Topic: Carillo rods for CB550 road racing?

[cb550fcafe]

are the stock rods up to the job or is it time to go with Carillo? Over 65hp, redline 11k (hits it now and then).

[bwaller]

After some time at this, my feeling is that OEM rods are reasonable safe to 70BHP. That is with upgraded bolts & nuts.

However I also feel it's like walking on thin ice, these bolts are likely a weak link at some point. I did see the results of what I expect was bolt stretch at the end of my 2nd season and that was enough for me to buy the Carrillo's. Peace of mind..... is priceless. 

[MRieck]

Bolts are the usual weak link with rods. You can run tight squish with Carrillo's (and never worry again about rods).

[turboguzzi]

during my races seen rods go in the 400/4 (known weakness area) and the 650 (longer stroke, higher mean pisotn speed), not in the 500-550.
Did m500/4 now with new CBR600 bolts even if the stock 500/4 bolts i used in the first build seemed totally fine.

[cb550fcafe]

where can I get Carrillo rods? I asked APE and they said no.

[Bodi]

Well, they don't exist in the current catalog. Other than more current Honda engines, only the CB750 is listed.... and that may be the DOHC one. Maybe they can make some on special order, but the price is likely even more shocking than for "stock" ones.
I think they used to make rods for all the SOHC4 engines, I did put a set of H-beams (plus Yoshi 466 kit + CRs + radical cam with corresponding springs & HD cam chain + Yoshi hand bent race pipes) in a 400-4 for a "damn the expense, get me the best" guy around 35 years ago. Last I heard (1990 or so) he had so far burned out a clutch or two and melted a few pistons... but the rods were still rock solid.
I think maybe if Carillos are unavailable, shot peening the OEM rods and using the best bolts you can find will be the best choice.
Realistically... a used engine plus whatever hotrod parts are needed if yours ventilates the cases from a blown rod will probably cost less than a set of Carillos (if you can get them).

[turboguzzi]

where can I get Carrillo rods? I asked APE and they said no.

remember there's also the solution used by Rene in his 70hp 500/4 of GSXR 1000 rods (cant remember which MY). big ends are the same ID, small ends were sleeved for 13mm pins and pit bike pistons used. never held one in my hand, but should be a nice rod i think. as you can see, these use threads in the rod, so dont have the weak corner where the nut sits.

that said, the cbr600 bolts were used in supersport racers that revved to 14K. in supersport you were allowed only stock rods/bolts, so i'd say they'd be pretty safe for a 12K CB500 based motor

[MRieck]

 Carrillo makes them.....about 300.00 more than a set of 750 rods with 15mm pin bores.