So here is the scoop with Eagle Rods:

I contacted Eagle today and spoke with Allen. First off I would like to say that the service and wealth of knowledge that I recieved was amazing. First off, while speaking with Allen, in no way did he detract from the performance or quality of any other rod on the market. In fact, he stated that most of them were of great quality and performance which is not what you would expect to hear from a manufacturer.
My interntion was to get some info by actually calling Eagle instead of just speculation. While talking to Allen, I asked a few specific quesitons:

What horsepower would you stand behind the ESP H-beam rods being able to hold?- Allen stated that they could handle well over 1000 hp with proper tuning.

Why are Eagle rods so cheap compared to other brands?- Allen stated that they are cheap because they are mass produced as compared to custom machined by other companies such as Pauter.

What quality inspection does Eagle do to ensure a high quality rod?- Allen stated that all material is inspected before forging. After being forged, the forged part goes through three quality processes: X-ray, Sonic Testing, and Magnaflux.

After talking with Allen, I have decided that I will be going with the Eagle rods for my upcoming buildup. If you still do not feel that they will hold more than 600 whp as claimed by many, Allen said feel free to call up Eagle and talk with him. If anyone is interested in getting more info, call Eagle at (662) 796-7373 and ask to speak with Allen. He will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.

I would also like to state that I am in no way affliated with Eagle and purely called them up in order to get some information since forums can be opinionated.

 

Or you can feel free to email him at alan@eaglerod.com

 

NCR performance ST (your sig)? What is that one?

 

Thanks for sharing the info, I'm gonna be using the eagle rods for my mild buildup and such info is a plus If they're really that robust, I suppose your next item to check would be the pistons. I'm personally gonna be going with Wiseco 8.8's, after that when I get around to a radical buildup in a couple years i'll go Arias Xtreme

 

I'm pretty sure that they will make 1000hp on an 8cyl motor opposed to ours(could be wrong). But I would assume anything over 700+hp you should go with a billet rod vs forged rod.

 

Thanks Quamen. I was getting sick and tired of defending the rods against the ignoramuses on this mb.

 

We are Eagle dealers, and next time I speak with Alan, I will inquire about this. Most manufacturers will stand behind a horsepower per rod number, rather than a total number.

Eagle makes quality product. They are less expensive becuase they are forged in China, and finished in the USA...nothing wrong with that process. The main difference between Eagle and Pauter:

1) Eagle rods are about 85grams lighter
2) Pauter rods are forged from billet 4340 chromoly, rather than a standard forging process.

I've said this before to other customers: In most cases, you will break something else, BEFORE you break either Pauter or Eagle rods. Choosing forged parts is very much based on comfort and experience with certain parts, rather than manufacturers claims.

 

That is very true sharif. I am buy no means comparing Eagle to Pauter in a positive or negative way. But I would feel safe saying that those aiming for 600whp should not stray from these rods nor should someone stray from them due their price.

Again, anyone who would like to ask questions can contact Alan and I am sure that Sharif will post his findings.

 

Quamen, thanks for going this route... I think this debate will just continue on in circles until someone like yourself proves their reliability.

 

Well, I am in somewhat of a perdicament as Sharif knows so I am doing my research to say the least. I have also been in contact with AAM, GRD, ATI, and RC Engineering to name a few.

As for the number of rods per engine. Alan mentioned there were some VQ30's with over 1000 hp no problem. For anyone who is not familiar with these engines, they are in the 300zx and about .4" longer than our engine. Given that each engine is different still comes into play on hp capabilities.

I believe that Alan is contacting SGP in regards to this also and maybe SGP will post something regarding their thoughts.

 

Actually the 300zx is a VG30DETT motor and I have used the eagle rods in a motor putting out 850 Rwhp with out any problems what so ever.

I would not hesitate to use them in any VQ35 build up to 850 Rwhp

 

eagle is really big in the domestic market and give a quality product for the price. i ran them in my vette, and plan to run them again with my next V8 set up too.

 

Thats why I ordered my Eagles from Shariff, I also spoke with allen prior to the purchase and felt very comfortable after doing so. If these rods hold up the way I drive my car, which i am confident they will. It will open a lot of peoples eyes. we will see what happens

 

Here is some info from an email with Alan at Eagle:

ALAN:"We actually rate our V8 rods at 750 hp. But they also use a weaker bolt than any of the import application rods do. With the upgraded bolts, however, we rate the V8 rods at 1500 hp (and that is a little conservative). Also, high rpm can be a problem with long strokes and/or heavy pistons (With some V8 builds this will be a problem, but neither of which are a problem on VQ35 engines)....[pertaining to the VG30 series engines]They are all based on the VG30 structure and all use the same rod - whether it's a VG30E, VG30DE, VG30ET, or VG30DETT. The older ones used a small pin size, but that's it."

 

I recently heard the Dunlop drift car with sr and eagle rods with 600hp bent every single rod. they were eagle.. heard this over the weekend friend builds the motors not to sure on more details

 

1000hp can be calculated as a realistic figure in my book, seeing that I have a friend over in Sweeden that is pushing 586hp on a 4-cyl engine. Estimating this per rod, a 6-cyl could theoretically take 879hp on a 6-cyl.

 

could be bad tuning, don't go blaming a company just because of one incident.

 

Something else went wrong for you to blow 6 rods.

 

I dont think anyone is blaming a company, rather, I think people are trying to determine the real-world whp limits of Eagle rods. A manufacturer cannot know this, unless they torture test every engine. Even then, they provide general whp gudielines. It is something that time will judge, as people begin pushing more and more power through these rods.

 

Good point Sharif. i would feel safe saying 600 reliably, but only time will tell.