Honda rod journal verus narrow bearings?

[mystic1582]

I'm considering using a narrow bearing,; one I'll machine down myself that will live in a 2.100" small block Chevy motor approx 450hp max 6000-6500 rpm max. By machine down I mean make narrower by anywhere from .1" to .2" I can't use a 1.888 bearing (Honda) due to rules. Is there any merit to having less contact area versus less rotational feet per minute of surface area?
Thx

[Hanzeng]

Narrower than an HN bearing? (CB-663HN) I personally don't see the need, can't imagine any power difference would be even measurable, should be much easier and reliable ways for you to tweak a few more out of a 450 hp engine. Those HN bearings made me nervous when they first came out, but now have certainly proven themselves. I have actually wondered the opposite- does anyone building 700+ motors attempt to hunt down NOS standard width H bearings?

[Walter R. Malik]

I'm considering using a narrow bearing,; one I'll machine down myself that will live in a 2.100" small block Chevy motor approx 450hp max 6000-6500 rpm max. By machine down I mean make narrower by anywhere from .1" to .2" I can't use a 1.888 bearing (Honda) due to rules. Is there any merit to having less contact area versus less rotational feet per minute of surface area?
Thx

A 229cid Chevrolet V6 has a 2.100" rod throw and a bearing only .713" wide vs. a late small block Chevy at .842" wide.

I don't know your rules however, early small block Chevy's came with a 2.000" rod journal and there are several different width bearings available for that size.

A smaller size journal also has much less oil "throw-off" because of the area AROUND the journal..

[Lockwire]

I would think you will achieve more looking at airflow management, and improvements to your piston and ring combo.