Gettin ready to take the 402 to the machine shop. Told the guy that it will have a tunnel ram and possibly a 100 shot of NOS. He said that the stock rods would probably be ok with new rod bolts. He said he would balance them out to help. Hes ordered the pistons that can take some NOS, i believe they are domed forged. Should i get different rods? dont plan on really rapping it over 6500 if even that high. probably closer to 6. Any thoughts?

Why dink with your stock rods when you can get the Eagle SIR's for really cheap. There much lighter, and alot stronger than stock rods and id say youde be wise to if your going to be hitting it with nitrous.

Have any idea what they cost? Im on a tight budget but its better to have the right stuff with a motor with nitrous i spose. And where can i look to get them? Jegs or Summit?

are you talking stock 400 rods?..the 5.7 or 6" eagle rods are the deal..you can get H beams for 305.00 and I beams for 159.00..the H beams are much better. If he ordered pistons for the stock 5.56 400 rod..your pretty much stuck with them

Anthony,
Your stock rods will probably be ok with ARP bolts, but I agree with the others. A set of Eagle SIR rods will be about $300 and they have 7/16" ARP bolts. You might have to do a little grinding on the 396/402 block for the rods to clear at the bottom of the bores, but they will be pretty bullet proof for your application.

I take it back that he had ordered pistons. So if i need to adjust rods for the pistons i still can. I take it i can find these eagle rods in summitt or jeggs? or is it something my machince shop will have to order. I guess the question is if it was youre motor would you buy the rods even if youre on a tight budget? How much stronger will the eagle rods be compared to the stock rods. Or is the main benifit is that they are lighter? I appreciate the help a bunch

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33623&item=2441947600 check these out, get floating pistons since you dont have them yet i bought a set of eagles sir rods for my last motor,i did not have to grind the block and there good for 700 horse power!...mike

Not trying to dawg the Eagle rods because apparently several here are using them but, I've talked to some pro engine builders who DO NOT lik ethe SIR stuff at all. And thats putting it mildly.
I am using stock/reconditioned TRUCK rods in my BBC. They have more beef in the webbing at the bottom of the rod. Kinda like a 7/16 rod without the excess weight. I am also only using 3/8" rod ARP bolts.
Just passing on some info.

Thanks for the input, if anyone else has any recomendations id appreciate it. I still havent decided what to get or go with yet. More opinons would be appreciated.

If you go with Eagle rods, do some shopping around. Summit and jegs are very high on these parts. You might try Dirt Track Thunder (http://www.dirttrackthunder.com). They have pretty good prices plus free shipping and no sale tax.

first i would let your machine shop look at the condition of your rods and decide from there you can resize them with good rod bolts and they will do the job my freind is running 10.80's on the 1/4 mile with 150 shot of nitrous for three years now with his 468...mike

use the GM rods and rebuild them with good bolts (arp wavelocks). i made around 2000 1/4 mile passes over the years and broke 2 crankshaft's but 0 connecting rods, all chevy rods mostly 3/8 and some 7/16 :cool:

thanks again guys, i think ill stick with my stock rods, just but some arp bolts in them and have them balanced. You have been a big help.