The rods are not completed just yet and I have been hesitant to post anything until they are actually in hand because of past promises but the latest is they will be here in a few days. As for your question John, for the strength of the rods just like the pistons, are worth every penny and will be priced cheaper than you can open a Summit catalog and buy the cheapest brand SBC H-beam rods. How's that for the "I can build a Chevy engine cheaper" mentality? They will be H-beam polished 4340 chrome moly rods with 7/16 ARP rod bolts good for 700 hp. You decide. I don't want to start another month long, 500 post debate on the need for forged parts like what happened with the pistons. Might be overkill for your engine but then again, over rev or take your foot of the gas too quickly at higher RPM and what will happen to a stock cast rod. Nick Alfano Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 14:15:20 -0400 From: biljoh@xxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Scat forged rods for my 343?? And my 343 build specs To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <ADVANCES62idcDjoYAP00000139@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> I am considering the new "H-Beam" rods for my 343 rebuild. They are made from 4340 Chromoly and are polished and balanced with ARP studs etc etc and sure look nice! Anyone have an opinion if these would be worth using over a set of stock rods with ARP studs? I was thinking that the stock rods were strong enough for what I am doing BUT if these new rods are a lot lighter than the AMC rods wouldnt that be better/quicker revving? Build specs so far: 68 343 block. Stock replacement pistions +.030 stock compression(10.25-01) ARP main bolts ARP head bolts 68-69 R4B intake blocked heat risers Edelbrock Aluminum Heads 1/2" head bolt holes in block Rifle drilled oil passages Crank scraper 7 quart oil pan Titanium Retainers "Mild" Hydraulic roller cam (and appropriate matching valvetrain components) Full length headers 750 AFB (modified) 2200-2500 stall converter "Blue printed" oil pump Powermaster 8 lb high torque starter Ram air carbon fiber hood from Frank's Custom Fiberglass(optional) 3.54 or 3.73 rear gears with one piece axles. Shotpeened, polished, and ARP stock rods OR Scat 4340 balanced polished H beam ARP'd rods??? John