for my 383? I just bought a Scat 9000 crank and want to upgrade my stock rods and might as well get pistons also. I'm looking for H-beam bushed rods with just a good set if flat tops. Nothing too fancy like JE or Wiesco.
Something that can handle around 500hp.
I would like rods that won't hit a regular base circle cam. thanks

I know a few that are running the Scat 9000 nodular crank, Not sure which rod He uses. JimM?
As for pistons, I used SRP dished for my combo and Comstar profiled H beam rods for cam clearance. I was delighted to see the bottom oil holes in the rod little end for pin oiling. I have always done this with my stock rods but lately I have been seeing the top end with oilers.
I had such good luck here as there was very little clearancing of the block with these rods. Instructions tell me I can get away with a .600 lift cam but I did not rely on this, I checked, rechecked.
I used the 16cc piston to come up to 10.0 compression as 5 cc would have put me over my limit.

I used a Scat forged profiled( knife edge throws) crank also. Beware using any light weight cranks as the combo can get too light and expensive weight may need to be added. This is just what I was told.

You can find Arias pistons worth the money....TRW flattops arent that expensive either.

I used the same srp pistons that Don did. They are little jewels, no doubg. Very lite, too, at 404 grams.

For rods, I used the scat 6" i-beam, the ones that come with 7/16" capscrews. Clear a standard base circle cam without a problem, and plenty strong.

I used Wiseco -20cc D-Dish with 62cc heads - roughly 9.5:1. I thought the price on the Wisecos was very reasonable, and also included a very nice set of rings. I got them from www.dirttrackthunder.com

I think, in general, that an I beam rod will have more cam clearance than an H beam rod will. There is no guarantee - with either rod you gotta check it. I got a good deal on Manley Sportsmaster I beams - used a reduced base circle cam, and still needed a small grind on 2 of them to provide enough clearance.

I went with 6.0 CAT H beam rods. When I inspected them in person the quality was amazing. The weight of mine was 650G for $345. Not bad.

You should give them a call and talk to them.

For pistons I would go with SRP or Probe.

http://www.catpep.com/catproducts/connectingrod/4340HBeamsuperracingrod.asp

AISI 4340 "H" BEAM SUPER RACING ROD - 3D+

C.A.T. 3D Plus® super racing “H” beam rods are manufactured from the best aircraft quality 4340 chromemoly steel. Using the new AutoCAD design, C.A.T. 3D Plus® super racing rods are the lightest racing rod in weight without the sacrifice of tensile strength. C.A.T. 3D Plus® super racing rods is forged in separate processes of rod and cap for optimum internal grain flow and structural integrity. C.A.T. 3D Plus® super racing rods are perfected for small blocks producing 800+ HP, and big blocks producing 900+HP racing application.


C.A.T. 3D Plus® super racing rods incorporate these features:



• Every rod is magnafluxed, X-rayed, and ultrasonic tested to ensure the best quality.
• Rod and cap are shot peen for stress relieved.
• Big and small ends are cross ground by Sunnen Honing machine.
• Weight control within ± 2 grams in a set.
• ARP 8740 7/16" cap screw rod bolts.
• Silicone bronze wrist pin bushings are made to withstand high impact forces.
• A third hole is drilled at the top of the small end to bleed air in the aerated lube system.
• Premium grade chromemoly base assembly lubricant is packed in every set.

• Most super racing rods are approved by "NHRA".

Not trying to out do but my Compstar rods 6.0 were 614g. Little over 1K for rods and Srp pistons.

My 388 uses a 9000 series scat crank, 5.7" scat h-beam 7/16" capscrew rods (tons of cam to rod clearance with a standard base circle cam, and they was like $219/set and are bushed and come with ARP hardware), and I am using a set of wiseco 2vr flat tops at 454g each. www.dirttrackthunder.com has awesome prices on the pistons...I think I gave a hair over $400 for the pistons and hastings moly rings. The only clearance work I had to do on my '73 4 bolt truck block was around the oil pan rail.

Dollar for dollar, Probe (forged piston/rods) has them all beat. Do some searches,..it's good stuff.