Connecting Rods
| FORGED CONNECTING RODS “The Next Generation of Racing Rods” Howards and the king of powder forged technology, GKN, have teamed up to design and manufacture the most technically advanced and reliable performance  rods on the planet! Forged powder metal technology features an extremely dense grain structure when compared to a billet or conventional forging. It uses task oriented steel materials that tailors compositions to racing connecting rods. Using superior metallurgy that creates cleanliness and isotropic mechanical properties, it allows the alloy materials to be better distributed throughout the steel. Unlike billets, this material can be cut in any direction and the grain structure will look the same under a micron microscope. Powder forging provides an unsurpassed strength vs. weight advantage. |
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| The Manufacturing Process |
 First superior high-tech base powder is blended with selected alloying elements in a lab style environment. Melting, atomizing, and annealing are controlled to exacting standards to then create super fine powders without impurities! |
Next, the base powder, lubricants, additives and graphite elements are compacted under tremendous pressure. Sintering or heating to over 1500° alters and refines the structure of the metal. Hot forging with a 750-ton press finalizes the structure of the metal. |
We use superior ASTM 4260 blend. We used CAD solids modeling for proof of concept and machined models from billet. We use Finite Element Analysis, a computer program that accurately simulates stress, which allows redesigns for better strenght and weight reduction in the correct places. This greatly reduces the design cycle time and accurately predicts strength and fatigue resistance before the rod is manufactured and sold to you. |
4340 FORGED SPORT RODS Super Quality · American Made! All Howards Sport Rods use 4340 aircraft quality steel forgings, Ampco bronze bushings, ARP 2000 capscrews and rodcap alignment sleeves. All are stoker clearanced. Special shot peening and multiphase heat treating processes are used. Our experience on the race track, combined with our racing customers, has allowed us to keep the lead in manufacturing the best rods in America. Our promise to you is commitment to continuing that tradition. |
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GM Duramax 6.6L Extreme Duty X-Beam Forged Billet Rod
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 All new computer designed premium 4340 steel forgings. Properly placed counterweights that not only improve balance but reduce bearing loads. The forgings are rough machined in a process that includes double stress relief operations that make these crankshafts dimensionally stable. Hardened with a deep nitride for superior wear resistance, ideal for abusive track environments. All rod journals are drilled and counterweights are profiled for piston clearance. Large .125” radii on all journals (chamfered bearings required). Consistent grind and polish, along with precise stroke and index. The new standard in performance crankshafts. |
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Ultimate Duty™ Forged Billet Rods A true American forged billet rod at prices as low as imported billets! These rods start with certified high nickel 4340 aircraft quality steel and are fully CNC machined on the newest generation of equipment to insure the removal of all surface imperfections. They are specially heat-treated using a multi-phase process to produce the ultimate in strength and reliability. Fully stress relieved and shot peened to insure no stress risers remain.Profiled for long stroke applications and weight savings. Rod caps are double ribbed for added strength. Rod cap alignment sleeves to keep bearing caps precisely aligned. Bronze bushed for floating pins. 7/16” ARP 2000 capscrew (220,000 psi) fasteners secure the caps. Special 265,000 psi fasteners are available as an option. |
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| Ultimate Duty™ Forged Billet Rods for Import Applications |
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Lightweight 4340 Forged Billet Rods New lighter design (approx. 50 grams less). Great for faster revving oval track and drag race applications requiring up to a 800 horsepower rating. These rods start with the same certified 4340 aircraft quality high nickel steel as Howards Ultimate Duty™ Forged Billet Rods. They are fully CNC machined with new profiles to lighten all non-critical areas. They are specially heat-treated using a multi-phase process to insure the ultimate in strength and reliability. Fully stress relieved and shot peened to insure no stress risers remain. Profiled for long stroke applications. Double ribbed rod caps for added strength. Bronze bushed for floating pins. 7/16” ARP 2000 (220,000 psi) capscrew fasteners. |
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Extreme Duty X-Beam Forged Billet Rods for Import Turbo Applications
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 The all new X-beam design for the ultimate in weight, strength and durability. These rods start with certified 4340 aircraft quality steel and are fully CNC machined on the newest generation of equipment to insure the removal of all surface imperfections. Fully stress relieved and shot peened to insure no stress risers remain. The beam is profiled for weight savings. They are specially heat-treated using a multi-phase process to insure the ultimate in strength and reliability. Rod caps are double ribbed for added strength. Rod cap alignment dowels to keep bearing caps precisely aligned. Bronze bushed for floating pins. ARP capscrew fasteners secure the caps. The Ultimate Rod! |
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GM DURAMAX 6.6L EXTREME DUTY X-BEAM FORGED BILLET RODS
All new X-beam design for the ultimate in strength and durability. These rods start with certified 4340 aircraft quality steel and are fully CNC machined on the newest generation of equipment to insure the removal of all surface imperfections. A precision “EDM” laser burns a hole from the top of the rod bearing journal to wrist pin bushing for an extra supply of oil to the piston pin. Fully stress relieved and shot peened to insure no stress risers remain. The beam is profiled for weight savings. The cap has been lightened for easier balancing. They are specially heat-treated using a multi-phase process to insure the ultimate in strength and reliability. Rod caps are double ribbed for added strength. Rod cap alignment dowels to keep bearing caps precisely aligned. Bronze bushed for floating pins. 7/16” ARP 2000 capscrew (220,000 psi) fasteners secure the caps. The Ultimate Duramax Rod!BX6420 GM Duramax 6.6L 99805 Drilled Rod Bearing Set (required for wrist pin oiling) Note: Standard rod bearings may be used but will not feed the wrist pin with oil unless drilled. |
