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2.0L 16v - S14B20
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2.0L 16v - S14B20
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Set of 4 forged 4340 steel connecting rods for BMW 2.0L 16V S14B20.
Developed by BMW Motorsport, the S14B20 is a naturally aspirated 1,990 cc inline-four topped by a twin-cam, sixteen-valve cylinder head. This exactly two-litre displacement was created for the 320is (E30), sold mainly in Italy and Portugal where VAT soared above the two-litre threshold: a genuine sports car with a competition-bred engine under a discreet body.
Heavily oversquare (93.4 mm bore, 72.6 mm stroke), it loves to rev and produces 192 hp. Wilder cams, a freer intake and exhaust, even an increase in displacement: every build step raises combustion pressure and puts the rotating assembly under heavy strain. Fitting forged rods gives this engine the mechanical margin it needs to take those loads over the long term.
Forging a rod means hot-compressing a steel billet so its grain follows the lines of stress. The result is a part far tougher and more durable than the original sintered rod, able to absorb repeated combustion shocks without cracking. Each rod is then carefully machined and weight-matched to preserve the balance of the four-cylinder.
Here ZRP machines its rods from 4340 steel (a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy) in an H profile and supplies them as a set of four, ARP bolts included, ready to take the place of the factory rods.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Bolts | Pin diameter OEM 22 mm | Small-end width | Big-end diameter OEM 52 mm | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 150 mm | Weight per rod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-BMW-011H | ZRP | H | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 22 mm | 52 mm | 23.9 mm | 150 mm | 601 g | |
| R-BMW-011H-L19 | ZRP | H | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 22 mm | 52 mm | 23.9 mm | 150 mm | 601 g |
| Rod | Bolts | Max torque (N·m) | Stretch (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-BMW-011H) | ARP 2000 | 61 | 0.140 – 0.152 |
| ZRP (R-BMW-011H-L19) | ARP L19 | 67.8 | 0.152 – 0.165 |
Refer first to the bolt stretch (stretch gauge) specified by the manufacturer; the instructions supplied with the kit prevail in case of doubt. The torque values assume the use of ARP lubricant.
4340 owes its reputation to the balance between hardness and the ability to deform without breaking. Compared with the series sintered metal, it gains about 19% in yield strength, 8% in tensile strength and 19 to 37% in fatigue endurance depending on the load applied. On an S14 that revs hard, this margin makes the difference between a rod that bends and a rod that holds.
 | H profile / H-Beam Recognisable by its two flat sides, the H profile works remarkably well in compression and bending. It is a natural ally of high-revving engines like the S14, where it brings the required stiffness without needlessly adding to the moving assembly. |
The whole assembly relies on the rod bolt. Two ARP references come with this kit, to be chosen according to the level of the build.
 | ARP 2000 The right compromise for most projects: strong, reliable and with no storage precautions. In 3/8" it holds up to around 200 hp per cylinder and 8,500 rpm, enough to cover track, trackday, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb. |
 | ARP L19 Reserved for heavily worked engines, with sustained high revs and high cylinder pressure. In 3/8" it takes up to around 250 hp per cylinder and 10,000 rpm, for the most ambitious builds. More sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen, it is stored and fitted oiled. |
| For accurate tightening, it is better to target bolt stretch rather than torque alone: it is the actual preload that matters, independent of friction. The ARP stretch gauge makes this check simple, with the bolt in place. |
| Brand | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | 320is (E30) | S14B20 | 192 hp | 1988–1990 |
OEM reference: 11 24 1 312 557
A rod that lets go on an S14 almost always means replacing the block and cylinder head, on an engine now rare and costly to find. Against that risk, the price of a set of forged rods looks trivial: it is insurance taken out once and for all on an assembly you do not rebuild twice.
The kit arrives complete, balanced and ready to fit, with no extra trip to the workshop. A measured investment to drive with peace of mind and preserve the value of a 320is.
