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1.8L 20VT
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1.8L 20VT
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Set of 4 ZRP forged rods for the Audi Volkswagen 1.8T 20V EA113, in 4340 steel.
+ H profile, ARP 2000 or L19 bolts
+ Weight-matched set
+ Strengthens turbo builds
+ Complete set of 4
The 1.8T 20V from the EA113 family is a turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine with five valves per cylinder (20 valves), displacing 1,781 cc (81 mm bore, 86.4 mm stroke). Introduced as early as 1995 on the Audi A4 B5, it powered a huge range of Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Škoda models for over a decade, in both longitudinal (A4, A6, Passat) and transverse (Golf IV, Bora, A3 8L, TT, Leon, Octavia) layouts. Rated from 150 to 225 hp depending on turbo (K03, K04) and mapping, it became one of the most popular tuning bases in Europe.
That tuning reputation has a flip side: as soon as boost and torque are raised, the stock rods become the preferred failure point of the bottom end. Switching to forged rods is the key investment to turn a 1.8T 20V into a reliable high-power unit. The version offered here is a long rod (147.2 mm center-to-center, i.e. +3.2 mm over the 144 mm stock length), which improves the rod/stroke ratio and reduces piston side-thrust on the most advanced builds.
Our forged 1.8T 20V EA113 rods are machined from wrought 4340 steel, the absolute benchmark in motorsport. Offered in the H profile, they suit every discipline – circuit, drift, rally, drag, time attack, hillclimb – and work equally well on a strong fast-road build or a full competition engine. Depending on the target (Stage 2, Stage 3 high power, Stage 4 and beyond), they lock in the torque increase without ever cutting corners on reliability. Supplied as a weight-matched set of 4, these are long rods with a 147.2 mm center-to-center length keeping the 20 mm piston pin.
Against a factory rod sized above all for production cost, a forged 4340 rod offers a far greater mechanical reserve: around +19% yield strength, +8% tensile strength and +19 to +37% fatigue endurance. That margin lets the 1.8T 20V absorb cylinder-pressure peaks and inertia loads without breakage. The H profile concentrates material on two flat sides, giving it high stiffness in the loaded plane – ideal for high-torque engines.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Rod bolts | Pin bore (mm) | Small-end width (mm) | Big-end bore (mm) | Big-end width (mm) | Center-to-center (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-AUD-005HL | ZRP | H | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 20 | 50,6 | 24,89 | 147,2 | 474 |
The torque and stretch relate to the ARP bolts supplied with the kit (ARP 2000 or ARP L19); refer to the technical sheet provided. Checking with a stretch gauge remains the most reliable and repeatable method to guarantee preload.
| Reference | Brand | Rod bolts | Max torque (no gauge) | Stretch (gauge check) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-AUD-005HL | ZRP | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 61 | 0.140 to 0.152 |
| R-AUD-005HL-L19 | ZRP | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 67.8 | 0.152 to 0.165 |
| 4340 is a low-alloy steel with nickel, chromium and molybdenum. Forging aligns the metal fibres in the direction of load, closes internal porosity and delivers far greater strength than a factory cast or sintered rod. The result is a tensile strength of around 930 to 1,080 MPa together with high fatigue endurance – essential as soon as the engine gains torque, power or revs. This is the material used across our entire EA113 range. |
 | The H profile (ZRP) has an H-shaped section with two flat sides that maximise stiffness in the bending plane. It is the profile of choice for high-torque, high-boost engines such as a built 1.8T 20V. Machined from forged 4340 steel and weighing 474 g, it favours robustness while staying weight-matched across the set; supplied with your choice of ARP 2000 or ARP L19 bolts in 3/8". |
 | ARP 2000: the all-round benchmark alloy, with a tensile strength of about 220,000 psi (1,517 MPa). Offered here in 3/8", it covers the vast majority of 1.8T 20V builds, from raised boost to high power. It is the default choice to make the bottom end reliable for good. |
 | ARP L19: a very high strength steel (about 260,000 psi / 1,793 MPa), reserved for extreme builds developing the highest torque and rpm. More sensitive to corrosion, it demands extra care on assembly and targets competition engines seeking the ultimate preload margin. |
| The most reliable way to guarantee bolt preload is not to aim for a torque figure but to measure bolt stretch with a dial gauge. Tighten progressively until the recommended stretch is reached – 0.140 to 0.152 mm for ARP 2000, 0.152 to 0.165 mm for ARP L19 – ensuring an even, repeatable clamp load, cylinder after cylinder. |
 | This EA113 range is made by ZRP, a manufacturer of high-performance race forged rods. It is offered in the H profile, machined from 4340 steel and supplied with your choice of ARP 2000 or ARP L19 bolts in 3/8". Each reference ships as a complete weight-matched set of 4, with its dedicated ARP bolts. |
 | 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 |
| Make | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | A3 (8L) | AGU | 150 hp | 1996–2003 |
| Audi | A3 (8L) S3 quattro | APY, AMK | 210 hp | 1999–2002 |
| Audi | A3 (8L) S3 quattro | BAM | 224 hp | 2001–2003 |
| Audi | A4 (B5) / quattro | AEB, ANB | 150 hp | 1995–2001 |
| Audi | A4 (B5) quattro | AWM | 170 hp | 2000–2001 |
| Audi | A4 (B6) / quattro | AWM | 170–173 hp | 2001–2004 |
| Audi | A6 (C5) / quattro | AEB, ANB | 150 hp | 1997–2005 |
| Audi | TT (8N) quattro | APX, BAM | 224 hp | 1998–2006 |
| SEAT | Leon (1M) Cupra R | AMK | 209 hp | 2002–2006 |
| SEAT | Leon (1M) Cupra R | BAM | 225 hp | 2003–2006 |
| Škoda | Octavia I (1U) | AGU | 150 hp | 1997–2010 |
| Volkswagen | Bora (1J) | AGU | 150 hp | 2000–2005 |
| Volkswagen | Golf IV (1J) GTI | AGU | 150 hp | 1997–2005 |
| Volkswagen | New Beetle (9C) / Cabriolet | AVC, AWU, AGU | 150 hp | 1999–2010 |
| Volkswagen | Passat (B5) | AEB, ANB | 150 hp | 1996–2000 |
| Volkswagen | Passat (B5.5) | AWM | 170 hp | 2001–2005 |
| Donkervoort | D8 1.8 T | AGU | 150 hp | 1999–2012 |
On a tuned 1.8T 20V, a stock rod that lets go usually takes the block, crankshaft and pistons with it. Investing in a forged rod set from the outset costs far less than an engine failure followed by a full rebuild. You permanently strengthen the bottom end, preserve the value of your build and drive with peace of mind, in intensive use as much as day to day.
