Dew,
The stock rod is 7.0 inches long so to get a decent piston compression height, and a light weight piston, you need a rod about 7.75-8.0 inches long. I'm sure you could get a set of BBC rods made that long but they would cost $$$$.
Plus the BBC rod isn't wide enought. I did like GH did and ordered a set from Bob Johansen. In fact I had him offset bush the small end of the rod and will end up with a 7.850 inch rod.