I was reading about the Dodge SRT-10, and it said that the connecting rods are made of fractured-steel, which gives it more strength. I also noticed on the Chevy Duramax Diesel, the rods are mentioned as being fracture-split for increased durability. Just hoping someone can shed some light on what this means, and how this makes them (the rods) stronger, and more durable.

 

It means that the entire rod is cast as one piece. Then the big end is broken so the bearing halves can be inserted and the rod installed on the crankshaft. I think some rods are also sintered. Meaning they are made out of powdered metal and then pressed into shape with enormous pressure and baked at high heat to melt the metal powder together.

 

they use the term fractured steel to make their proiduct sound very impressive. but infact it is a very common practice. they just make mention of it in a fancy way.

 

Yes. But with traditional methods of machining connecting rods, any end cap will mate with any other connecting rod. With the fracturing method, only the end cap that was broken from the rod will mate with that rod. They do not machine or polish the fracture after the rod is broken. So the unique pattern of broken metal in one rod will only fit to it's mate.

Kind of like breaking 2 plates and gluing them back together. The parts from each plate will only fit the same plate they came from.

 

It also means the rod ends are not interchangable because each rod end and the rod match as they are from the same piece of metal.

 

Wow, thanks for all the info. It makes sense now. I think forged/billet is just fine for me.

 

The Ford 4.6 has been using those since its inception. It is kind of weird, but it does save on a machining step.

 

There's nothing wrong with them, they're just nothing special either. Don't be afraid of the sintered (powdered metal) process either. Your the rotor in your oil pump is made that way. I've been to the factory that does it. It's located in Portland Maine and has customers like Catapiller, Harly Davidson, Ford, GM etc.