Engine Specs - S65/S85 Rod Bolts

Which rod bolts are best?

A lot of people ask which connecting rod bolts are best, and which they should use.  There is no simple answer.  Factory bolts cost less but take longer to install.  Once you use them, you need to throw them away and buy new ones.  Aftermarket bolts cost significantly more (3x, 4x) than factory bolts, but they take less time to install and can be reused.

While there is no doubt aftermarket rod bolts will be higher quality and stronger than factory bolts, they also have some side-effects that most people don't realize.

Clamping strength

The ability to keep the rod bore perfectly round will depend on the clamping strength of the rod bolt itself.