sean, I know you've said before you use them, Eagle rods. Thats your choice, I know many American builds use them too, it is however well known that they are "not all that"! Many more Americans shy away from them due to quality issues and in many's peoples opinion they are "just cheap shit".
Its proven that standard rods are good for 300+ bhp.
Considering the above and in answer to the thread title, the answer to juffer's question IMO its a no brainer.