IE Forged Connecting Rods VW 164X20 | Fits 12V & 24V 2.8L VR6
PRODUCT FEATURES
OVERVIEW
When increasing the power output of your VW VR6 engine, internal parts begin to fail as they are pushed far beyond their original factory spec limits. Integrated Engineering Forged Connecting Rods are designed to replace the factory units and take the beating from today's high-output power modifications. Drive fast and reliably with IE performance rods, guaranteed to support over 700HP on VR6 engines!
TECHNICAL DIMENSIONS
- Center to Center: 164mm
- Wrist Pin Diameter: 20mm
- BIG End Journal Width: 19.90mm
- Wrist Pin Style: Non-tapered
- Big End Journal Diameter: 56.75mm
- Average Rod Weight (with Bolts): 558 grams
- Rod Bolt Dimensions: 5/16" x 1.5" UHL
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
H BEAM DESIGN
The H-beam design is the workhorse of our connecting rod product line. This design features strength, durability, stiffness, and rigidity. IE H-beam Connecting Rods are a great upgrade over weaker factory units.
COMPUTER-OPTIMIZED
All IE rods are designed specifically for the application using relevant cylinder pressure and other application-specific factors. We put our vast European engine knowledge to use when designing each application.
RIFLE DRILLING
Also referred to as Forced Pin Oiling (FPO), rifle drilling increases wrist pin longevity by providing additional lubrication. This upgrade is highly recommended for street-driven cars that see mileage put on them. Rifle drilling is sold separately on this application.
HONED IN-HOUSE
Honing the connecting rod big end in-house on state of the art equipment ensures the tolerances are set correctly to ensure proper bearing operation. Lesser quality rods are often not honed with the same attention to detail.
MATERIAL FORGED 4340
Made from strong and durable 2-piece 4340 forgings these rods will withstand almost everything you can throw at them.
IE/ARP ROD BOLTS
All IE rods come standard with ARP 2000 rod bolts. The rod bolts included in every set of IE rods are stamped with the letters "IE" as a way to ensure you have a genuine set of IE rods.
INCLUDED ARP 2000 ROD BOLT TORQUE SPECS
*The following torque spec is for the included ARP 2000 5/16" rod bolts using only the included ARP assembly lubricant.
TORQUE WRENCH
When using a high-quality torque wrench, first verify the torque wrench has not been dropped and is properly calibrated. An un-calibrated torque wrench can lead to under/over torque and rod bolt failure. Torque each rod bolt to a final torque of 26 ft/lbs. We recommend torquing the bolt, breaking it loose, and re-torquing it three times per bolt. This ensures proper rod bolt stretch and that the rod cap is fully seated. Do not exceed 26 ft/lbs. This torque spec is based on the included ARP assembly lubricant.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Connecting rods are some of the most stressed components in an engine and thus require extreme attention to detail to ensure proper operation and reliability. Integrated Engineering ensures the success of your next engine build by putting each set of connecting rods through a rigorous quality control process. For years Integrated Engineering H-beam Rods have been an integral part of delivering the power that the highest-powered turbo setups and race engines demand.
Extra attention has been paid to even the smallest details, such as the bearing tangs, wrist pin fit, and big end side clearance, providing a level of fit and finish not found anywhere else. Every set is finish-machined and honed in-house for perfectly round and on-size big-end bores, resulting in the industry's lowest failure rates. All rods in this series feature generous wrist pin oiling and optional rifle drilling. One of the hallmarks of a high-quality connecting rod is its strength-to-weight ratio. Our optimized H beam design is utilized and validated using modern CAD drafting and FEA analysis techniques to create this balance of strength and lightweight. These techniques ensure the rod is as light and strong as possible, perfect for today's powerful and high rpm European applications.
VEHICLE FITMENT
- VW - GTI 1993-1999.5 (MK3) 2.8L 12V VR6 engines*
- VW - GTI 1999-2005 (MK4) 2.8L 12V VR6 & 2.8L 24V VR6 engines*
- VW - Golf 1993-1999.5 (MK3) 2.8L 12V VR6 engines*
- VW - Golf 1999-2005 (MK4) 2.8L 12V VR6 & 2.8L 24V VR6 engines*
- VW - Jetta 1993-1999 (MK3) 2.8L 12V VR6 engines*
- VW - Jetta & Jetta GLI 1999-2005 (MK4) 2.8L 12V VR6 & 2.8L 24V VR6 engines*
- VW - Corrado 1988-1995 (A3) 2.8L 12V VR6 engines*
*ENGINE CODES: AAA, AFP, BDF
*REQUIRES 20MM WRIST PIN PISTONS
AVAILABLE ROD BEARINGS
OE Rod Bearing Set - IE Part Number: OEM-12V-RBSET
CALICO/OE Calico Coated VR6 Rod Bearing Set - IE Part Number: CAL-VR6-RBSET
FAQ
Are these are direct replacement for my factory rods?
These rods fit VW 2.8L VR6 engines found in many VW chassis and are a direct replacement for the factory rod when installed with aftermarket or factory pistons with 20mm wrist pins.
Is there a proper orientation to install the bearing tangs on our connecting rods?
We recommend installing the bearings tangs facing the exhaust side of the engine.
Are these connecting rods forged?
Yes, all Integrated Engineering Connecting Rods are made from tough and durable 4340 forgings. These forgings far exceed the quality of most factory rods that are typically made from powdered metal as a cost saving measure.
What other parts will be needed to install my new IE connecting rod set?
We recommend at minimum you should use a new set of connecting rod bearings when installing rods.
Do these rods require any additional machine work for installation?
IE connecting rods are delivered to you in "ready to install" condition. Other engine machine work may be required though when rebuilding an engine, such as decking the block or boring and honing cylinder walls.
Is balancing the engine required when installing these connecting rods?
Since IE rods are sold in balanced sets this is not required. For extreme performance application this can still be done if desired.
What is the maximum RPM limit of these rods?
The maximum RPM limit can be affected by many factors. In this application, we suggest not exceeding 8500 RPM with ARP 2000 bolts. If you plan on exceeding this RPM level, consider upgrading to ARP 625+ bolts.
When should I upgrade to ARP 625+ rod bolts?
Generally speaking, high RPM conditions put the most stress on rod bolts as the rod and cap are literally being pulled in opposite directions. If you plan on pushing your engine far past factory redline or 8500 RPM we would suggest upgrading to 625+ ARP bolts.
Do I need rifle drilling?
Rifle drilling is not required. However, we do strongly recommend it for daily driver and high mileage applications. Rifle drilling has been proven to extend wrist pin and bushing life and has also been utilized over the years in several VW/Audi factory connecting rods.
What is the horsepower rating on these connecting rods?
Many high horsepower VW and Audi vehicles use IE rods. We rate our 6 cylinder H-beam rods for 700+ HP/ft lb TQ. If you are planning on exceeding those levels we recommend upgrading to our Tuscan I-beam Rods.
What pistons will these rods work with?
You can run this connecting rod with factory or performance aftermarket pistons with a 20mm wrist pin. We stock several high quality piston options to suit your specific needs and to match our connecting rods. To see what we have, check the piston category of the website.
What are the most common reasons of connecting rod failure?
As one of highest stressed components in the engine there are several things that can contribute to a failure. The most common failure is caused by improper installation followed by improper tuning. We recommend that you seek professional help for both installation and tuning. Oiling system health is also essential to ensuring save engine operation. Momentary oil starvation can result in spun rod bearings and engine failure. In extreme applications also be sure that you are using heavy duty wrist pins. On many of the pistons we offer we either include stout wrist pins or offer them as an upgrade.