i read on integra.vtec.net that polishing stock rods gives them added strengh. is this true? so could i then polish them with a dremel tool or is it more complicated than that?

 

Polishing could remove stress risers, but I don't know how much of a difference it would make on a rod....

 

I wouldn't was time on polishing the rods unless the rules of the race your running says you have to run stockers and you want that exxtra bit of insurance.

Polishing does nothing more than decrease the chance of a crack starting. If you get serious detonation, you'll just wind up with a bent or broken rod that is polished.

Same goes for shot peening. Sheet peening leaves a compressed surface layer that resist cracks. I've seen many shot-peened rods bent like Gumby after heavy detonation.

 

This polishing is called "beaming" connecting rods. Like Rocket said before me, it is done to remove possible stress risers that can be found in the parting line of the rod. The parting line is blended into the main body of the con rod and then shotpeened afterwards. If you can remove any possible stress risers, then cracks won't propagate as easily under heavy usage.

Beaming is more of a mechanical means to strengthen con rods, like shootpeening. Cryo and vibration treatments increase strength a little differently than that.

*keep in mind that simply grinding off the parting line is not a good idea, it has to be blended into the rod instead*


[Modified by SLPR, 4:21 AM 5/15/2002]

 

Qoute: "If you get serious detonation, you'll just wind up with a bent or broken rod that is polished."
--haha, true-dat

 

True that and sad.