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Forged connecting rods Citroën / Peugeot - 1.6L 16V - TU5J4 / TU5JP4 18 mm pin for forged pistons

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Set of 4 forged 4340 steel connecting rods for Citroën / Peugeot 1.6L 16V TU5J4 / TU5JP4 (18 mm pin).

  • Brand: ZRP
  • Fitments: 106 S16, 206 S16, Saxo VTS
  • Engine codes: TU5J4, TU5JP4
  • Hardware included: ARP 2000 or L19

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476,86 € tax incl.

-26%

644,40 € tax incl.

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  • The Citroën / Peugeot TU5J4 / TU5JP4 engine

    The TU5J4 and its TU5JP4 derivative make up PSA's family of 1.6-litre 16-valve four-cylinder sports engines. Naturally aspirated, it has a 78.5 mm bore and an 82 mm stroke (1,587 cc) and was produced from 1995 to 2007. Its multi-valve cylinder head and compact architecture give it a reputation as a lively, free-revving engine.

    It powers the group's sportiest versions: Peugeot 106 S16 and 206 S16, Citroën Saxo VTS and C2 VTS. These light hatchbacks built the TU5's reputation in rallying, on track and in hillclimbing. Very responsive to tuning (intake, exhaust, camshafts, even forced induction), it quickly pushes the original rod to its limit as soon as power, engine speed or cylinder pressure rise.

    Forged connecting rods

    Machined from high-strength 4340 steel, these forged connecting rods secure the bottom end as soon as power increases. They become essential when fitting forged pistons, raising the rev limit, increasing boost pressure or gaining displacement, all cases where the factory rod reaches its limits.

    Designed to absorb the heavy loads of tuned engines (highly tuned naturally aspirated as well as forced-induction), they cover every discipline (rallying, drift, drag, circuit, hillclimb, time attack) and support Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4+ builds, up to the full competition engine.

    Technical specifications of the TU5J4 / TU5JP4 forged connecting rods (18 mm pin)

    ReferenceBrandProfileBoltsPin diameter
    OEM 18 mm
    Small-end widthBig-end diameter
    OEM 48.66 mm
    Big-end widthCenter-to-center
    OEM 133.6 mm
    Weight
    per rod
    R-PEU-001HZRPHARP 2000-3/8"-38mm18 mm48.66 mm23.91 mm133,6 mm461 g
    R-PEU-001H-L19ZRPHARP L19-3/8"-38mm18 mm48.66 mm23.91 mm133,6 mm461 g

    Torque and bolt stretch

    RodBoltsTorqueRecommended stretch
    ZRP (R-PEU-001H)ARP 200061 N·m0.140 – 0.152 mm
    ZRP (R-PEU-001H-L19)ARP L1967.8 N·m0.152 – 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.

    Technical guide

    4340 forged steel: what is it?

    4340 steel is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel used in both aerospace and motorsport. Forged then heat-treated (quenched and tempered), it combines high tensile strength, excellent fatigue life and real ductility. Compared with a factory rod (often made of sintered metal, optimised for mass-production cost), a 4340 forged rod gains roughly +19% yield strength, +8% tensile strength and above all +19 to +37% fatigue strength, i.e. a service life under cyclic loading several times longer. This is exactly what makes forged 4340 the reference material as soon as engine speed and load rise.

    Connecting rod profiles

    H-Beam profile. The H section offers great rigidity and excellent resistance to bending and compression: a robust profile suited to torque- and reliability-oriented engines.

    How to choose your rod bolts?Logo ARP

    The rod bolt is one of the most heavily stressed parts of the engine. The key is to match the ARP grade to the real use of the build, then to strictly follow the specified assembly torque and stretch.

    Vis de bielle forgée ARP2000ARP 2000 (tensile strength around 220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa) is the high-performance standard. It covers builds up to 150 hp per cylinder in 5/16" or 200 hp per cylinder in 3/8", and up to 8,500 rpm. It is the most common grade in circuit, trackday, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb, valued for its strength, reliability and versatility, with no particular storage constraints.
    Vis de bielle forgée ARP L19ARP L19 (tensile strength around 260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa) targets engines pushed to the extreme: up to 200 hp per cylinder in 5/16" or 250 hp per cylinder in 3/8", and up to 10,000 rpm, under very high boost pressure, sustained high revs and high cylinder pressure. It is the choice for big-power builds: drag, drift, rally and circuit. Sensitive to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, it must be stored and fitted oiled, away from moisture.

    Measuring bolt stretch

    Mesure de l'allongement d'une vis de bielle forgée à la jauge ARP

    Beyond torque tightening, measuring rod-bolt stretch remains the most reliable check for achieving correct preload. The measurement is taken with the bolt fitted: place the dial gauge (stretch gauge) on both 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 to torque tightening and secures the assembly on heavily stressed engines.

    Buy the ARP stretch gauge →

    The brands offered

    ZRP is 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. On this TU5 application they are offered in H or I profile with ARP 2000 or L19 hardware, designed and inspected in Greece, and proven in rallying, on circuit and in drift.

    Glossary

    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

    Vehicle compatibility for the Citroën / Peugeot TU5J4 / TU5JP4 engine

    These forged connecting rods are compatible with all vehicles fitted with the 1.6 16V TU5J4 / TU5JP4 engine. The table below lists the Citroën and Peugeot models concerned.

    BrandModel (chassis)Engine codePowerYears
    CitroënSaxo VTSTU5J4118 hp1996–2003
    CitroënC2 VTSTU5JP4S122 hp2004–2009
    CitroënC2 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2003–2010
    CitroënC3 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2002–2010
    CitroënC4 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2004–2011
    CitroënXsara 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2000–2005
    Peugeot106 S16TU5J4120 hp1996–2004
    Peugeot206 S16TU5JP4109 hp2000–2009
    Peugeot207 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2006–2013
    Peugeot307 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2000–2009
    Peugeot308 1.6 16VTU5JP4109 hp2008–2014

    OEM reference: 0603 86 (set of 4 rods).

    Why it’s the most cost-effective solution?

    When a factory bottom end fails (broken, bent or scored rod), going back to the OEM configuration means replacing rods and pistons, often damaged together. The bill climbs quickly, for a mere return to standard with no gain.

    For a comparable, sometimes lower budget, fitting 4340 forged connecting rods together with forged pistons brings far greater reliability and a wider safety margin, plus real power-upgrade potential. It is the route chosen by European engine builders for over fifteen years.

    For the same outlay: more reliability, more potential, more longevity.

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