Video produced by Melissa showcasing the build from the beginning.  Short and to the point.  I’m glad she is having good success with the new engine I built for her.  Look for her in up and coming events near you!

 www.melissadifts.com

My last comparison that was written, showcased two of the most common pistons we use in the VG30 build scene.  While I’ve gotten a lot of questions and seen a lot of statements based off the comparison article I wrote, I still want to reiterate the importance of quality.  If you remember in my article I made mention that there is no better piston over another yet differences that set each apart.   Today I’m going to discuss the differences between the 3 H-Beam rods we have on the market that are most widely used.  Like the pistons, I will have some detailed images for you to view the different details.

So lets start with the Carillo H-Beam rod.  I have to say out of all the finishes (final product) the Carrillo is hands down the top choice.  Just the physical tangible feel of the rod trumps the finishes that both Eagle and SCAT rods possess.  But don’t let that be the only and deciding factor.  While Carrillo has the best finish they lack in affordability.  At $1600+ they are 2 to 3 times as expensive as their counterpart.  But lets take a look at why they are priced as they are.  Here is Carrillos specifications on their connecting rod manufacturing process.

Carrillo uses proprietary chrome, nickel, moly, vanadium alloy which meets all VAR (vacuum arc re-melt ASTM standards). The heat is validated, both by the supplier and an independent metallurgist whom confirm the desired physical and chemical properties of steel.

All heat treat processes are via a mar-aged operation, resulting in UTS of 195,000 with a yield of 182,000 while maintaining the critical elements of low notch-sensitivity and ductility.

All Carrillo connecting rods are manufactured from an oversized forging resulting in the proper grainflow as well as the surface removal of any potential inclusions or surface conversions generated by the forging process. All critical CNC machines at Carrillo are equipped with probing to accurately validate dimensional integrity. In the production process each part is magnafluxed at least twice, further each piece is Rockwell tested to validate the heat treat procedure. A final shotpeen operation completes the part.

Carrillo employs fasteners jointly designed by Carrillo. We employ two different materials: H-11 tool steel (220,000 UTS) as well as Multiphase TM (285,000 UTS). All our fasteners employ a patented thread design as well as the highest dimensional integrity in the industry. Each lot is sample tested destructively for both ultimate tensile strength as well as fatigue.

The CARRILLO connecting rod is a precision, high strength, quality connecting rod, which when properly installed and maintained, will perform flawlessly in today’s racing and high performance internal combustion engines. We would like to offer some suggestions and specifications that should be helpful in your installation.

Lots going on there as you can see.  Industries leading procedures and attention to detail give you a product that is without a doubt a top shelf quality product.  Carrillo offers a plethra of options that customers can choose to have incorporated into their rods if they so choose to.  Options go from annular grooves, lipped cap and cap reliefs, thrust face grooves and so forth.  They really do take a special interest in details which seem to work very well in their lineup of connecting rod products.  But lets look at the nitty gritty for the VG30

Features:

Bronze bushing for wrist pin (floating pin bore design)

Proprietary material (alloy) design

Machined Big End thrust faces

Machined Pin Bore thrust faces

Twin Oil return from pin bore

Carr 3/8 bolts

Doweled Caps

Super finishing process

Weight is approx 560g to 570g

Next up is Eagle connecting rods.  This particular connecting has been in use for several years in the Z32 community.  A few good reasons, partly due to availability, price, and more individuals in the community have utilized the Eagle brand more so than any other offering for the VG3o platform.  Priced substantially cheaper than the Carrillo it does share some of the same and similar traits as the Carrillo.  Finishing isn’t as good but keep in mind this is more of a budget oriented connecting rod but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it isn’t strong and built tough enough to handle some serious abuse.  My personal/professional view on Eagle rods is that they could improve on some key areas but for the most part you get a solid quality product for the value you are spending.  So whats good about Eagle?  Well quite simply its an H-beam rod…just like the Carrillo its the toughest design on the market so you get piece of mind in knowing you have a quality design.  The downfall I see with Eagle from experience with material handling of different components is that Eagle lacks a few details that to me should be addressed.  Pin bore thrust faces are machined but done poorly compared to the other variants.  This detail makes the rod appear cheap in quality.  The same goes for the thrust faces on the big end of the rod.  The shot peen process is very rough but a shot peen surface does prove beneficial but it must also feel/look good as well.  You have to remember ppl are very visual and hands on so if it doesn’t look good or feel good most would pass on the product.  Many not having the luxury of being able to feel the differences between the various connecting rods are left in the dark.  This is where articles like this showcase differences to educate you as the consumer/customer.

