I-Beam Connecting Rods, 5.394 Long, VW Journal

OVERVIEW

When building a high-performance air-cooled engine, the connecting rods are the backbone of your rotating assembly, and these EMPI I-Beam rods are designed to handle the increased stresses that stock rods simply cannot manage. Forged from high-quality 4140 chromoly, these rods offer a massive strength advantage over original equipment while maintaining the classic O.E. design profile to ensure ease of installation and compatibility with standard components. Whether you are refreshing a stout 1600cc street engine or building a high-revving 1914cc weekend warrior, these rods provide the structural integrity needed to prevent rod failure, which is often the death knell for an expensive engine build. By utilizing a forged manufacturing process rather than a cast one, the grain flow of the metal is optimized, providing superior resistance to fatigue and stretching under high RPM loads.

Beyond just the raw material strength, these EMPI I-Beam rods come equipped with heavy-duty 3/8-inch rod bolts that boast a 200,000 psi tensile load rating, ensuring that your rod caps stay exactly where they belong even under extreme cylinder pressures. At the standard 5.394-inch length with a VW journal, these are a "drop-in" performance upgrade for most standard stroke applications, saving you the time and hassle of extensive clearancing required by some H-beam designs. Each set is precision-engineered to provide a balanced rotating mass, which translates to a smoother-running engine and reduced wear on your main bearings. When you choose these chromoly I-beams, you aren''t just buying a part; you are investing in the long-term durability and performance of your Volkswagen''s heart, backed by the reputation of EMPI and the expertise of Appletree Auto.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle/Bug: 1954 - 1979
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus/Transporter: 1954 - 1971 (With Type 1 based engines)
• Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback, Squareback, Notchback: 1961 - 1973
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1955 - 1974
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973 - 1974
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing VW Type 1 engine cases.

SPECS

• Material: Forged 4140 Chromoly Steel
• Rod Length: 5.394 Inches (Standard VW Length)
• Crankshaft Journal: VW Journal (Standard 2.165'')
• Wrist Pin Diameter: 22mm
• Bolt Size: 3/8 Inch High-Tensile
• Tensile Strength: 200,000 PSI
• Design: I-Beam (O.E. Style Profile for better clearance)
• Weight: Sold as a balanced set of 4
• Part Number: 00-8340-0

PRO TIPS

Tip 1: Proper Torque and Lubrication

Always use a high-quality assembly lubricant or molybdenum grease on the threads and under the heads of the rod bolts during final