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2.0L 16v - LF
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2.0L 16v - LF
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Set of 4 forged 4340 steel connecting rods for the Mazda 2.0 16V LF.
The Mazda LF is the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine of the MZR family: an inline four-cylinder unit with double overhead camshafts, 16 valves and variable intake timing (S-VT). With a displacement of 1,999 cc (bore 87.5 mm, stroke 83.1 mm), it powered many models between 2003 and 2018: Mazda3 (BK then BL), Mazda5, Mazda6 (GG/GH) and the MX-5 NC roadster. Depending on version and market it is found under the codes LF-DE, LF-VE and LF-VD, the latter with DISI direct injection.
Reliable in standard form, the bottom end quickly reaches its limits once power rises, especially on the turbo or supercharger conversions widespread on the MX-5 NC and Mazda3. The factory rod, though forged, cannot be replaced on its own (Mazda supplies it together with the piston) and is not sized for the cylinder pressure of a built engine. Replacing the rotating assembly with machined and balanced 4340 forged connecting rods secures the power increase and makes high rpm reliable.
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 21 mm | Small-end width | Big-end diameter OEM 50 mm | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 146 mm | Weight per rod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-MAZ-002H | ZRP | H | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 21 | 50 | 21.8 | 146 | 456 g | |
| R-MAZ-002H-L19 | ZRP | H | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 21 | 50 | 21.8 | 146 | 456 g | |
| R-MAZ-002-I | ZRP | I | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 21 | 50 | 21.8 | 146 | 515 g | |
| R-MAZ-002-I-L19 | ZRP | I | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 21 | 50 | 21.8 | 146 | 515 g |
| Rod | Bolts | Torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-MAZ-002H) | ARP 2000 | 61 N·m | 0.140 – 0.152 mm |
| ZRP (R-MAZ-002H-L19) | ARP L19 | 67.8 N·m | 0.152 – 0.165 mm |
| ZRP (R-MAZ-002-I) | ARP 2000 | 61 N·m | 0.140 – 0.152 mm |
| ZRP (R-MAZ-002-I-L19) | ARP L19 | 67.8 N·m | 0.152 – 0.165 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. |
 | I-Beam. Its slimmer central section makes the rod lighter: less inertia and freer, quicker rev rises. It is the most common design on modern petrol engines, both naturally aspirated and moderately boosted. |
 | H-Beam. Its solid flanks give it great rigidity and excellent resistance to high cylinder pressure. It is the profile of choice for high-torque builds and high boost levels. |
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 ARP's high-performance standard (tensile strength around 220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa): it covers builds up to 150 hp per cylinder in 5/16" and 200 hp per cylinder in 3/8", up to 8,500 rpm. Rugged, reliable and versatile, it fits with no storage constraint and suits track, trackday, drift, rally, drag and hill climb. |
 | L19 A premium steel (tensile strength around 260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa) designed for engines pushed to the extreme (very high boost pressure, sustained high revs, high cylinder pressure): it accepts up to 200 hp per cylinder in 5/16" and 250 hp per cylinder in 3/8", up to 10,000 rpm. Sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, it is stored and fitted oiled. It is the choice for high-power builds in drag, drift, rally and circuit. |
| In addition to torque tightening, measuring bolt stretch with a dial indicator remains the most reliable check of a correct, repeatable preload. With the bolt fitted, the dial indicator is set on the two ends of the bolt and its actual stretch is read, which must match the recommended value (see the torque and stretch table above). Independent of the friction that distorts a torque-only reading, this method secures the bottom end of heavily loaded engines, such as a tuned MZR 2.0 LF. |
 | ZRP. Founded in Athens by Alex Drakos, this Greek brand designs high-performance 4340 forged connecting rods. Each rod is precision-machined and balanced to ±1 g to stay reliable at high rpm. For this engine, ZRP offers them in I-Beam or H-Beam profile, with ARP 2000 or L19 bolts. Designed and inspected in Greece, they are proven in rally, on track 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 Mazda LF (MZR 2.0) engine (3.0L 24V twin-turbo):
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | Mazda3 (BK, BL) | LF-DE / LF-VE | 130–147 hp | 2003–2013 |
| Mazda | Mazda5 (CR, CW) | LF-VE / LF-VD | 130–147 hp | 2005–2018 |
| Mazda | Mazda6 (GG, GH) | LF-DE / LF-VE | 130–147 hp | 2002–2012 |
| Mazda | MX-5 (NC) | LF-VE | 158–167 hp | 2005–2015 |
OEM reference :
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.