Features:

4340 Forging

ARP 2000 3/8 Rod bolts

Bronze bushing for wrist pin (floating pin bore design)

Twin Oil return from pin bore

Doweled caps

The last connecting rod I am putting up on the table is made by SCAT.  My absolute favorite budget connecting rod for a Z32. I’ve used these in countless engine assemblies all boasting over 800rwhp with absolutely NO ISSUES!  SCAT uses the same forgings as Eagle but are handled and processed a little differently.  I’m very partial to SCAT because they offer a product dead in the middle with quality, price, and availability.  For one thing since most are price driven, you can afford to shell out $475 for a set of SCAT rods.  Eagles typically go for $550-$600.  So there alone you are already more apt to choose this brand.  Looking over the machining details between Eagle and SCAT, the SCAT variant is absolutely a better machined product.  Finish is better, tolerances that I’ve seen and come across are more precise and they utilize all the same features/functions as the other two rods displayed above. So what is the main point of why I like the SCAT over Eagle, well besides the few attributes I stated above, SCAT keeps things very simple.  So that does help with costs.  I like the fact they maintain the big end profile with a radius end cap.  This gives it a much more robust figure there being it can stand up to some heavy abuse.

Features:

4340 Forging

ARP 2000 3/8 Rod bolts

Machined thrust faces on small & big end of rods are more precise

Bronze bushing for wrist pin (floating pin bore design)

Twin Oil return from pin bore

Doweled caps

Large radius big ends for added support and strength

Final finish practices better than other budget rod in comparison

Compared to Carrillo, SCAT would be my second choice (keeping the mindset that we are ONLY shopping H-Beam rods)  So here is a break down on which one to choose based on a few elements.  Keep in mind this is MY view point and others can form their own opinion but from my experience this is how I view the items and make my educated decision.

If price wasn’t an issue and you are willing to spend the money:

1. Carrillo
2. SCAT
3. Eagle

If you are looking for highest quality:

1. Carrillo
2. SCAT
3. Eagle

If you are looking for a budget rod that offers the best bang for the buck:

1. SCAT
2. Eagle
3. Carrillo

If you are looking for the best all around rod for quality, price, & availability:

1. SCAT
2. Carrillo
3. Eagle

So what does that tell you?

Though I don’t want ppl to discredit Eagle rods, I also want ppl to know that there are other choices out there that are better for far less and some extremely better if you’re willing to open the wallet up some.  I hope you’ve had some new light shed on the components used day in and day out in the Z32 scene that contribute to so many builds on the market.  It really is important that you the customer know these differences and can tell them apart from each other.  Its you who are spending the money and I really want you all be fully aware and educated on the process and quality that each component has.  Remember there is no better component…its merely a list of specifications that set them apart from each other.  Choose wisely and always think with your head and never your wallet.  You will be surprised at the things you find when you buy quality.

Below are images of all three connecting rods shown together so you can get a birds eye view on the differences side by side.

If you’ve been following the progress of Melissa Millers Drift Z32 progress you’ll be excited to see the outcome of the project.  Currently waiting to be dyno tuned, the engine now is finally fitted and installed and is running a test/base tune for break in purposes.  So far the engine is a huge success and will be even more so once final numbers are produced from the engine built.  Melissa has had a bumpy ride throughout the years in dealing with used JDM engines and been plagued with internal engine issues from rod bearing failures to inferior manufactured parts that prematurely departed shortly after installation.  But she finally came to know and understand more so than ever that knowing the right ppl and getting the right work done proves all the difference in obtaining a properly built and executed system and setup.  As the rule of thumb most of the time applies “you gotta pay to play”, and well, Melissa has definitely stepped up her game and is now boasting an impressive modifications list to back up her car.  The big thing I want to focus on is the engine itself which was machined/setup and built by myself in house at EP Racing.  Melissa got a tall order completed and I can’t be more proud that she’s stepped into the upper half of the spectrum of performance.  I wish you the best on your new setup Melissa and look forward to seeing EP Racing splattered everywhere you go!

Engine modifications are:

EP Racing Spec’d Block

EP Racing Modified Crankshaft

EP Racing Modified Oil Pump

EP Racing 8qt Racing Oil Pan

EP Racing Piston Coating Service

EP Racing Bearing Coating Service

CP Pistons 88mm

Carrillo H-Beam Rods

Clevite Bearings

ALL OE Gaskets/Seals

JWT Valve Springs

3 Angle Valve Job

Bowl Blend (Intake & Exhaust)

Ported Exhaust Ports

A project in which absolute response and power will be matched. This remarkable assembly will yield the purest of workmanship and details.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES!!!!!

Components List:

This was the first VG30ET assemblies that utilize my SOHC forged pistons designed for the Z31.  This particular outfit was updated with oiling modifications with a variety of coating options that made this engine one of the assemblies I was very excited to build.

