Carrillo Engine Connecting Rod

Carrillo Engine Connecting Rods: Race-Proven Precision from a Founding Legend

When it comes to engine connecting rods for high-performance and racing applications, few names carry more weight than Carrillo. Founded by Fred Carrillo in 1963 with an uncompromising approach to manufacturing, the company was built on the understanding that the never-ending quest for speed demands equal dedication in component production. More than six decades later, that founding philosophy is still the driving force behind every rod that leaves their facility.

Carrilloy: A Proprietary Alloy Built for Extreme Duty

What sets Carrillo connecting rods apart at a materials level starts with their signature steel. Carrillo uses a proprietary 4330m alloy steel to manufacture its connecting rods, known as Carrilloy — a chrome, nickel, moly, vanadium alloy that meets all VAR (vacuum arc re-melt) ASTM standards. Whether facing the incredible forces of a drag race or the sustained demands of an endurance race, Carrilloy is engineered to resist fatigue and deformation, crafted using the most advanced forging and machining techniques available. Beyond Carrilloy, Carrillo's material science team continues to push the envelope: their engineers have developed additional proprietary alloys, including CPC 1350 — approximately 22% stronger than the standard material — which allows for a reduced cross-section and lighter rod weight while maintaining or even slightly increasing strength. A second alloy, CPC 1850, is about 44% stronger than standard rod material, targeting the most demanding drag racing and road race applications.

H-Beam, A-Beam, and Beyond: Beam Configurations for Every Build

Carrillo's connecting rod lineup covers a wide range of beam architectures to match the demands of any engine build. The Radius Slot H-Beam represents the well-known and durable standard CP-Carrillo design. The Straight H-Beam is the stoutest beam configuration available, capable of handling the most abusive forces in an engine. The Square Slot variation reduces the radius in the H-beam slot for additional weight saving with minimum compromise of rod rigidity — ideal for applications with a critical low target weight. The Super A-Beam, with its increased beam thickness, offers a higher load capacity than the regular A-beam design. This versatility means builders can select the precise geometry their application demands, whether it's a street/strip muscle car, a sprint car, or a top fuel dragster.

Patented Fasteners and World-Class Quality Control

The fastener system is arguably the most critical element of any connecting rod assembly, and Carrillo treats it as such. CP-Carrillo employs two bolt materials — H-11 tool steel at 220,000 UTS and Multiphase™ at 285,000 UTS — with all fasteners featuring a patented thread design and the highest dimensional integrity in the industry, with each lot destructively tested for ultimate tensile strength and fatigue. All WMC and CARR bolts are manufactured with asymmetrical threads, giving evenly distributed thread engagement that helps increase clamp load and improve the fatigue life of the fastener.

Quality assurance extends through the entire manufacturing process. All critical CNC machines at CP-Carrillo are equipped with probing to validate dimensional integrity, each part is magnafluxed at least twice, and every piece is Rockwell tested to validate the heat treat procedure before a final controlled shot-peen operation completes the part. Each rod is manufactured in the USA from oversized proprietary steel forgings to ensure proper grain flow and guaranteed removal of any surface inclusions.

Applications Spanning Motorsports, Powersports, and OEM

CP-Carrillo's extensive product line includes connecting rods for Domestic, Diesel, Drag, Sport Compact, Vintage, European, and Powersport applications. Their work with industry giants like GM, KTM, Porsche, GasGas, and Husqvarna reflects a dedication to pushing the boundaries of engine performance as both an OEM and racing supplier. Whether you're building a high-revving sport compact, a nitro-burning Top Fueler, or a diesel tow rig that needs to withstand extreme cylinder pressures, Carrillo has a connecting rod engineered to the task. Explore the full Carrillo brand catalog or browse all engine connecting rods to find the right rod for your build.