Eric,<br><br>The N-14 and the C series 8.3 engines DO NOT use the type/style rod as the &quot;B&quot; series does with cap offset from center.<br><br>Looking at a picture of the N-14 rod is like looking at the PS or DuraMax rod in shape, just not size.<br><br>The offset caps of the &quot;B&quot; engine rod are to clear the camshaft which resides very close to the crank/rods in this particluar engine and to make it easier to get the rods with the piston attached to them out of and back into the block when the engine is in the chassis during an in-frame overhall.<br><br>The large bulk and mass of the Cummins rod for the &quot;B&quot; series is actually not a good thing for high rpm and performance use. <br>Faster engine rev up and a lighter mass is always better for this as long as strength of the rod is not compromised beyond loading limits for its intended use. The &quot;B&quot; series rod is designed to deal with the offset cap in its design by added strength and bulk. <br><br>Don~<br><br>

 

The B series Cummins is really starting to fall behind in the diesel engine world, most of the new models for over the road truck engines have at least one over head cam. <br><br>The Detroit 60 series is the best seller on the market right now, and is a very easy engine to maintain and service. The Cat C-16 and the Cummins ISX are both OHC engines and are making 600+ HP very easily. <br><br>If Cummins would put an OHC on the B engine, they wouldnt be touched as far as reliabilty, ease of maintnence and power output. <br><br>As far as connecting rod design, the B is the only engine II know of that uses the side bolted cap design, like stated before, mostly for clearence.