ARP uprated con rod bolts for BMW M3 E46 Z3M Z4M S54B32

This kit of uprated con rod bolts for the BMW M3 E46, Z3M and Z4M consists of 12 ARP bolts.

The fitting instructions are in the "Download" tab above.

Below (click on the image) you will find the tri-metal big end bearings and main bearings for the BMW S54B32 engine:

Gary Holzapfel came from the aerospace industry and founded ARP (Automotive Racing Products) in the early 1970s to solve a major problem in motorsport: engine failure caused by bolts and studs that were not strong enough. At the time no manufacturer was able to meet that need. Today ARP offers thousands of part numbers across different ranges and product types, including head bolts, main bearing bolts and con rod bolts. Depending on the application, ARP offers several ranges (materials) of fasteners:

• 8740 : this is a chrome-molybdenum steel with standard strength properties, entirely suitable for prepared engines. It offers a tensile strength of between 1240 and 1447 N/mm².
• ARP2000 : stronger than 8740, the ARP2000 alloy withstands clamping and tensile loads of up to 1516 N/mm². This range is widely used on circuit and drag cars and can be used with hydrogen.
• L19 : a premium treated steel offering tensile and fatigue strength properties well above the 8740 and ARP2000 ranges. Its tensile strength reaches up to 1792 N/mm². This material is more prone to corrosion, so it must be kept oiled and away from moisture. Hydrogen is not recommended with this range.
• CA625+ (Custom Age 625 Plus) : this "super alloy" has significantly superior technical properties while resisting corrosion and oxidation. Its tensile strength reaches 1930 N/mm².

All ARP fasteners are designed and manufactured in the United States. Manufacture starts with cold or hot forging, then a heat treatment is applied, which differs with the range, followed by shot peening to remove any irregularities. Precision grinding then gives perfect concentricity before the thread is cut. Finally comes the finish, where a coating is applied, such as black chrome-molybdenum oxide, or the stainless steel is polished, depending on the product range.

Every kit is supplied with an assembly lubricant and an instruction sheet stating:

• The installation steps
• The tightening torque
• The tightening procedure