As the leader in high performance engine products for the Volkswagen Automotive Group, APR is capable of creating horsepower and torque levels outside of the original equipment’s stress tolerances. In such cases, it’s highly recommended and in some cases necessary to upgrade additional engine components to cope with the increased load. APR’s Connecting Rods raise the engine’s stress tolerance levels to provide years of continued reliable operation without compromise.

APR’s proprietary connecting rods feature premium, certified USA-Made 4330 alloy, chosen for its lightweight and high-strength properties compared to 4340 or other inferior alloys sourced from undisclosed locations around the world. To ensure the highest level of quality control, the entire process from initial design to finished product, including materials, forging, treating and 100% CNC machining all take place in the USA. APR only uses strict manufacturing guidelines in some of the finest manufacturing facilities in the industry to deliver unmatched quality and integrity with each rod produced.

Mahle Motorsport VP2 Rod Bearings

When upgrading connecting rods, it’s necessary to replace the existing connecting rod bearings. APR recommends using Mahle Motorsport VP2 rod bearings for their superior strength and wear resistance properties and attention to detail over the similarly priced OEM bearings.

Each bearing is capable of taking abuse in the magnitude of 14,500 psi while still offering superior conformability and fatigue resistance not commonly seen elsewhere in the market. This is partially due to the bearing’s high-grade hardened steel backing with bronze substrate and lead/indium overlay. Laser etched part numbers rather than typical stampings aid in significantly improved heat transfer and prevention of shell distortion. Formula 1 standards dictate extremely high tolerances, while Mahle’s attention to detail and chose of fine materials ensure worry free operation.