08-10-2011, 11:15 AM | #1 |
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 |
Booooosted.
|
LS3 rods are not forged. But you can have them and the crank swapped.
|
08-10-2011, 09:38 PM | #3 |
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 |
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, 05:12 AM | #5 |
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 |
Account Suspended
|
LS3 rods are shot peened cracked cap powdered metal (Pink or PM) rods.
|
10-08-2011, 07:43 AM | #7 |
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, 09:29 AM | #8 |
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 |
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, 11:21 AM | #10 | |
Account Suspended
Drives: 2ss Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 199
|
Quote:
Do you sell the Titanium forged connecting rods? Do you sell the Titanium intake valves and Sodium filled exhaust valves? |
|
10-08-2011, 11:31 AM | #11 |
TRI-COUNTY CAMARO... FTW!
Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6 Cyber Grey Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,200
|
Forged Titanium? Holy Sh*t!... 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, 12:03 PM | #12 |
I am not "Fast & Furious"
Drives: 2010 Camaro LSX454 1LE Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Greeley Colorado
Posts: 1,040
|
Wolverine,is that you?
__________________
The day I take a bend too fast
Judgement that could be my last I'll be wiped right off the slate Don't wait up 'cause I'll be late, I'll be late |
10-08-2011, 12:11 PM | #13 |
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.
|
|
|
Tags |
bottom end, connecting rods, ls3, rotating assembly |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
LS3 stock Intake maniflod, stock Cats, and stock exhaust manifolds,camshaft & air box | Turbo99 | V8 - Engine, Exhaust, Bolt-Ons, Tuning Equipment | 12 | 09-04-2011 08:17 PM |
Katech independently tests FAST LSXR LS3 manifold vs two ported LS3 manifolds | Katech | Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons | 9 | 05-20-2011 10:58 AM |
Hot Rod Magazine '79 Camaro Z28 w/ E-Rod Crate LS3 | 5GSS | 5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions | 5 | 05-11-2011 12:01 PM |
LS3 engine specifications | Tran | Wiki | 3 | 10-06-2010 10:56 PM |
5th Gen Camaro LS3 info from Chevy Hi-Po...READ | TAG UR IT | Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons | 295 | 03-07-2008 10:06 AM |