Introducing
VADER v3.0
THE ART OF EXCELLENCE
No Serrations
We didn't buy into the "serrated circle edge" concept of locating the cap. Using hardened steel dowel pins is the only way to fully achieve strict cap alignment and maintain bore concentricity under brutal conditions...all the time and every time.
F1 Beams
A completely redesigned beam from the ground up! Formula 1 car inspired delivering superb strength and twist resistance while keeping the rod as light as possible.
VADER Coated
NOT a chemical treatment but a highly exotic sprayed-on, thermal dispersant coating that increases the longevity of the rod by lowering its core temperature.
CAPS
A completely new cap design featuring a wider mating area at the parting line to decrease "rocking" while at the same time, keeping the weight down by strategic lightening procedures.
PEDAL TO THE MEDAL
This exotic alloy was chosen for its insane resistance to fatigue crack propagation with "off the charts" fracture toughness...all greater than the competitors' 7075 alloys.
Pin End
Specially designed pin oiling grooves, as well as a "tear-dropped", more robust pin end for extra pin lubricity and strength...with material added only where it's needed most.
GO TO THE DARK TO SEE THE LIGHT
EMBRYONIC STAGE
Life as a VADER rod starts right here. Raw rod stock awaiting to be cut, sliced, diced, drilled, and contoured into something wonderful.
GOOD VIBRATIONS
We also drop the entire connecting rod into a vibratory machine to not only fine-tune some de-burring duties but to eliminate stress risers at the same time.
HONED TO PERFECTION
As a standard practice to do at this power level, the big-end bores are precision honed (within .0002″) to precise “on split” standards, and pin bores are honed with the proper clearance to the pin—no tapered bores…no blown-out ends.
REAL WORLD FACTS
So, you want REAL-WORLD facts? We can share a few of our customer’s past experiences while using our VADER racing rods on both street and track:
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200+ passes for three seasons in a 7-second Outlaw car exceeding 250 horse per bore
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Over 400 highly abusive passes spinning them at over 10 grand through the traps in a consistent 7-second bracket car
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Exceeding 9 years of hard use in a 600-horse weekend street car
Of course, these numbers aren't a "catch-all" for every racing scenario out there. But nonetheless, these big little tidbits are sort of a big deal...and just a very small sampling of what our VADER racing rods are being subjected to right at the track...not at the bench.
SEASON USAGE
PASSES
YEARS OF USE
Are you ready to get started?
Not quite sure yet?
Please visit our contact page. We would love to discuss your high-performance connecting rod needs.
You can count on FFWD to deliver the high-quality aluminum connecting rods that your racing program requires. If other rod manufacturers can't do it, we want to!
