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1.4L 16v - EA111
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1.4L 16v - EA111
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Kit of 4 forged connecting rods for the VAG 1.4 TSI EA111 (rifle-drilled).
The VAG EA111 1.4 TSI is an inline four-cylinder of 1,390 cc with direct petrol injection and forced induction, built by the Volkswagen Group from 2005 to 2015. It combines a 76.5 mm bore with a 75.6 mm stroke, chain-driven timing and TSI direct injection. Depending on the version it uses either a single turbocharger or the twincharger setup pairing a supercharger with a turbo, giving a sharp low-end response. It is found notably on the Volkswagen Golf and Polo as well as the SEAT Ibiza (engine codes CAVD, CAXA, CAVA, BLG, CAX, CAV, CVA).
Heavily stressed by boost, the EA111 1.4 TSI sees its factory rods (144 mm centre distance, 19 mm pin) become a weak point as soon as boost pressure or engine speed rise. The forged rods offered here feature a rifle-drilled oil hole that carries oil to the small end to lubricate the wrist pin, securing the bottom end on a built engine.
Machined from high-strength 4340 steel, reinforced forged connecting rods strengthen the bottom end as soon as power rises. They become essential when switching to forged pistons, raising the rev limit, increasing boost pressure or gaining displacement, all cases where the original rod reaches its limits.
Designed to withstand the high stresses of tuned engines (turbocharged and supercharged alike), these forged connecting rods cover every discipline (rally, drift, drag, circuit and track days, hillclimb, time attack) and support Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4+ builds, up to full competition engines.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Bolts | Pin diameter OEM 19 mm | Small-end width | Big-end diameter OEM 50,6 mm | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 144 mm | Weight per rod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-VW-004-HR | ZRP | H | ARP 2000-5/16"-38mm | 19 mm | 50,6 mm | 23 mm | 144 mm | 457 g | |
| R-VW-004-HR-L19 | ZRP | H | ARP L19-5/16"-38mm | 19 mm | 50,6 mm | 23 mm | 144 mm | 457 g |
| Rod | Bolts | Torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP H (ARP 2000) | ARP 2000 5/16" | 40,7 N·m | 0,140 – 0,152 mm |
| ZRP H (ARP L19) | ARP L19 5/16" | 54,2 N·m | 0,127 – 0,140 mm |
Manufacturers recommend the stretch-gauge method as the reference: the instructions supplied with the kit always take precedence. The torque figures correspond to assembly with ARP lubricant.
| 4340 steel is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel used in aerospace and motorsport alike. Forged then heat-treated (quench and temper), it offers excellent tensile strength, high fatigue resistance and real ductility. Compared with an original rod (often sintered/powder metal, optimised for series-production cost), a 4340 forged rod shows roughly +19% higher yield strength, +8% higher tensile strength and above all +19% to +37% higher fatigue strength, i.e. a fatigue life under cyclic loading several times longer. This is what makes forged 4340 the reference material as soon as boost and rpm climb. |
 | H-beam profile. “H”-shaped section offering great rigidity and excellent resistance to bending and compression. Slightly heavier than an I-beam, it favours strength: the choice for high-torque engines, large displacements and drag. On a torque-oriented, reliability-focused EA111, it is a safe bet. |
The rod bolt is one of the most heavily stressed parts in the engine. The key is to match the ARP grade to the real use of the build, then to strictly follow the assembly torque and stretch.
 | ARP 2000 (tensile strength ~220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa) is the high-performance standard. Suited to builds up to 150 hp per cylinder with 5/16" bolts, and up to 8,500 rpm, it is the most common grade in circuit, track days, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb, recognised for its strength, reliability and versatility, with no particular storage constraints. |
 | L19 (tensile strength ~260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa) is designed for engines pushed to the extreme, up to extreme cylinder pressures, and up to 10,000 rpm: very high boost pressure, sustained high rpm and high cylinder pressure. It is the choice for big-power builds: drag racing, drift, rally and circuit use. Caution: sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, it must always be stored and fitted oiled, away from moisture. |
In addition to torque tightening, measuring rod-bolt stretch is the most reliable check for optimal preload. The check is done with the bolt fitted: place the gauge (dial indicator) on the two ends of the bolt and read its actual stretch, which must match the recommended value (see the torque & stretch table above). This method removes the friction variations inherent in torque tightening and secures the assembly on heavily stressed engines. |
 | ZRP, a Greek brand of high-performance forged connecting rods, designed by Alex Drakos in Athens. Each rod is forged from 4340 steel, precision-machined and balanced to ±1 g to stay reliable at high rpm. Available in I-beam or H-beam profile with ARP 2000, L19 or Custom Age 625+ bolts, they are designed and inspected in Greece, and proven in rally, on circuit and in drift. |
 | 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 |
These forged connecting rods are compatible with all vehicles fitted with the VAG EA111 1.4 TSI engine (3.0L 24V twin-turbo):
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Group (VW / Audi / SEAT / Škoda) | 1.4 TSI (Golf, Polo, Ibiza) | CAVD / CAXA / CAVA / BLG / CAX / CAV / CVA | 2005–2015 |
When an original bottom end fails (broken, bent or scored rod), going back to the factory configuration means replacing the rods and the pistons, often damaged at the same time. The bill climbs quickly, for a simple restoration to stock.
For an equivalent budget, or even less, fitting 4340 forged connecting rods paired with forged pistons brings far greater reliability and safety margin, plus real potential for power increase. It’s the solution chosen by European engine builders for over 15 years.
For the same budget: more reliability, more potential, more longevity.
