S2 Rod Bolt Replacement Advice

[Parzival_944]

Hi all,

I've got the engine out of my S2 for a general refresh and replacing seals and gaskets, as I need to replace the sump gasket I decided I'd consider refreshing at least the rod bearings. However, I have come across a lot of conflicting info about rod bolts/nuts I need some advice on.
Looking in the Porsche workshop manual it only has a torque value for the nuts and that they should be replaced but doesn't mention anything about the bolts? I've read up and down that you should or shouldn't replace them, and if you do you need the rods machined to match the bolts. I want to do this right but I really don't want to pull the whole engine apart to machine anything as a full rebuild was not really in scope...
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Eldavo]

I replaced the rod bearings on one of my 2.5 8v engines years ago and reused the nuts and bolts. Ran it for years including several track days with no ill effects.

If you’re really concerned you could pony up for a set of ARP nuts and bolts and they’ll drop straight in..

Personally, I’d stick a set of ACL rod bearings in and reuse the nuts and bolts.