The I-Beam “Heavy Duty” series connecting rods for Ford 2.3L EcoBoost are designed for high horsepower and boost applications. Constructed from premium 4340 high tensile steel, these rods feature a specially optimized shape for enhanced performance and durability. The “straight cut” pin end increases durability and is intended for use with aftermarket pistons. The bushings are made from AMPCO 18 material, providing excellent wear and fatigue resistance, and include radial grooves that act as an oil reservoir. Each rod undergoes shot peening to relieve stress and is multi-stage heat treated to enhance rigidity. Tight tolerances in production ensure a precise fit while optimizing oil clearances, with controlled bend and twist. Each rod is equipped with ARP 2000 cap fasteners rated at 220,000 psi, with optional ARP L19 material available as an upgrade, rated at 260,000 psi. The kit includes ARP moly and comprehensive fitting instructions.

Additional Machining Processes

• “Straight Cut” Pin End – Suitable for aftermarket pistons
• Dowel sleeves for perfect fit and accurate re-assembling
• Lipped Cap Relief for improved big-end integrity in extreme applications
• Grooves in Thrust Face for weight reduction

Technical Features of ZRP Connecting Rods

• I-Beam shape for extra rigidity
• Two-piece forging for enhanced strength
• Shot peening for improved fatigue life
• Magnaflux inspection ensures the forged material meets high-quality standards
• Double ribbed caps for added support
• Multi-stage heat treatment for maximum strength, dimensional stability, and fatigue life
• CNC machining for superior tolerances, precise to 0.0002″
• Center-to-center maintained under .001″ tolerance
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for computer-generated stress analysis of connecting rods
• Optimal balancing for weight-matched sets of ± 1 gram