Rod Bearings and Bolts

[Obioban]

For M10 cars, the stock bolts are cheaper, create a rounder bore if installed with the engine in the car, and have more clamping force than ARP. With FCP, they are free replacements for life after the first set. The torquing procedure probably adds 30 minutes to the total job vs ARP. Stock is the easy choice for me.

[Thoglan]

The M11 bolt is not torque to yield. The angle torque is significantly less than the M10 and is a single procedure instead of multiple. The earlier version of the bolt is not stretched to any measurable margin.

[Arith2]

It makes no sense to risk a catastrophic failure of a few hundred dollars. We're talking about reusing torque to yeild bolts. Where I work, every single angle torqued bolt gets replaced. Period. That's the right way to do it. I'm all about getting a good deal and saving where I can. Just don't do it here. Get it right and be sure it's right. This is one the highest stress points of the engine.

[Dr._Dinan]

Are the ARP 201-6103 Connecting Rod Bold kit the correct ones in the link for a 2004?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079G56GR4#customerReviews (combo)

https://www.amazon.com/ARP-201-6103-...SSJBBXYPYB4140

I always get confused with pre '02 models and the correct bolts (M11 vs. M10) to use for the appropriate year.

[Thoglan]

I wouldn't ever reuse them. The get stretched too. Warranty deemed them to get reused and when the recall didn't apply, they got replaced. It like the "lifetime" fluid in transmissions now. It saves the manufacturer money, screws the customer and the techs. ALWAYS replace rod bolts, studs, or nuts. This is an every car kind of rule, not just specific to BMW.

I was of the same opinion up until very recently. I had my motor rebuilt by a race engine builder who has put together countless S54's for road and race applications since they were new, and is well regarded as the best in NZ. He was very confident the bolts could be reused and that it was even preferable to the ARP bolts as they oval the rod bore and start to create tolerance issues (unless the rod is completely removed from the motor so the bore can be mic'd and the bearing can be sized correctly for the perfect roundness etc etc which in this case is unlikely). As to how many times they can be reused, it's anybody's guess.

[Arith2]

Order the oring for the oil pump pickup tube. Chances are you won't be going back in for a while.

How many times can the m11 be reused?

I wouldn't ever reuse them. The get stretched too. Warranty deemed them to get reused and when the recall didn't apply, they got replaced. It like the "lifetime" fluid in transmissions now. It saves the manufacturer money, screws the customer and the techs. ALWAYS replace rod bolts, studs, or nuts. This is an every car kind of rule, not just specific to BMW.

[Zack]

Awesome info guys! Just ordered the ACL standard bearings!

[Tbonem3]

How many times can the m11 be reused?

[dj1911]

Thanks for all the replies

[mrgizmo04]

Here is the service bulletin https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6y...w?usp=drivesdk

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Mspir3d]

I bought the ACL bearings off Amazon as well for my built bottom end.

[su45]

Where are people finding ACL bearings? Everywhere I look says out of stock.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079G56GR4

[Zack]

Will you be doing ARP?

Wasn't planning on it at this time as the car is street driven, it is a convertible and I want to get into a coupe within a few years as well and the cost is an extra 120 or so.

[DJAM3]

FCP Euro

[dj1911]

Where are people finding ACL bearings? Everywhere I look says out of stock.