Forged connecting rods Audi Volkswagen - 2.0 TFSI EA113 Gen.2 (21 mm pin) for forged pistons

The 2.0 TFSI EA113 Gen.2 engine

The second-generation 2.0 TFSI EA113 is an inline four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engine with direct injection and turbocharging, still using belt-driven timing. It displaces 1,984 cc (82.5 mm bore, 92.8 mm stroke) and was built mainly between 2006 and 2013. It powered some of the Volkswagen group’s most iconic sporty models , Audi A3 8P and S3, TT/TTS 8J, Golf V GTI, Golf VI R, Scirocco R, SEAT Leon Cupra, as well as the KTM X-Bow , with outputs ranging from 230 to 272 hp depending on the engine code (BHZ, BYD, BZC, CDLA, CDLB, CDLC, CDLF, CDLG, CDMA, CDZA, BWJ). This Gen.2 variant pairs a 21 mm piston pin with a 144 mm connecting-rod center-to-center.

A tuner favourite, the 2.0 TFSI EA113 readily accepts extra power. Yet as soon as boost, engine speed and torque climb sharply, the factory rod becomes the weak link of the rotating assembly: it is the first part to fail on the most heavily built engines. Fitting forged connecting rods is therefore the essential step to make an EA113 reliable for good when you want to unlock its full potential.

The forged connecting rods

Our forged connecting rods for the 2.0 TFSI EA113 Gen.2 are forged from wrought 4340 steel, the benchmark material for the most demanding engine builds. They suit every discipline , circuit and track days, drift, rally, drag, time attack, hillclimb , and work equally well in a heavily tuned street 2.0 TFSI or a full competition engine. From Stage 2 to high-power Stage 3, right through to Stage 4 and beyond, they follow the power increase without ever compromising on strength. Each set gathers 4 weight-matched rods and faithfully keeps the original 21 mm pin and 144 mm center-to-center.

Where the factory rod remains sized for very high-volume production cost, the 4340 forged rod releases a far greater mechanical margin: roughly +19% on yield strength, +8% on tensile strength and +19 to +37% on fatigue life. This reserve lets the boosted EA113 absorb cylinder-pressure peaks and inertial loads without any crack initiation. Two geometries meet the widest range of goals: the H profile and the I-HD profile by ZRP, complemented by the I profile from Wössner.

Technical specifications of the EA113 Gen.2 forged rods (21 mm pin, 144 mm center-to-center)

Tightening torque and stretch

The torque and stretch figures below are given as a guide for each bolt grade; always refer to your rod manufacturer’s data sheet. The stretch method, using a dial gauge, remains the benchmark for a reliable preload.

Technical guide

Forged 4340 steel: what is it?

The rod profiles offered

	I / I-HD profile. The I-beam section offers the best compromise between light weight and stiffness: by cutting reciprocating mass it limits inertial loads at high rpm. The I-HD (Heavy Duty) version reinforces the beam to take more torque and boost, while the Wössner I profile favours a light, precise assembly. These geometries suit engines that spin high.
	H profile. The H-beam section has two broad flat flanks that excel in bending and compression. It is the profile of choice when torque and boost become very high, particularly on drag-oriented, high-load engines. It brings great structural strength at the cost of a slightly higher mass than the I profile.

How to choose your rod bolts?

The rod bolt is one of the most heavily stressed parts of the engine: it must keep the cap closed despite repeated inertial loads. The grade is chosen according to the target power and the operating engine speed.

	ARP 2000. With a tensile strength of about 220,000 psi (≈ 1,517 MPa), ARP 2000 covers the vast majority of builds. It easily handles up to about 150 hp per cylinder in 5/16" and 200 hp per cylinder in 3/8", at engine speeds reaching 8,500 rpm. It is the ideal all-round choice for circuit, track day, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb.
	ARP L19. More capable, ARP L19 develops about 260,000 psi (≈ 1,793 MPa). It targets the most heavily loaded engines: up to about 200 hp per cylinder in 5/16" and 250 hp per cylinder in 3/8", at engine speeds approaching 10,000 rpm. It is reserved for high boost and sustained high rpm; sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen, it demands quality oil and careful storage.

Measuring bolt stretch

See the ARP stretch gauge

The brands offered

	ZRP. Designed by Alex Drakos in Athens (Greece), ZRP rods are machined from 4340 steel with high precision and delivered weight-matched to ±1 g. Available here in H and I-HD profiles with ARP 2000 or ARP L19 bolts, they stand out in circuit, drift, rally and drag as a robust solution with an outstanding performance-to-price ratio.
	Wössner. A German manufacturer renowned for its high-precision components, Wössner offers here an I-profile forged-steel rod, weighed and matched, paired with ARP 2000 hardware. A sound choice for those seeking a light, precise assembly from a recognised European maker.

Glossary

1) Small end 2) Small-end diameter 3) Rod beam 4) Rod bolt 5) Big end 6) Rod nut / bolt 7) Rod cap 8) Big-end diameter 9) Center-to-center

Vehicle compatibility for the 2.0 TFSI EA113 Gen.2 engine

Why is it the most economical solution?

Replacing the factory rods with forged rods during a build remains the most cost-effective spend: it costs a fraction of a new engine or of a full rebuild after failure. On a heavily worked EA113, a forged rod prevents the failure that destroys block, crankshaft and cylinder head. It is a lasting mechanical insurance to unlock the engine’s potential with peace of mind.