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Trimetal connecting rod bearings Toyota 3S-GE 3S-GTE

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Set of 8 trimetal connecting rod half-bearings for the naturally aspirated Toyota 3S-GE four-cylinder and the turbocharged 3S-GTE.

  • Brands and treatments: ACL Race and King Racing
  • Compatibility: Toyota Celica, MR2 SW20, Carina, Corona, Caldina, Camry, Altezza, RAV4
  • Engine codes: 3S-GE, 3S-GEL, 3S-GELC, 3S-GELU, 3S-GTE
  • Available sizes: standard to +0.50 mm, increased-clearance versions (HX, STDX)

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  • The Toyota 3S-GE and 3S-GTE four-cylinder engine

    The 3S is the 2.0-litre (1,998 cc) four-cylinder of Toyota's S family: twin overhead camshafts, 16 valves, 86 mm bore and stroke. It comes as the naturally aspirated 3S-GE and the turbocharged 3S-GTE, and powered the Celica (including the GT-Four), the MR2 SW20, the Carina, Corona, Caldina, Camry and Vista, the Altezza and the RAV4. All these versions share the same crankpin diameter: a single bearing set covers the whole family.

    From the factory, this engine is fitted with standard production connecting rod bearings, sized for the loads of the original engine: as soon as power, engine speed or boost pressure increase, they reach their limits.

    Trimetal connecting rod bearings

    A trimetal bearing stacks three layers: a steel back, a copper-lead intermediate layer with high load capacity and an anti-friction running surface that protects the journal. The complete set contains 8 half shells, four pairs for a four-cylinder engine.

    The original bearing relies on an aluminium alloy over a steel back, intended for low to medium loads, whereas trimetal is designed for high, sustained loads: an aluminium bi-metal takes around 8,000 psi, a performance trimetal up to 12,000 psi, 50% more. Hence better resistance and better durability on turbocharged, supercharged and high-revving engines.

    Technical specifications

    Fitment dimensions common to all references
    ACL / King bearings
    Crankpin Ø 47.985 / 48.000 mm
    Housing bore Ø 51.004 / 51.024 mm
    Width 21.3 mm (ACL), 21.2 mm (King)
    ReferenceBrand and treatmentSizeWall thickness (mm)
    4B8366H-STDACL Race - UntreatedStandard1.488
    4B8366HX-STDACL Race - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (HX)1.475
    4B8366H-.025ACL Race - Untreated+0.0251.501
    4B8366H-.25ACL Race - Untreated+0.251.613
    4B8366H-.50ACL Race - Untreated+0.501.738
    CR4209XP STDXKing Racing - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (STDX)1.476
    CR4209XP.026King Racing - Untreated+0.0261.502
    CR4209XP0.25King Racing - Untreated+0.251.616
    CR4209XPCKing Racing - pMaxKoteStandard1.489
    CR4209XPC STDXKing Racing - pMaxKoteStd, increased clearance (STDX)1.476
    CR4209XPC.026King Racing - pMaxKote+0.0261.502
    CR4209XPC0.25King Racing - pMaxKote+0.251.616
    CR4209XPC0.5King Racing - pMaxKote+0.501.743

    Running clearance

    The running clearance is the gap between the bearing and the journal where the oil film flows.

    In operation, the crankshaft journal does not rub against the bearing: it rides on this oil film, which carries the load. Clearance sets the thickness of this film: too tight, oil flows poorly, temperature rises and the risk of seizure increases; too loose, oil escapes, the film loses load-carrying capacity and oil pressure drops. The right clearance is the balance between adequate lubrication and a well-maintained oil film.

    Size / gradeWhen to choose itACL Race SeriesKing XP / XPC
    Standard (STD)Standard journal, not reground0.051 to 0.061 mm0.048 mm - 0.055 mm
    Increased clearance (HX / STDX)Wider clearance: high oil flow, high rpm0.076 to 0.086 mm0.073 mm - 0.080 mm
    +0.025 / +0.026 mmPolished journal0.051 to 0.061 mm0.048 mm - 0.055 mm
    +0.25 mmJournal reground to 0.25 mm0.051 to 0.061 mm0.048 mm - 0.055 mm
    +0.50 mmJournal reground to 0.50 mm0.051 to 0.061 mm0.048 mm - 0.055 mm

    Checking on assembly: lay a calibrated strip (Plastigauge) on the journal, torque the rod cap to spec (see the torque table below), then compare the crushed strip against the gauge to read the clearance.

    Plastigauge

    Order the Plastigauge →

    Connecting rod bolt torques

    BoltsBy torqueBy stretch (gauge)
    Forged rod ZRP, ARP2000
    (3/8″ × 38 mm)    		61 Nm0.140 to 0.152 mm
    Forged rod ZRP, ARP L19
    (3/8″ × 38 mm)    		67.8 Nm0.152 to 0.165 mm

    ARP recommends the stretch method (gauge).

