Anyone know if Gen2 and 3 Rods interchange?

womsterr · January 13th, 2007, 08:59 PM

Just want to make certain as I have the chance to get some rods inexpesively. Is there any difference between a Gen 2 and Gen 3 rod length or the size of pin or crank end?

Final GTS · January 13th, 2007, 10:29 PM

They do not interchange. Length & offset are different. Ends should be the same- though 04-06 PM rods have different bearing tang locations and bearing widths which are differnt than 92-03. Not that you want to anyway... Gen-2 rods, while forged, have flaws of their own- they are not centered on the piston pin bosses, which can lead to premature wear from piston rocking if pushing serious power through them. Bite the bullet and get a set of aftermarket rods and forget about needing spares. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

womsterr · January 13th, 2007, 11:05 PM

Thank you. These were actually manley rods but out of an 02.....but it appears not a good way to save any $$.

Final GTS · January 14th, 2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by womsterr

Thank you. These were actually manley rods but out of an 02.....but it appears not a good way to save any $$.

Ahh, OK, now I see what you were trying to do. It didnt make sense to me when I first read it... putting OEM gen-2 rods in the gen-3 would cost more in labor and gaskets than the aftermarket rods cost themselves. It wouldnt make sense to put OEM parts back in after all that work.

I wouldnt advise getting "off the shelf" gen-2 rods anyway. It is very likely than Manley just copied an OEM rod, and if they did, its VERY likely it also contains the rod offset flaw of the Gen-2 rods. If you are going to get rods, get them from someone who has custom rods made for them AND actually builds their engines, they more than likely would have seen this problem and addressed it when they designed their rods... I know I did. It probably stemmed from different piston spacing of the V-10 block VS a V-8, and the rods were probably a carryover or something.

NOTE: I am refering to ROD offset, not Piston Pin offset. The Pin IS centered in the piston, and the bosses are centered on the piston. However, the rod does not fall into the center of the piston due to its (lack of) offset. If the cylinders were slightly closer together, the rods would be correct. It looks like the cylinder spacing increased, while the rods were never changed.

womsterr · January 14th, 2007, 01:55 AM

What a good forged rod and piston setup? I don't want to go top dollar like I did on the motor I have in the classifieds. Motor is out waiting to be reassembled...

Final GTS · January 14th, 2007, 02:36 AM

Well, as you had already guessed, I was going to suggest CP Pistons and Carrillo Rods, both top shelf. However, a good compromise would be Oliver rods and JE pistons which are upper mid grade, or you can drop a tier to Diamond Pistons and Eagle Rods.

All of those companies will make you custom parts, but I am unsure if you want to go that route. DLM has stocked basic configurations made by some of the above companies, but I do not know their specs. Generally the point of going to one of the above companies is to get something custom that is top quality, or to change something specific you dont like/adding options to your parts. However, you are then going to rapidly add $$$ to your project, perhaps beyond budget. Its very tough to give you advise unless I know EXACTLY what you are trying to accomplish, and most importantly, how much $$ you are looking to spend at an absolute maximum... that cuts out a lot of options.