an improved high performance aluminum connecting rod and a method for manufacturing such a connecting rod are disclosed , the connecting rod being capable of carrying particularly high compressive loads with a substantially reduced deformation resulting from such high compressive loads . in the preferred embodiment , the connecting rod of the present invention is made of an extruded bar stock forging made of an aluminum alloy material which is forged and machined to make the connecting rod . the connecting rod of the present invention has a substantially increased compressive yield strength as well as a substantially increased tensile yield strength . this increase in the compressive yield strength of the connecting rod of the present invention effectively prevents bending of the connecting rod beam , elongation of the wrist pin bore , and a marked deterioration in the roundness of the bearing housing bore . the improved high performance aluminum connecting rod of the present invention finds particular application in the field of high performance racing engines .