Mod List:

EPR Spec Block

EPR Forged Z31 Pistons

Eagle Rods

Clevite Main & Rod Bearings

EPR Modified Crankshaft HSOS

EPR Ported Turbo Auto Oil Pump

EPR Piston Skirt Coating

EPR Bearing Coating

EPR Cylinder Bore Coating

ARP Main Studs

ARP Headstuds

OEM Gaskets

Schneider Valve Springs

Ferrea 1mm SS Over Sized Valves

JWT S2 Camshafts

EPR 3 Angle CNC Valve Job

EPR Camshaft Coating

EPR Combustion Chamber Coating

EPR Exhaust Port Coating

EPR Lifter Body Coating

EPR Rocker Arm Coating

EPR Rock Arm Shaft Coating

Last year sometime I was approached by Melissa Miller on Facebook with a friend request.  I didn’t know too much about her or her after school activities but in talking with her briefly I started to get a better understanding of what she was about.

If you don’t know who Melissa Miller is then do yourself a favor and check out her site (linked above)  Its not every day you see a female drifter on the scene and is engrossed in automotive performance as well.  Its quite the pairing actually.  Melissa for a little while has been chopping it up with different styling ques and a few engine swaps (replacement VG30s) in her Z32.  After many efforts in trying to get what she was after she finally came to the tail end of it all and decided that if she’s going to continue to push the envelope on performance with her Z32 she needs to buckle down and get serious about what can be done.  Enter me (EP Racing), while I don’t work on cars anymore nor much of anything else outside of engine machining/building I took on the challenge to offer Melissa a built assembly that will be designed and built to handle pretty much anything she decides to throw at it.  We discussed via Facebook messages and phone calls what her plans were and what she wanted to get done and she pulled the trigger on some pretty stout items.

Melissa ponied up for CP Pistons and Carrillo Rods with ARP Headstuds and a few OEM replacement parts.  I was aware that she was going with CP based on my article I wrote not too long ago about forged piston comparisons but when I got the box of parts from Melissa and saw some Carrillo rods in there, I was a bit surprised.  Its not every day you get to build an assembly with the TOP manufacture of engine components (pistons & rods) in the US for the Z32!

So now we fast forward to Melissa getting her core engine sent out to me.  It arrives and the build begins!  Tearing down the core engine though yielded some not so good signs.  The crank, since it threw a rod bearing is damaged but none to fear a replacement crank is under way!

Here are a few images of where things are right now.  Check back for more details as the story unfolds on this Project Drift Monkey!!!!!

Mod List for this build are:

EPR Spec Block & Heads

EPR HSOS Crank modification

EPR 8qt Racing Oil Pan

Carrillo Rods

CP Pistons

Clevite Bearings

ARP Head Studs

New OEM Gasket Kit

JWT Valve Springs

EPR Piston Coating

EPR Bearing Coating

CNC 3 Angle Valve Job

EPR Ported Oil Pump Service

After some slight set backs with piston fitment (the block needed over sized pistons due to the cylinder walls already over the max P to W clearance) we picked up some .020″ pistons and pressed forward.  This L20B I have to say I had a joy in building.  It came out better than I expected and is quite clean and industrial looking with the color scheme I gave it.  For this Datsun 510 I think this will be a great show piece for the customer.  I thoroughly enjoyed building a different outfit for a change.  I love building VG30s but every now and then a little change up is good.

Mod List:

EPR Spec Block

.020″ Over pistons

Shot Peened Stock Rods

ARP Rod Bolts

ARP Main Studs

ARP Head Studs

Clevite Bearings

EPR Bearing Coating

EPR Piston Skirt Coating

Modified Combustion Chambers

CNC 3 Angle Valve Job

New Gaskets & Seals

Honed Cam Tunnels

“Knock Knock”

“Who’s there?”

ROD KNOCK!!!!!!

Working in the shop on an old school L20B.  This engine while very basic and straight forward is a real treat to work on.  I love looking at the technology of its day to see how things worked and what was considered the “in” system of its time.

I’ve been busy working on many projects but this weekend I did some construction work on the L20B cylinder head combustion chambers.  From the factory these things are very small.  Lots of quench and lots of room for improvement.  So I took what I learned years ago in the V8 world and applied it to this cylinder head. (The similarities between this cylinder head and a domestic 2 valve Chevy head are strikingly similar)

So here are a little before and after pics.

Specs :

3 Angle Performance Valve Job

Milled Deck

Fully Worked Combustion Chambers

Up next is the short block and the rest of the assembly to put together.  This will be one mean L20B once completed.  I’m quite confident the customer will have great success with his new setup.