Benefits of running type I vs 914 2.0 rod journal Options

[LarryR]

I was looking at various crankshafts for the 2.0. I noticed that some have type I and some have type IV rod journals. Is there any benifit from running the type IV journal?

I have noted that type I rod journal cranks seem to be substantially cheaper. The rods seem to be substantially cheaper as well.

My intent for the engine is to build a 2.0 race engine for my 72. I figure If there is no structural benifit from running the type IV rod journals I might as well save a few bucks.

thanks in advance for your responses.

[Jake Raby]

The only "Race quality" rod bearings in existence for the 2.0 journal are one of our developments.. They are stronger than a stock bi-metal bearing and are more resistant to wear, BUT the journal diameter is still almost .100 smaller than the TI.

I prefer the TI journal due to bearing strength as well as crank strength, especially with stroker engines. A 2.165" TI rod journal makes for a much more rigid crank more resistant to flex because of the added journal overlap of the larger diameter journal.

The other key is the selection of rods available for the TI journal. There are only a few choices for rods that use the 2 liter journal and 3 of these are Carrillo, Pauter and our RAT/LN billet rods, all costing between 850-1500 bucks as custom parts. There is one 400.00 offering that is made overseas, but it has marginal quality off the shelf and they don't even come with the rod caps or bearings installed.

The TI journal has several low cost, exceptionally strong connecting rod options that are all longer, lighter and stronger than the stock 2.0 rod.

Remember: Trying to save a dollar is the quickest way to spend three... This selection will impact the entire engine design and will greatly impact assembly in pretty much every way.

Read, study and ask questions for WEEKS before buying these parts, its pretty easy to make a critical mistake that will impact the engine and waste your money, creating a compromise.

Engine projects that begin with compromise will end in compromise.

[LarryR]

The only "Race quality" rod bearings in existence for the 2.0 journal are one of our developments.. They are stronger than a stock bi-metal bearing and are more resistant to wear, BUT the journal diameter is still almost .100 smaller than the TI.

I prefer the TI journal due to bearing strength as well as crank strength, especially with stroker engines. A 2.165" TI rod journal makes for a much more rigid crank more resistant to flex because of the added journal overlap of the larger diameter journal.

The other key is the selection of rods available for the TI journal. There are only a few choices for rods that use the 2 liter journal and 3 of these are Carrillo, Pauter and our RAT/LN billet rods, all costing between 850-1500 bucks as custom parts. There is one 400.00 offering that is made overseas, but it has marginal quality off the shelf and they don't even come with the rod caps or bearings installed.

The TI journal has several low cost, exceptionally strong connecting rod options that are all longer, lighter and stronger than the stock 2.0 rod.

Remember: Trying to save a dollar is the quickest way to spend three... This selection will impact the entire engine design and will greatly impact assembly in pretty much every way.

Read, study and ask questions for WEEKS before buying these parts, its pretty easy to make a critical mistake that will impact the engine and waste your money, creating a compromise.

Engine projects that begin with compromise will end in compromise.

Hey thanks for chiming in Jake. It was actually your light weight 2.0 crank with TI rod journals I was looking at. I was also thinking to matching it up with a set of your H beam rods.

along with a set of 94 mm barrels with some JE pistions. There is a local Head guy/ miracle worker that I am going to have do the heads though...

Your LE heads have me in a bit of a delima though I have to admit. The local guy takes forever to get the parts back to you and costs a small fortune but is the mega flow guru along with welding and reshaping combustion chambers...

I was going to ask you how your h beam rods stack up against carillos.

[Todd Enlund]

along with a set of 94 mm barrels with some JE pistions.

Personally... if you're buying new jugs and slugs, go with 96mm.