LS3 Connecting Rod research - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

oakaro68 · 08-10-2011, 11:15 AM

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?

PQ · 08-10-2011, 07:46 PM

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

MikeOD · 08-10-2011, 09:38 PM

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

2010 SS RS · 08-10-2011, 10:13 PM

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

Ratt · 10-08-2011, 05:12 AM

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

Ovenmitt · 10-08-2011, 05:43 AM

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

Jamie Mac · 10-08-2011, 07:43 AM

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

SC2150 · 10-08-2011, 09:29 AM

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.

CC Performance · 10-08-2011, 10:18 AM

They are powdered metal

Ratt · 10-08-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC2150

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.

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?

Rage · 10-08-2011, 11:31 AM

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

AG454 · 10-08-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rage

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

Wolverine,is that you?

Ratt · 10-08-2011, 12:11 PM

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.

08-10-2011, 11:15 AM	#1
oakaro68 Drives: 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 410 View My Garage	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?

08-10-2011, 07:46 PM	#2
PQ Booooosted. Drives: 2010 Supercharged SS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 36,716 View My Garage	LS3 rods are not forged. But you can have them and the crank swapped. __________________

08-10-2011, 09:38 PM	#3
MikeOD Drives: 2010 M6 2SS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 1,202	They are powdered metal...which is a process GM has been using for decades now. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS M6. Heads/Cam/Intake/Headers/Exhaust/Suspension

08-10-2011, 10:13 PM	#4
2010 SS RS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IBM Black Polished Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,108	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 __________________ 418 Stroker, 621RWHP 648 lbs TORQUE Built by Laramie GM Auto Center Tuned by Nick at Mac Autosport. EForce SC, 2 3/4pulley,LPE dual fuel pump, JRE Twin fuel rail upgrade, posi clutch kit, RX oilcatch can and breather, Callies Compstar crankshaft and rods, Racing bearings, CP -13.8 race pistons, steel rings, Comp Cams X6 blower cam, Springs, HD timing chain and tensioner, Doug Thorley Tri Y LT headers, 89.7lb injectors, RPM rollbar, DSS1400 shafts, Simpson 5 pt harness, BMR Toe rods and trailing arms, led lights, RPM input and output shafts

10-08-2011, 07:43 AM	#7
Jamie Mac NCM-WINR Drives: 2010 SS/RS IOM 2014 2LT Stingray Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,324	Shot peening does work harden the surface but it is actually a stress relief procedure. __________________ also drives a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler. It has LED headlights and wheel weights blacked out with Plasti Dip. It's Baller.

10-08-2011, 05:12 AM	#5
Ratt Account Suspended Drives: 2ss Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 199	LS3 connection rods are powdered metal and the LS9's are forged Titanium.

10-08-2011, 05:43 AM	#6
Ovenmitt Account Suspended Drives: 2011 RJT 1SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Lewis, Washington Posts: 730	LS3 rods are shot peened cracked cap powdered metal (Pink or PM) rods.

10-08-2011, 09:29 AM	#8
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	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.

10-08-2011, 10:18 AM	#9
CC Performance Account Suspended Drives: 99 Camaro SS, 79 z28, 70 GTX Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ST Helens, OR Posts: 1,759	They are powdered metal

10-08-2011, 11:31 AM	#11
Rage TRI-COUNTY CAMARO... FTW! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Cyber Grey Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,200 View My Garage	Forged Titanium? Holy Sht!... they must be costly...... Im looking for a full forged Adamantium bottom end..... __________________ CAI inc. cold air intake, LG G6x3 cam, Patriot Gold Extreme Dual springs, Titanium retainers and locks, LG SuperPro 1 7/8 Long Tube headers with full 3" exhaust, DynoMax VT mufflers, SLP 4" tips, Moroso catch can, Race Ready electronic exhaust cut outs, Full painted Razzi body kit, Headlight Armor Smoke taillight and marker blackouts, T-Rex aluminum upper and lower grille, Polished aluminum front and rear bowties. Professionally installed and Dyno Tuned by HorsePower Sales, Pompano Beach FL.*

10-08-2011, 12:11 PM	#13
Ratt Account Suspended Drives: 2ss Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 199	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.

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