Chevy dimple rods, ARP bolts....
Is it worth polishing the beams?
I know it's a bit of work and would still need to be balanced.
I see people making some pretty good power with them so at what point do you say, screw it, and go to a stronger rod?

-beerjet-

Depends on what you're doing and how much your time and effort is worth.

Anything much over 7000 rpm and about 750hp aspirated is really when you should consider stepping up. I mean you can get away with more... blown for sure... and smaller nitrous shots... but then you still have a part that's been out in the world going through God knows what for 20... 30... 40 years. I mean I have ran them on no bullshit, dyno'ed  730hp engines, added a 250 shot of nitrous, and let her rip to 7300 and gone seasons, but I would never say that is the norm... and a decent set of rods won't set you back much more than a couple hundred over the cost of labor and parts on your old rods.

500 inch all iron (at least at this point) Chevy.
Pump gas.
I guess they lived just fine with a whipple charger before....
NA app should be fine.


-beerjet-

500 inch? I'm assuming a large bore and stk stroke with using a std length rod. Pump gas deal... I wouldn't even think twice about it... RUN 'EM. Though, before going through the trouble of working them over... I'd still get them mag'ed and checked for straightness... no sense in putting time and loot into something if it's got cracks or bent up.

They were in the motor before and I want to say they were already checked.....I hope.

-beerjet-

Are these the early 3/8 dimple rod or the more heavy duty 7/16 rod? Actually both are a good rod and I don't see a problem either for your application. I have a pair of 3/8 shot peened & polished Chevy I beam rods with ARP bolts in my 454 in my Chevelle for 21 years and that engine has seen 7,000 rpm and has run 11.30's and I have never had a problem. In my boat I have the 1969 L88/ZL1 7/16 (green rod) and before these were in my boat engine they were used in my 427 alcohol engine in my dragster for four years with 13.5:1 and at 7,500 rpm that engine made 743 hp and ran 8.30's @ 164....so I really wouldn't worry about strenght for your performance level....use them!

They're gonna get ran.

-beerjet-