DragStuff

You made the right decision John. I use Howard billet steel rods in my 540 and I haven't really had an issue on nitrous and we've been spraying 450 hp of nitrous on that motor for 2.5 seasons and she's huffing right along. Does it make me nervous, YES! I had to hold me breath on 2 separate ocassions this year as we knocked pistons out of it twice setting up a 2nd stage. As stated earlier, if you lose a rod in an aluminum rod motor, you'll likely be able to reuse the block. Steel rods.....ah boat anchor!! Aluminum rods give you alittle more peace of mind when you start throwing around really big nitrous hits. With 4.5" of stroke in that motor you're planning John, you'll be happier with the aluminum.

I broke a steel rod on a NA 461 cu BBC earlier this year and it trashed the block, the cam, a few pistons, even waded up a few pushrods. So in my opinion aluminum would definently be better for making your dart block live longer.

What about titanium rods? I know they are super high dollar, but are they close to the weight of aluminum and would they last longer?

I dont think they take up some of the "shock" like the alum ones.Just a guess.

No they would actually cause more brg. damage due to shock.They are lighter then aluminum and yes very expensive. If you were only going to run a small shot then by all means use them if you can afford them.

So they are ok in an n/a engine?

Thats where they will give you the best performance. Lighter then aluminum and as atrong as steel.