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Thread: Lighter Weight Rods for 1.8l

  1. #1

    Default Lighter Weight Rods for 1.8l

    Most of the aftermarket rods available for the 1.8l engine have weights in the range of 470 to 490 grams, with the exception of Carillo's Super A which is around 420 grams. Have any of you guys come across any other rods that are lighter than the 470/490 ones? This is for a nat. asperated engine, but I figured you FI guys would be more familiar with the defferent rods available.
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  2. #2

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    Just drill out the ones you have. What could possibly go wrong?

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by jrj512 View Post
    Just drill out the ones you have. What could possibly go wrong?
    Hey! That's a great idea! You try it first and let me know how it turns out. While you're at it, I hear drilling big holes in your pistons can save weight, too!
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  4. #4

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    The Carillo H-beams are ~450g; the A-beams are ~420g like you've said. What is wrong with the A-beam rods? They've held up fine with my 20psi on various turbos for nearly 40k miles...I'd like to think they could handle whatever NA power you can throw at them.

    The M-tuned/949 ones are ~530g (but that's claimed with caps, bolts, and I believe bearings). Couldn't tell you if the Carillos are weighed with the same stuff or not, sorry.

    You lost me on the "1.8l engine rods" though...they are the same for the 1.6l motors. At least I was never given an option when I bought mine, and I never mentioned what year motor I have.

  5. #5

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    You are right, the rods are the same for the 1.6 and 1.8 engines. I'm just trying to find some that are cheap AND lightweight. That's probably not going to happen, but I'm still investigating. Strength is not really an issue, as you say, for the N/A engine vs. a turbod engine. If I can't find something light and cheap, I'll probably have to go with the Carillo A.
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  6. #6

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    Well, find out what the Carillos are weighed with. I would assume the same as the M-Tuned (or any other brand), but you never know.

    You're looking at less than half the price ($319 for the M-Tuned vs ~$850 for Carillos), so it really depends on how much that weight savings is worth to you. Kind of sucks you are staying NA, as a heavier H-beam rod probably won't benefit you in any other way than saving some money.

  7. #7

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    Would be better to use that money to balance and remove weight out of crank.... Could remove alot more.

    FWIW in my old built SR20 motor (nissan) I ran a crank that was ~4500 grams (~10lbs) lighter than what was stock/ everybody else used. Try to remove that much out of your rods

  8. #8

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    Crank work is on my list of to-do's also. Who does good crank work in the area?
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob® View Post
    Well, find out what the Carillos are weighed with. I would assume the same as the M-Tuned (or any other brand), but you never know.

    You're looking at less than half the price ($319 for the M-Tuned vs ~$850 for Carillos), so it really depends on how much that weight savings is worth to you. Kind of sucks you are staying NA, as a heavier H-beam rod probably won't benefit you in any other way than saving some money.
    That's a good question to ask. If the companys weigh their rods differently, then it's not an apple-to apple comparison. I'll have to research that some more. Thanks
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark52 View Post
    Crank work is on my list of to-do's also. Who does good crank work in the area?
    I always used somebody who specialized in sr20 motors that wasn't local.

    I have alot of friends that have had motors done by Wayne Calvert over the years and nothing but good comes out of there. His shop is in Denton. I was planning to have him do my next motor.

    For decking and boring there are several places in Arlington, but the names escape me right now. O'reiley when they had their machine shop in arlington used to be the go to place for getting deck and bore work, but they shut down for no good reason.

  11. #11

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    I have always used Arlington Automotive Machine Shop for decking, boring and valve work.
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  12. #12
    Orange cones fear me. cone-cerned's Avatar
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    Wayne Calvert's shop has been doing great work at least since I was in High School back in the early 60's.
    On the track, I am fearless.
    If you were as slow as me, you wouldn't be afraid either.

    1994 M Edition
    CSP 67

  13. #13
    Mr Miata Solutions Rogue's Avatar
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    John Day is very familiar with Miata Engines.

    http://www.daycustomengine.com/

  14. #14

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    There is a Honda A-beam rod that can be machined to fit that is supposed to be super light.
    Wealth, power, and experience are apparently not enough to save us from social influences. Groupthink, as described by I.L.Janis, is the tendency for group members to reach a consensus opinion, even if that decision is downright stupid (Janis 1982).

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by ray_sir_6 View Post
    There is a Honda A-beam rod that can be machined to fit that is supposed to be super light.

    If i'm not mistaken that is what Gary has in his Motor. I also believe John Day is the one that did the grinding and install as well.
    Blah blah blah!

  16. #16

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    Yes, I talked to John about it, but he doesn't know which rod it is, so I left him off my post. Ask Gary what rod it is.
    Wealth, power, and experience are apparently not enough to save us from social influences. Groupthink, as described by I.L.Janis, is the tendency for group members to reach a consensus opinion, even if that decision is downright stupid (Janis 1982).

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by ray_sir_6 View Post
    Yes, I talked to John about it, but he doesn't know which rod it is, so I left him off my post. Ask Gary what rod it is.
    This sounds promising! Which Gary are you refering to? I assume Gary Shuhart?
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

  18. #18

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    Gary from Track Dog Racing
    Blah blah blah!

  19. #19

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    Yes, Gary from TDR. thanks.
    Wealth, power, and experience are apparently not enough to save us from social influences. Groupthink, as described by I.L.Janis, is the tendency for group members to reach a consensus opinion, even if that decision is downright stupid (Janis 1982).

  20. #20

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    Internet vendors are tricky SOBs, aren't they! M-Tuned rods listed as weighing 470 gm on their website. But the truth coms out on 949Racing website where the same rods are listed at 530 gm including cap, bolts, & bushing. Makes you wonder if you can trust anything on the web.
    What's left of a '96 Miata with stock clutch.
    My car exceeds my driving ability. That's the only possible explanation.

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