Rod Bearing brand options? - OEM, ACL, VAC, BE, King Race

[GeorgeBeirut]

Found this ACL 2020 brochure where they partnered with Calico Coatings for their bearings. On their Engine application list they have many different engines except S54 where I presume that VAC had made an exclusive deal for S54 engines?

[Arith2]

Found this ACL 2020 brochure where they partnered with Calico Coatings for their bearings. On their Engine application list they have many different engines except S54 where I presume that VAC had made an exclusive deal for S54 engines?

On the box it did mention that the ACL bearing are still coated so maybe it's just not the CT-1 coating that VAC has them doing.

[JamesSJ1]

I went with ACL because Lang Racing and Rogue Engineering both recommended them

^^^ This is exactly why I chose ACL too.

[fattycharged]

Found this ACL 2020 brochure where they partnered with Calico Coatings for their bearings. On their Engine application list they have many different engines except S54 where I presume that VAC had made an exclusive deal for S54 engines?

Was it ever confirmed that VAC was just selling coated ACL bearings and charging close to $500 for them?

[tlow98]

They’re coated with something, that’s for sure. The ones I bought in 2022 were. They do not look like the VAC coating, however.

[fattycharged]

They're coated with something, that's for sure. The ones I bought in 2022 were. They do not look like the VAC coating, however.

ACL doesn't use a flash coating with the standard race, which is why they aren't that consistent coloration. I see they do have a deal with Calico on other shells, but not for this app.


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[Phoenix///M3]

^^^ This is exactly why I chose ACL too.

Same


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[Obioban]

I went with OE on both my S54s, my S85, and shortly my S62.

OE bolts all around, too-- better clamping force, more circular bore, and cheaper than ARP makes that an easy decision.

... and FCP means next time they'll be free.

[WestBankM4]

The last of the big three is for me to complete my rod bearings. I'm almost 100% certain I can do it, but I'm jittery as it'll be my first time and it's a pretty serious engine component. Anyway, I inquired with a shop and they insisted on only installing OEM bearings so I ended up ordering a set. I'm now debating whether I should return these and go with ACL and just do the install myself, save myself quite a few pennies and the fun of wrenching on this thing.

[Will]

The last of the big three is for me to complete my rod bearings. I'm almost 100% certain I can do it, but I'm jittery as it'll be my first time and it's a pretty serious engine component. Anyway, I inquired with a shop and they insisted on only installing OEM bearings so I ended up ordering a set. I'm now debating whether I should return these and go with ACL and just do the install myself, save myself quite a few pennies and the fun of wrenching on this thing.

The apprehension is understandable, but it's less daunting than it seems. Take your time, follow the instructions, and you should be fine. I think if someone's done vanos and valve clearances then they should be sufficiently competent. If someone has replaced their oil pan gasket, then they're basically halfway through the project.

I recommend getting a good torque wrench. The digital type with the built in angles is nice to have and convenient. Like others have mentioned, just double check you have proper clearance with the torque wrench before you actually try to torque the bolt so you can do one smooth motion.

As for which bearings to use, that's personal choice. Seems like people have positive experiences with OE, OE+WPC, and ACL.

Just don't forget to add oil when you're done. 😁

As another reference, the Turner instructions are linked here (link). In addition to the Turner parts listed in their kit, perhaps consider replacing the o-ring on the oil pickup tube (pn: 11-41-1-401-769, part number 9 in the diagram).

[Slideways]

The last of the big three is for me to complete my rod bearings. I'm almost 100% certain I can do it, but I'm jittery as it'll be my first time and it's a pretty serious engine component. Anyway, I inquired with a shop and they insisted on only installing OEM bearings so I ended up ordering a set. I'm now debating whether I should return these and go with ACL and just do the install myself, save myself quite a few pennies and the fun of wrenching on this thing.

You removed and reinstalled the cylinder head. You'll be fine lol.

Bearing wise, the BMW ones are great if you got them from FCP. Hopefully, the quality and tolerances stay consistent, unlike other BMW parts. BE is probably just as good if not better and ACL tolerances are pretty consistent according to the Redish videos. Would like to see someone pull a set of ACLs with 100k on them before installing a set.

[tlow98]

You removed and reinstalled the cylinder head. You'll be fine lol.

Bearing wise, the BMW ones are great if you got them from FCP. Hopefully, the quality and tolerances stay consistent, unlike other BMW parts. BE is probably just as good if not better and ACL tolerances are pretty consistent according to the Redish videos. Would like to see someone pull a set of ACLs with 100k on them before installing a set.

My ACL rod bearings were unbelievably perfect from a sizing (dead center BMW tolerance) and consistency (all 6 indistinguishable) standpoint. Unfortunately, I chose to not use their main bearings bc they don’t offer multiple sizes (like OE does) and I couldn’t match the sizing on my crank mains to within BMW spec.