High Performance Connecting Rods

Aftermarket performance connecting rods from JEGS are made from stronger, more durable materials than factory-designed rods. That means your racing connecting rods will allow for optimum compatibility with higher horsepower applications without the risk of damage. Fractured or bent connecting rods result from weak materials and design - something we won't ever let happen.

Lightweight performance connecting rods create lower rotational mass, which provides easier turning over the engine. Your connecting rods provide you with a faster engine revving for miles, giving you the crucial winning edge you need on the racetrack.

A gas or diesel engine performance connecting rod links the piston to the crankshaft. The rod itself is rigid. However, on each end are pivot points with bearings where it attaches to the crank and a pin where it attaches to the piston. This allows the piston to continue up and down movement while the rod moves with the rotation of the crankshaft. The connecting rod needs to be strong enough to handle the downward force of the piston during combustion as well as the force against the crankshaft at the rod journal. A weak design results in a bent connecting rod, so matching the connecting rod to engine horsepower is significant.

Most performance connecting rods (H-beam, I-beam, fork and blade style and others) are made from steel. Others include cast iron, titanium, billet and aluminum connecting rods. Billet connecting rods are made from flat forged steel built into a single piece of metal for increased strength, as weak conrods will become bent or fractured from use in high horsepower applications. Titanium connecting rod sets and aluminum connecting rods are lightweight, which results in quicker revving from less rotational mass. Carbon fiber connecting rods are slowly gaining momentum as manufacturing and testing improve with the exotic material.

Engine connecting rod length is determined by measuring the distance between the center points of the piston pin bore and the crankshaft journal bore.

Once you have installed your assembled connecting rods and pistons through the engine block bores, the next step is installing the connecting rods to the crankshaft stroke sections. The connecting rod should have the matching cap and correct cap orientation for assembly. Correct size rod bearings must be installed into the cap and rod. Next, tighten the rod bolts with Plastigauge installed. Remove the rod from the crank and check the Plastigauge to confirm correct clearance and tolerances. Once correct, reinstall the connecting rods onto the crankshaft and tighten according to the manufacturer's connecting rod torque specs.

Damage to connecting rod's bearings is caused by two main causes of friction. One is an incorrect installation of parts, which includes incorrect balancing, bearing size, connecting rod parts, crankshaft or connecting rod bolts. If all of the parts are confirmed correct, the next thing to check is the correct installation of parts, which includes using Plastigauge (using its printed diagram) to check connecting rod bearing clearance to the crankshaft and the correct tightening of the connecting rod bolts. The other main cause of friction is inadequate lubrication. Bearings need oil to prevent friction between surfaces, which will lead to premature wear. Improper oil type, contaminated oil, or lack of oil in the oil pan, oil pump failure and low oil pressure can lead to bearing surface wear.

If you need more information regarding racing connecting rods from JEGS, feel free to contact a JEGS expert at any time for more information. A member of our expert team will be happy to help you find the best connecting rods for your desired application. Shop high-performance connecting rods for sale from JEGS today.