I-beams, H-beams, and hybrid connecting rods are consistently being refined by manufacturers that have debuted exciting products in time for the 2026 racing season. Experts in this field test numerous alloys and design concepts to determine the most effective approach for a given application.

With technological advances at the forefront of component creation, some manufacturers are reinventing how parts are designed and produced. For others, refining a proven product is all that's necessary to keep a race engine running in top form.

Drag Racing

Covering the shortest distances at the highest speeds, drag racing engines endure some of the harshest internal conditions. This makes connecting rods critical to keeping these engines intact as they power down the drag strip.

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Molnar Technologies provides racers with connecting rods built to withstand heavy doses of power. Molnar's PWR ADR and PWR ADR Plus series have been available for nearly a decade, and Tom Molnar summed up why the company continues to refine these rod series.

"With the higher boost and nitrous levels, stronger connecting rods are needed. We are adding to our list of PWR ADR and PWR ADR Plus rods." He pointed out that the latter rods have more cross section in the beam to support higher combustion pressures.

Molnar Technologies utilizes 4340 billet steel for its H-beam-style connecting rods. Beyond its championed alloy, increased tensile strength is a result of its heat-treating and shot-peening process, which Molnar said, "increases fatigue life.

"Our PWR ADR Plus rods have even more cross section in the beam, plus they have a larger footprint at the parting line, pads around the bolt heads, and even stronger rod caps. This all helps stabilize the big end bore and keep it round at high rpm when heavier pistons and wrist pins are used."

Its rods come standard with resistant bronze bushings for long wrist pin life and utilize ARP2000 material bolts, which Molnar said are custom-made for its shop by ARP. "We are constantly adding new connecting rods to our line." And if an option isn't currently available, he said, "if someone has a need for rods we don't currently make, call us. We can help."

Announced prior to the 2025 PRI Show, CP-Carrillo in Irvine, California, and Brian Crower, Inc. (BC) in El Cajon, California, have partnered to serve a broader market for CP-Carrillo's customer base. The roles of the partnership are simple: CP-Carrillo designs and BC manufactures the product. The new connecting rod line will be available through CP-Carrillo's distribution network.

"We found a way to come up with a product that's more affordable, while still having the same features, strength, and reliability," said Pete "Snake" Calvert of CP-Carrillo.

The partnership includes forged 4340 steel rods, which are "for the domestic market," said Richard Batchelor of CP-Carrillo. "We're not going to be stepping into his sport compact world, so we're working with him, and it's going to be a middle-cost rod."

Batchelor explained that the dimensional tolerances of the housing bores, length, and thickness of each end remain consistent, stating it is "dependent upon the product, but it ranges anywhere from 1,500- to 2,000 horsepower for a drag racing application."

The machined and forged 4340 alloy steel rods are offered with ARP2000 or ARP Custom Age 625+ bolts, which Calvert described as offering "exceptional performance at a competitive price."

"What we've done is taken a lot of our popular combinations from Carrillo and duplicated that with the 4340 alloy," he said. "Not everybody can afford a Carrillo rod--and there's a lot of competition out there with other brands people can afford--so we're going to go play in that sandbox."

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