BMW S38 Connecting Rod Bolts by ARP

Upgrade your BMW S38 engine, as found in the E28 M5 and E34 M5, with ARP Connecting Rod Bolts—the ultimate choice for strength, reliability, and performance. Crafted in the USA by Automotive Racing Products (ARP), these bolts are engineered to surpass OEM rod bolts and deliver unmatched durability in high-performance applications.

Perfect for rebuilds or preparing the engine for performance modifications, ARP rod bolts are built to handle extreme conditions with confidence. Manufactured from premium materials and precision-engineered, they resist stretch and safeguard your engine by keeping the connecting rods securely fastened to the crankshaft, even under high RPMs and intense loads.

Key Benefits:

• Exceptional Strength: Designed to handle higher stress levels, reducing the risk of failure in demanding setups.
• Unmatched Durability: Outstanding fatigue resistance ensures long-lasting performance.
• Perfect Fit: Custom-designed for the BMW S38 engine, ensuring seamless installation in your M5 or other S38-powered vehicle.

Each kit includes precision bolts and ARP’s trusted assembly lubricant for proper installation. Follow ARP’s torque specifications for optimal results.

Installation Instructions:

1. Ensure there is an adequate chamfer around the bolt hole on the connecting rod bolt hole on the connecting rod cap to clear the radius under the head of the bolt
2. Use ARP Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant to lubricate the threads of the bolt and the under head of the bolt. Then install the bolts and tighten them them hand tight. 
3. ARP recommends using the Stretch Method when tightening rod bolts. Following the instructions for using a stretch gauge, stretch the bolts to 0.0065 - 0.0070. 
4. If you do not have a stretch gauge, torque the bolts to 70 ft-lbs using ARP Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant.
5. The connecting rods should always be re-sized after new rod bolts are installed. 
6. A log should be kept on the original non-torqued length of each bolt. Bolts that have any permanent deformation or have increased in non-torqued length by more than 0.001 inch should be replaced. 

BMW S38B35 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1985-1987     E28     M5 [European Market]
1987-1988     E28     M5 [American Market]

BMW 6 Series

1984-1989     E24     M635CSi [European Market]
1987-1989     E24     M6 [American Market]

BMW S38B36 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1988-1992     E34     M5

BMW S38B38 Applications:

BMW 5 Series

1992-1995     E34     M5 [European Market]