Not sure if this is really on the same track, but the old race engine builder from Melbourne, who was selling his E-series/A series combo on eBay a while back (earlier this year) used to praise the shorter rod on the A14 crank combination.

Obviously it entailed a little more work then that but he insisted this were an impressive street & power combination, especially with some basic/mild lightening of the crank & flywheel. I'm sure he used the same combination on his race engines.

All his gear was sold (due to changes in race regulations) including the E/A-Series Motor, several heads [oval + GX], boxes of cranks, pistons rods, new parts, old parts etc for a mere AU$750.00.