Eagel rods are about $300 and well worth it.
2012 HD VRSCF
2010 Ford Explorer
2006 Ford Ranger
2004 Chevy Cavalier
The Eagle rods are by far much stronger. Eagle uses a better grade of steel and a multi-hammer forging process, resulting in a very tight grain structure. The stock use a lesser expensive steel and a "one-shot" forging, which is stamped between two dies. While this is stronger and has a tighter grain struture than a cast rod, it's not reccommended for a moderately to seriously boosted motor or one that revs very high.
A stock rod can be made stronger by grinding the stress risers (the forging's parting seam and any raised point in the metal, aka, polishing the beams), shot peening the rods, installing new aftermarket rod bolts and balancing the rods. Have the rods magnafluxed before and after this proceedure to ensure you start with good rods and that there are no hidden flaws, after. Rods with this done to them can reliably handle a N/A motor, with light weight pistons, turning upto about 6800-7000 rpms for very short periods of time. If you are going to sustain anything over about 6200-6400 rpms, use the Eagle rods.
I forgot to put this in there: I defintitely wouldn't pay a shop to do that work. If you can't do all that yourself, get the Eagle rods, unless you must use stock rods because of racing rules.
i would definatly get the eagle rods, even with all that work done to the stockers, they're still a weak link especially in a 2.4L. the "big end" on the rods in the twincam are a weak link, everyone i've done with stock rods are no where near round imo the metal is too soft for the punishment they take.
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** Flat Broke Racing Inc.**
