard's rods: Howards's Ultimate Duty billet rods are the best kept secret in the racing connecting rod business. These rods are $400 to $800 less expensive than a comparable USA produced rod, depending on the company who manufactures the rods.

Wolfplace · Post by **Wolfplace** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:04 pm

540Hotrod wrote:Just wanted to say Hi Bernard and welcome to the Forum! We haven't met yet but I I've heard a lot about you from my buddy Mark L. in New Hampshire.

Thanks for coming in. Your knowledge will be a great asset!

JIM

=
X2, welcome Bernard, great to see you here

Don't remember for sure if we have met in person or not but another member of your family & I go back probably 40 some odd years

bigblockwagon · Post by **bigblockwagon** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:16 pm

Bernard Mondello wrote:The Howard's Ultimate billet connecting rods are 100% USA made; from the billet forgings they use to the heat treat, stress relieving & machining. We've used Howard's rods in many of our engines in the last 5 years. As an engine builder, it is imperative to me that when we recommend or use a part, we know that it is made from USA produced material and it is manufactured in the USA. Howard's meets both those criteria. We sell several sets of these a month, all over the country to happy customers.

We also sell Crower and Manley, etc. Quick note on that. Howard's is a fully machined, forged billet connecting rod, whereby the other two (Manley & Crower rods listed in above post) are American forgings, but more of an OEM style connecting rod. Sorry for the long post......

Thanks for the feedback on Howards, I'm thinking this is the way I'm going to go.

Scott

bigblockwagon · Post by **bigblockwagon** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:21 pm

Thanks to all of you who took the time to offer up your thoughts on my connecting rod selection.

Scott