conrods for performance engine

[branko.gt]

There is a thread in the American Alfa BB about a bulk (group) purchase of conrods for 2l engine. Apparently as good as Carrillo but about half the price. The purchase happened earlier this year.
I was wondering if anyone here has an opinion on those and is that such a great deal anyway? Are there enough people interested for a group purchase from here.
If i understand correctly the same rods are used for 1750 and 2000 engines.
Anyone?
Evan, any plans to rebuild the engine on your 1750?
this is the thread : http://alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=14754

[Evan Bottcher]

Hi Branko - no at this stage plans are limited to retreiving engine from a shed in preston and the body from a shearing shed on the NSW border.  Beyond that I have no idea - although the motor was very strong last time it ran so no reason to rebuild it immediately.

Good idea though - group purchase could save quite a few $$ - maybe talk to some of the club people who run mechanical businesses (e.g. Bruno Collauti, Hugh Harrison, etc) to see if they are interested.

[jimnielsen]

Branko, Vin Sharp has a lead on the purchase of high performance (read lightweight and strong...) rods.  He has already purchased some sets for race engines (including a set for my "next" engine.  I believe they are (as you said) Carrillo look-alikes, but a lot cheaper.

You should ask him about them.

*** Note to Vin***  Don't sell Branko my rods.

Jim ~

[Paul Newby]

OK, don't shout me down in flames here, but what is wrong with balanced and shot-peened standard rods?

I have a set in my race engine which were done by Vin Sharp.

My engine is 1846cc using 11.0 forged pistons and running to 7500rpm. All up they have done five seasons of racing. When Vin pulled the engine done (after three seasons) they checked out fine.

Sure, if money was no object I would fit them, but really the money is best spent on other engine mods....

[branko.gt]

In the end that is what I am going with.
I had few sets to choose from and based on Vin's advice selected medium weights samples. Better still they came from a 2 l automatic. 

Interesting fact I learned in the process was that Alfa apparently did not change the forging tools through the life of the 1.8 l and 2 l nord engines so conrods became progressively thicker and heavier.