The controversial question that I thought I'd pose my fellow X owners about. I've read many forums (different auto enthusiast forums) and know its one of the top argued items in an engine build. I have noticed that the 4G63 guys will tell you that the I-beam is the way to go, but I have some experience with Honda motor builds (turbo and n/a) and know plenty of guys with B-Series motors, high whp that run H-Beams and rev the sheit out of them with no issues (500+whp turbo or N/A on the Bottle). Would love to hear what an engineer (or a very very experienced engine builder) would say both + and - on both rods and why 1 would be the true shine. Considering most of us (even those with built motors) don't really see above 550+whp is an I beam an overkill, or worth that piece of mind? I also understand the true deciding/major factor that plays into a rods fatigue is its actual metallurgy allot of times, or unseen blemishes in the metal.

So whats your thoughts? Really worth (from most reputable) the 2x price for us guys who aren't making 600+whp?

 

Well I have done a bit of research on this topic myself. I am in the engineering field (nuclear though ). The H-beams may be slightly cheaper, but my bottom end (no matter how much I actually plan to make) is not something I would pick to skimp on. Another type the was not mentioned is the X-beam. MAPerformance has an X-beam for the evo that is good for 300whp per cylinder. Overkill? Maybe, but about the same price as Manley TT rods. The rod bolts also have alot to do with overall rod strenth. Here is a cool image I found that has some interesting data on strength.

 

I have read the argument in the thread where you obtained that picture. It was quite informational. Someone (actually a couple of engineers) actually challenged some of the above calculations as to be not correct. But either way, it was informational non the less.

 

also it misses the whole point to having an H beam....
i am using Manley H beam. The reason why is because it is lighter, actually all four together is became a much lighter since they are 121 gram lighter each compere to the I beam counter parts. If you go the higher hp I beams then even more then 121 gram a difference...
So the all four is almost an extra rod weight on the crankshaft.
The max hp holding differences doesn't matter for me, since i will never max out not even close the H specs anyway. Its like carrying a 120 gallon tank around when you never go further then 30 gallon with reserve.

here is the evo 4g63T specs , they do not have a 4b11T up yet.

http://www.manleyperformance.com/sc/...g63_rods.shtml

just remember, everything has its own purpose, rule of thumb too much never good. Nothing better then a balanced engine.

as i said over 480 gram is a difference a set of I beams on the cranck, if you using the I beam counter parts vs the H beam . Which is almost 1 H crank weight/554 gram/
what is the purpose of the H beam , if they are sooo bad and only the stupid people pick them? Maybe there is more then sheer hp holding numbers behind the story...
People usually fixated on peak hp numbers on this -fact most US car forum. There is a time when you have to start looking out of the box. There is lot more in the story then peak numbers, specially if you are not a drag racer. If you are a drag guy you shouldn't even look at the H beam. There was never a question which is stronger I beams or H beams. They both made in a same company for different purposes.

Rob

of course this is my opinion and some builders i know. So you build your engine a way you like it, This is just a different angle of approach to the subject.

 

If Manley H's where USA made then I would have gone that route..

Fact is *most* of the H's out there (Carrillo is the exception as well as a few other boutique names) are Chinese made..

I dont want to start an international war, but in my very humble opinion I will stick with USA made...

Carrillo were just too expensive for me to justify them in my build...

I also don't plan to rev to the moon, so again the weight of the rod isn't as important for me as others...

 

Manley get they forged material from China, and they make the products in the US. Also they inspecting it here then they release the final product.
It is not a good idea to get confused between the Chines heavy industry and the 99 cents chines store.

Even then if the parts fails / which didn't happen in our application so as others within the designed hp level/ still would be an American mistake since they are the one who finishes and inspect and send out they product.

Rob

 

As said, do realize that Manley H-Beams are finished in the US. They measure bend and twist and will QC-Fail rods that are not within their specs. Also realize that it is quite a statement to say that Manley's quality was able to pick up the OE Contract to be the connecting rod supplier for the 2003/4 Mustang Cobra. FoMoCo isn't going to throw some pieces of drift wood into something that they are putting up their own money with a warranty.

Manley, Brian Crower and the others will be the first ones to tell you when they think you are going to outpower their H-Beams. BC Makes I-Beams, Manley has a full-USA offering, Pauter has a very nice X-Beam, Carrillo has a Super-A Beam, and then there is the top of the line H-Beam from Carrillo.

Weight of the rotating assembly does have an effect on bearing wear, but the people making enough to outpower their H-Beams in reality should expect to have to service their engines for rings and bearings. If you want a rod to handle more than the less expensive H-Beams but still keep weight down, you can do Carrillo H-Beams, which not only are incredibly strong but generally weigh less than their other H-Beam counterparts. And if you want something exotic, we can do Pauter Titanium Rods for about $6k a set, and Manley's 300M I-Beams (for the 4G63) believe it or not - we keep them in stock.

 

So let me ask you, do you think a Manley H-Beam Rod will meet my whp goal without compromise? I'm shooting for 500whp on an FP-Black on an X MR (e-85 w/conservative tune). I really have no wishes to hit some crazy goal of 600+whp in the future. This car will not see the track, or be launched, and when I do enjoy the power band its mostly from a 40-60 rolling dig. The reason I lean towards the H-Beam is obviously cost is good, and also rotating mass which will help on bearing life.

 

we will do service the bearings on the car after every 5 rally. Just in case, even though we do not have a "heavy " set up.

for the guy above , if you are planning already 500 whp, then you will be better off with a I beam. Since as a history shows you will need more later and also you like drag racing.