    Technical guide

    The ACL and King rod bearings shown here are trimetal bearings, designed for engine building and racing. Compared with an original bearing, they handle far higher loads: they cope with increased power, high rpm or the addition of a turbo or supercharger, where a standard bearing quickly reaches its limit.

    The two brands

    ACLACL Bearing Company, an Australian manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since 1949, offers with its Race Series precise trimetal bearings, available in many sizes and proven on built engines worldwide.
    King RacingKing Engine Bearings, an Israeli manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since the 1960s, offers with its pMax Black trimetal alloy bearings designed for heavy loads, with a pMaxKote coating available as an option (XPC version).

    Construction and advantages

    CriterionACL Race SeriesKing Racing
    Cross-sectionCross-section of an ACL Race Series trimetal bearingCross-section of a King Racing trimetal bearing
    TypeHigh-performance trimetal bearingHigh-performance trimetal bearing
    Country of manufactureAustraliaIsrael
    ConstructionTrimetal: steel back, copper layer, soft surfaceTrimetal: steel back, copper layer, soft surface
    AlloyRace Series (copper-lead)pMax Black (hardened copper-lead)
    Protective coatingNopMaxKote (optional, XPC version): polymer coating on the surface that limits wear when lubrication drops (start-ups, thin oil film).
    Available sizesStandard to +0.50 mm (+ increased clearance HX)Standard to +0.50 mm (+ increased clearance STDX)

    Vehicle compatibility

    This connecting rod bearing set fits the 3S-GE and 3S-GTE four-cylinder engines of the following Toyota models:

    BrandModel (chassis)Engine codePowerYears
    TOYOTACARINA ED I (_T16_) 2.03S-GELU160 hp1985–1989
    TOYOTACELICA Hatchback (_T16_) 2.0 GT / 2.0 / 2.0 AWD3S-GEL, 3S-GELC, 3S-GTE137–193 hp1985–1989
    TOYOTACELICA Convertible (_T16_) 2.0 GT3S-GELC, 3S-GEL140–150 hp1985–1989
    TOYOTACORONA Coupe (_T16_) 2.03S-GELU160 hp1985–1987
    TOYOTACELICA Coupe (_T16_) 2.0 Turbo 4WD / 2.03S-GTE, 3S-GEL, 3S-GELC137–185 hp1985–1989
    TOYOTACAMRY (_V2_) 2.03S-GE140 hp1986–1990
    TOYOTACORONA Saloon (_T17_) 2.0 / GT-R 2.03S-GE160–165 hp1987–1993
    TOYOTAVISTA Saloon (_V2_) 2.03S-GE140 hp1988–1990
    TOYOTACARINA ED II (_T18_) 2.03S-GE165 hp1989–1993
    TOYOTACELICA Coupe (_T18_) 2.0 / 2.0 4WD3S-GE, 3S-GTE156–208 hp1989–1994
    TOYOTACORONA EXIV Saloon (_T18_) 2.03S-GE165 hp1989–1993
    TOYOTACELICA Convertible (_T18_) 2.0 GTi3S-GE156–160 hp1989–1993
    TOYOTAMR2 II (SW2_) 2.0 16V / 2.0 Turbo / 2.03S-GE, 3S-GTE156–245 hp1989–2000
    TOYOTAVISTA / CAMRY Saloon (_V3_, _V4_) 2.03S-GE165 hp1990–1994
    TOYOTACARINA E VI (_T19_) 2.0 GTi / 2.0 GTi 16V3S-GE158–175 hp1992–1997
    TOYOTACARINA E VI Saloon (_T19_) 2.0 GTi 16V / 2.0 GTi3S-GE158–175 hp1992–1997
    TOYOTACARINA ED III (_T2_) 2.03S-GE170–180 hp1993–1998
    TOYOTACORONA Saloon (_T19_) 2.0 GTi3S-GE170 hp1993–1995
    TOYOTACELICA Coupe (_T20_) 2.0 i 16V / 2.0 i Turbo 4WD / GT-FOUR 2.0 4WD3S-GE, 3S-GTE170–256 hp1993–1999
    TOYOTACELICA Convertible (_T20_) 2.0 i 16V / 2.0 GTi3S-GE170–175 hp1993–1999
    TOYOTACURREN Coupe (ST20_) 2.0 4WD / 2.03S-GE170–180 hp1993–1998
    TOYOTARAV 4 I (_A1_) 2.0 4WD3S-GE165 hp1994–1999
    TOYOTACALDINA Estate (_T19_) 2.03S-GE175 hp1994–1997
    TOYOTACALDINA Estate (_T21_) 2.0 4WD / 2.03S-GTE190–261 hp1997–2002
    TOYOTAALTEZZA (_E1_) 2.0 VVTi3S-GE200–209 hp1998–2005
    TOYOTACALDINA Estate (_T24_) 2.0 4WD3S-GTE260 hp2002–2007