First off, I know nothing about timing on a 2 stroke or where the power lies. Second, I'm no expert on anything. A long rod is better than a short rod for a few reasons. 1, the acceleration/decelleration forces of the piston are less with a long rod. 2, the side loading of the piston is less meaing less friction to overcome or protect against. 3, the dwell at TDC is greater allowing for a more complete combustion of the fuel charge. There is a conrod/stroke ratio that is important and I think I remember the number as 1.6:1 which means as the conrod length gets closer to the stroke mechanical forces start mounting up in a hurry. Used to be piston speed needed to be kept under 4 feet per second or severe damage could set in. I'm not sure of the ft/sec but that mostly was because of metalurgical standards in the 1960's. Notice I said long rod and not stroke. Another way of looking at it, for a given bore and stroke a longer conrod will be able to rev higher and last longer. All of this information is older than jbcomp so it may not stand today but mechanical advantages and "guidelines" don't change much, metal and lube quality can but math formulas seldom do. This is not meant to flame anyone or disagree, just food for thought.