Crower Rods vs. Eagle Rods

[GrngoColombiano]

The title is self explanatory. I know that the Crower's are more expensive. I'm gettin mixed descriptions from websites about the horsepower rating and overall strength of each of the rods. I don't know where I got my numbers but my impression was that the Eagle Rods were good for around 500 horsepower range while the Crowers were more around the 700 horsepower range.

For example Exile racing says on their website "Crower billet rods are the only choice when running nitrous oxide, high boost or high rpm in your "all motor" application. They're insurance for your block."

But then when I talk to Howell about replacing the Eagle Rods in their kit for Crower's, they respond by telling me "We don't like to put inferior rods in our kits, but we could do it. If this was a crate motor there is no way would switch to Crowler because our reputation is on the line as the builder and we only use the best."

I'm looking for the best in terms of horsepower rating but also a rod that will be reliable in an everday application. Anybody who has any feedback on their rods or any disasters from their choice, please post

 

[98evoIIIpwr]

WEll all I know is that the guy who was gonna build my motor told me to go with a Ross/Eagle combo on the pistons/rods. He said that he has built many motors with that combo and never had problems. He built a guys car around my town that put down around 550 to the wheels and hes been driving it for two years now with not problems. When I say built many motors I mean 4G63's too. This guy knows his stuff. I heard that Eagles are good for about 650 hp though. I mean if they were only good for 500 then it would be pointless to replace your stock rods considering they can handle that much. Im sure its more then that. As a matter of fact I have a brand new set of Eagle rods and Ross pistons in my room I have been trying to sell. Maybe I'll look in the box and see if it gives a hp rating on the rods.

 

[GVR4592]

Your rod choice depends on your goals. Stock 1g big rods can handle 500hp. I've seen Eagle's go to 600whp. Crowers are supposed to be stronger than Eagle's.

 

[GrngoColombiano]

My car is a 96 Non-turbo 420a. My goals are to build an extremely strong motor . I'm throwin on a stage 2 kit, and upgrading the turbo as I feel necessary. The question is which one is stronger and will take more abuse over a long period of time.

 

[GrngoColombiano]

Your rod choice depends on your goals. Stock 1g big rods can handle 500hp. I've seen Eagle's go to 600whp. Crowers are supposed to be stronger than Eagle's.

That's what I thought and I became really confused when Howell told me that. Do to their reputationin these forums and the fact that he called them "CROWLER rods", I had second thoughts about what they said was true or not.

My search is for the stronger rod that will take the most power but will also take the most wear and tear from everyday commuting.

Are your pistons and rods for the 420a or the 4G63?

 

[98evoIIIpwr]

4g63

 

[JDNSBR]

Crower is an I beam rod where the Eagle rod is a H beam rod. The I beam rod is a stronger make and can handle more load. The H beam is a good rod just not as strong as the I beam. The eagle H beam is rated for around 600 WHP for a DSM. The Crower I beam rod is rated at 700 WHP for a DSM. (4G63)

 

[GrngoColombiano]

Crower is an I beam rod where the Eagle rod is a H beam rod. The I beam rod is a stronger make and can handle more load. The H beam is a good rod just not as strong as the I beam. The eagle H beam is rated for around 600 WHP for a DSM. The Crower I beam rod is rated at 700 WHP for a DSM. (4G63)

This also applies to the 420a motor right? I'm just wondering why Howell would be willing to sell me an engine rebuild kit with crower rods for an additional price but they would not build me a crate motor with them. Still looking for a post from somebody who has been running the crower rods.

 

[JosephAAA]

Does this help????


I sketched up three cross-sections. I-Beam, H-Beam, and Pauter-style X-Beam. All profiles were sketched inside a 1"X2" rectangle. Web thickness was tailored to each design to yield an equal cross-sectional area (read: weight) between the three. The outcome was three 6" long beams that weighed exactly 1.571lbs each. The playing field is level.

(Note: I tossed in the X-Beam just for laughs ##)

Results:
Torsion:#Twisting the beam.
In the torsion test, the I-Beam and X-Beam rods were almost identical. Both were about 20% stronger than the H-Beam. I expected the I-Beam and H-Beam to be close, but I didn't expect the X-Beam to compete. Perhaps I should take this rod seriously................... ON TO TEST #2!

