Originally posted by diesel DOG
isn't it six vs. eight?
Yes... But...
8 divided by six is 1. 33. I think its fair to say that the Cummins rod is much larger and stronger than 1. 33x the competition.
Keep in mind also that the 7. 3l PSD is 1. 24x as large as a cummins and the DM is 1. 12x as large.
On a more technical level, I believe the Cummins rods show a more mature design. For example, the Cummins rods exhibit the following characteristics that are minimal or absent from the GM and International rod:
1. Larger bearing surface area.
2. Better fillet radii to prevent stress concentrations
3. Maximum size of the crank pin, as evidenced by the canted end cap (required to remove the rod from the block through the piston hole, I believe).
4. Maximum size of wrist pin.
5. Nonlinear radius of curvature on the upper edge of the crankpin.
The above was written by TDR members rbattelle & DPelletier.
