Diesel Tech / How-To GM Connecting Rods: How Much Can Your Duramax Handle? Because torque (i.e. cylinder pressure) is the primary killer of rods and pistons, it’s difficult to directly link a horsepower number to each engine’s weak link. However, as a general rule of… Mike McGlothlinNovember 11, 20172 comments 33 shares 10 0 23 7 minute read