Ben,
Stage 3 is a reseller of Probe/CHP. Your components would be dropshipped from CHP/Probe if that's the route that you decided to go. To the best of my knowledge there is only one source for a 4.17" crank and companies then private label the crankshaft to whatever they want (CHP, DSS, ect - all resellers, none of which manufacture crankshafts.) We're also a dealer for Probe/CHP, as are a number of other sources. If you're interested we can blueprint the crank before its shipped to you - a step most others aren't willing to take (because it's being dropshipped or they're not capable of the service.)
Wize,
John's use of a short connecting rod really didn't have anything to do with the reasons you cite - It had to do with detonation and limited octane fuel. John's motor was running over 13:1 on 92 octane spec gasoline, a short rod pulls the piston away at TDC faster than a long rod and is less prone to detonation. As an EMC competitor we're pretty familiar with the builds. His Big Block was also a 460 based entry, not an FE. But the arguement is correct, IMO, the examples are just a bit flawed.
Think about it this was as well... (devils advocate)
IF the "poor" rod ratio caused the engine to prematurely wear out - What would it get 50%? Figuring a "long lasting" performance engine at 100k, the "poor rod" ratio combination would get 50k miles. We have customers that have ran motors past that with the "infamous" pin intersecting 347's and other combo's with lower rod ratios than the 427 kits. Most of these cars are driven 2-3k/year - If the engine lasted 20 years would you be dissapointed?
If it's the magic 427 number you're looking for then build the kit, it'll be fine.
$.02
Brian
www.ADperformance.com
PS: Thank you LMH.