LS3 Connecting Rod research
 

Hey everyone,

I found this interesting study that compares forged, powdered metal, and cast connecting rod materials. It's a lengthy write-up and full of equations on how they came up with their findings and a summary at the end to wrap things up.

It seems like I keep finding conflicting data on the LS3 Connecting Rods because on GMPP's site they claim they are 'powdered metal' but on the camarohomepage.com they say otherwise.

So I'm confused - Are the LS3 rods forged, or are they just hardened by shot peening?

Is there a difference in the terms 'powdered metal' and 'powdered steel'?

Connecting Rod Material Study:
http://www.forging.org/FIERF/pdf/FatigueBehavior.pdf

Camarohomepage.com write-up - Connecting Rod section: claims the LS3 connecting rods are PF1159M powdered steel, sintered, hot-forged, and shotpeened:
http://www.camarohomepage.com/ls3/

GMPP site engine showcase tech specs:
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...1992&engCat=ls

Can anyone chime in with factual information and if possible, provide technical referrences?:help:

LS3 rods are not forged. But you can have them and the crank swapped.

They are powdered metal...which is a process GM has been using for decades now.

Bingo. stock is powder forged. And most that build their motors goes with Steel forged H rods instead of I beam. stock rods can and do have failure even at stock power levels but are within tolerences that warranty expense is less than upgraded rods in all units. In addition the use of rated bolts is also a major component that should be considered

LS3 connection rods are powdered metal and the LS9's are forged Titanium.

LS3 rods are shot peened cracked cap powdered metal (Pink or PM) rods.

Shot peening does work harden the surface but it is actually a stress relief procedure.

Last two posts above me are right on. The stock powdered metal rods are actually quite strong. The weak point being the rod bolts/studs. In the failures I see (We build motors non-stop here) most are a failed rod stud that has streched and allowed the bearing to hammer thin & spin. Then the rod itself breaks quite often and the results are catastrophic. All are forged builds we use forged H-beams for the reduced widage.

They are powdered metal

The bolt or stud being the weak point makes sense, I keep reading where the powdered metal rods are weak and it’s not true.

Do you sell the Titanium forged connecting rods? Do you sell the Titanium intake valves and Sodium filled exhaust valves?

Forged Titanium? Holy Sh*t!... they must be costly...... Im looking for a full forged Adamantium bottom end.....:thumbsup:

Wolverine,is that you?

Remember when kids use to watch cartoons on Saturday morning? Now they post on car forums, too bad they don’t pay their own insurance.