6.8 rod choice I vs H
 

Ordering up the pistons and rods here shortly for my 400 stroker build. 4.25 scat forged crank, should be 500-550hp. By all accounts the pn# 2-ICR6800-7/16 I beams should be completely fine at my level and $200 cheaper, is there any reason to upgrade to the pn# 2-454-6800-2200 H beams? Also I don't think my power level warrants the arp2000 upgrade and plan on using the 8740 hardware choices to save $$$. But I'm looking for opinions from the great mind pool here, please and thank you.

The rod choices

Butler has the H- Beams for $543

https://butlerperformance.com/c-1459...d-journal.html

You don’t need the added strength of a H beam, but besides that the H beam design keeps a lot more oil kicked up around the crank.

So this is where my OCD kicks in and freaks out about the thought of running a scat crank with eagle rods lol. I know there would be no issues what so ever, but for some reason it just bugs me.

I went with ARP2000 and H beams.Tom

I get it re: OCD.

I assumed dollar amount was the main concern based on opening thread, once checked out by the machine shop, it’s all the same and likely from the same Chicom foundry.

Well it is budget driven but the budget is blown anyways so... Lol. More so just wondering at my power level if there is a reason to upgrade. I have heard the same about H beams causing more windage as well, which makes sense due to their design. I'm fine spending money where it's warranted, like upgrading to arp2000 hardware on the I beams is only $70 more.

I had the same decision also. I went with H beams and arp, same as tom s.

Have a set of stock Pontiac length Crower I beams in one 455HO bottom end.

Few months ago began watching for a set of 6.7 or 6.8" BBC I beam rods for next build.
Would like to get some feedback on total gram weight of various aftermarket BBC rods in 6.7 or 6.8 length. Am sure many have gone this route, anyone like to share?

My latest build is a pontiac length and pin.Tom

Seems like I'm going with the scat I beams.

In reality, either rod will work in your application. “I” beam rods are actually stronger than “H” beam rods but are also substantially heavier as well. Be advised that nearly ALL offshore forged rods( Eagle are offshore forged rods) need a bit of touching up on the big end and on the pin end. Molnar and SCAT seem to be the exception. Consider this: both Oliver and Carrillo rods are considered to be the ultimate in strength in domestic forged rods; both are “I” beam construction.

My Carrillo rods are H beams?Tom

I don't know about either being substantially heavier than the other. I think the H beams are advertised as 810 grams and the I beams as 820 grams.

Just get Molnar H beams and be done with it. They are the best rod for the money period.

I went with the Molnar H-beams due to their quality and the weight savings over Eagle and Scat

So looking at the molnar H beams they come in around 749 grams which is significantly lighter. That sounds like enough to sway me and make everything happier at rpm.

I vote H-beams. Better to have them in case you want to add power later on down the road. Over kill is the way imo...

Tom, Carrillo produces both. The Carrillo rods I’m most familiar with ( SBC sprint car rods) are “I” beams. Fantastic rods IF you have the budget for them. I’m going with Pontiac length/BBC rod journal Molnars. Did you ever get your 301 based RAV built?