Bending:#Simulating buckling with crankshaft rotation.
This is where the I-Beam really shines. It was 1.5 times stronger than the H-Beam and 2 times stronger than the X-Beam (ha! there we go!). This type of load is important because the rod is free to buckle in this direction (nothing stopping it except itself). This is the direction I-Beams are always loaded in the construction industry. They're one of the most efficient profiles for this type of loading.#

Bending:#Simulating sideways buckling.
H-Beam wins hands down here. It was 2.6 times stronger than the I-Beam and 3.7 times stronger than the X-Beam (hahaha!). However, I'm not sure how much force is really exerted in this direction because both the rod bearing and piston try to keep it from buckling this way. Has anyone ever had rods bend this way apart from a catastrophic event?

Tension:#Pulling apart.
I didn't simulate this situation because, unless your profile is generating some crazy stress concentrations as it transfers force into the big or small end, the strength of the beam will always be a function of cross-sectional area and material strength. Cross-sectional area was constant in this test, so all three would have performed the same.
#
One profile that I didn't test was the other style of X-Beam which is basically an I-Beam with a slight H-Beam relief in each side. Howards offers this rod for the Duramax. There is a heck of a lot of material to work with in those diesel rods, so I guess they might as well just go ahead and mill out random areas. I don't think there's quite enough material to do this with a normal I-Beam though. I'd expect it to fall somewhere between the I and H-Beams in buckling since it's kind of an average of both.

So there you have it. I'll get some pictures of the tests up soon.

 

[NHerron]

I mean if they were only good for 500 then it would be pointless to replace your stock rods considering they can handle that much. Im sure its more then that.

Hey that's good logic! If anybody goes to Eagle Specialty Products, Inc. and search by application, they will find these rods handle 900, yes 900hp. Also, I've never found proof of these rods cracking/bending. The rods can be oriented either way since the oil holes on either side. If the bushings are ever worn, you can get a new set from Jerry @ crower for $50 shipped too. Eagle rods CLAIMS to be within .5 grams out the box, but check anyway.

My machinst found my bushings to be worn so he got custom ones from crower shhh realized he got the wrong size, ordered a new size, STILL didn't get it right, -too big OD. So he said screw it, heated the piss out of the small end, CRAMMED a .006 interference fit in and ended up cracking the small end near the oil hole. They didn't want to fess up so I had to prove it couldn't possibly be my fault and here's what I found:

Eagle uses .002 press fit, NO HEAT, and rated at 900HP. This car was only hitting 250hp max, but they figured that anyway, V-8 country. Coincidentally, I actually had pictures of the rods showing no heat marks before I brought them in-

They paid for the new rod.

 

[jpmxrider489]

Crower is an I beam rod where the Eagle rod is a H beam rod. The I beam rod is a stronger make and can handle more load. The H beam is a good rod just not as strong as the I beam. The eagle H beam is rated for around 600 WHP for a DSM. The Crower I beam rod is rated at 700 WHP for a DSM. (4G63)

this is wrong i beams are lighter and have less surface area.
h beams have more surface area but are a little heaver
its kinda personal choise do you want a lighter rod on your rotating asembaly or do you want a little heaver and be a little safer.

 

[Fotowntalon]

Actually your both wrong and right. It all depends on the manufacturer, and how they designed the rods. Certain companies I-Beams are lighter and not as strong, and H-Beams are heavier and stronger, other companies are Vice Versa, it all comes down to the final design and engineering (and material used)behind the rod. However Normally (normally as a disclaimer) The heavier the rod, the stronger(assuming same material). Its always best to call in and check with the company for there recommendations on hp rating (which will also very depending on how high you are revving and how how you are making your power) Certain set-ups will be more hard than others.

 

[laser90]

Striaght from the website

5.900 CRS5900MC3D 585g standard 1.771 0.866 900 400.00
5.900 CRS5900MA3D 575g H-Beam 1.771 0.827 1000 400.00

 

[NHerron]

^^400 is price and 900/1000 is hp rating

 

[Alex7747]

You guys do know this thread is 6 years old right?

 

[NHerron]

Haha yes Alex, but I figured since it was brought back anyway, I should contribute some info since it was missing important scccchhhuuuftt

 

[Turbotsiawd]

Wow

 

[NHerron]

FYI I didn't bring this thread back haha! Ill help out if I can because I certainly don't like hunting across xx threads to find the right info.

CRS-5900-MA3D is same as CRS-5900-MBA which is the identifying marks found on the H beam rod itself. Rated @ 1000HP. Eagle Specialty Products, Inc.