I have a stage II star kit and I'm looking at rebuilding my bottom end. My question is should I use a standard length rod or should I use a long rod. Im looking at purchasing the long rod howell rebuild kit. I know a longer rod will give you more low end torque, but is it true that i will loose horsepower in higher rpms. Also is their a higher chance of detonation? Just asking questions about stuff I read from other threads. Any info or opinions will be great especially from those who have used the long rods.

Thanks,

Jeff

if you haven't done so already, do a search for "long rod kit". there are more than a few posts on this specific topic. there is 10 with "long rod" and 5 with "long rod kit" in the Perf. section and 2 in turbo section...

for what its worth, i dynoed roughly 290/290 whp on 16psi with heat soak using the long rod kit from howell... and God said "it is good!"

Originally posted by jltalon
I have a stage II star kit and I'm looking at rebuilding my bottom end. My question is should I use a standard length rod or should I use a long rod. Im looking at purchasing the long rod howell rebuild kit. I know a longer rod will give you more low end torque, but is it true that i will loose horsepower in higher rpms. Also is their a higher chance of detonation? Just asking questions about stuff I read from other threads. Any info or opinions will be great especially from those who have used the long rods. Thanks, Jeff

The long rod engines give the piston more dewell time at top dead center. This allows the combustion to take place more fully before ti begins to push the piston down the bore. This increases the torque, turbo engines respond better to a long rod motor than an NA motor does.

Thanks for the responses!!!

Originally posted by jltalon
Thanks for the responses!!!

No problem. It is hard to make informed discisions if you don't have all the information.