How strong are the 5.0 HO rods?
 

If I have the rods shot peened and assembled with ARP bolts, how much hp can they handle?

hmmm
 

For a 306 right? How much HP are you wanting?

Yes, their for a 306 and I'd like to make around 400 hp.

400hp at the flywheel? or wheels? And Are you going to use all motor, or are you going to spray, or a supercharger?

If your using factory rods, that havent failed over many years of use, you no theres no defects in them. I would say they could hold 350 HP at the flywheel no problem. I would ask a machine shop, for advise that builds them all day long, sence no one else has replied but me :D

Spraying is hard on motors, i wouldnt spray to 400Hp on stock rods. stop me if im wrong anyone ;)

I've sprayed a 150 shot and had ported E'brocks, RPM intake and a F-303 cam on a stock bottom end. When I did a rebuild I found that the rods, crank and pistons were fine. The key to keeping parts alive is maintenance and good insurance such as ARP bolts, good bearings and oil pressure.

Im pushing out about 475-500 on spray at the wheels on stock crank and rods. The block will split b4 the rods or crank will ever fail. I have see many stock bottom end cars push out well over 425hp at the wheels under boost and not break. The number one things had already been said to keeping a motor last long, good bearings and good maintnance.

I'm going to put in new bearings and piston rings, but I can pick up a set of rods for under $50. I wanted to put larger ARP bolts in the connecting rods.

my machinist told me that stock windsor rods were good for 400 hp with ARP bolts.

I'm going to need an aftermarket con rod. I also want to shoot a 150 hp nitrous shot occasionally. Any recommendations?

What block are you going to be running? If it is the stock or sportsman block then a properly shot peen and stress relieved stock rod with ARP's will hole more then the block will. The only reason to really change at that point is because you are going to a floating piston.