RTMG Performance Block Brace for Increased Strength - 2.0 TFSI EA113 Engines without Oil Pump Kit

Reinforcement Plate for Engine Block - 2.0 TFSI EA113

Why do we install a steel plate and how does it improve the block's strength?

The steel plate, unlike a simple iron plate, is characterized by its high strength and hardness of 30 HRC. This makes it one of the best materials available for use under high pressure. In high-performance applications, the crankshaft is subjected to the intense impact forces of large explosions during combustion. These forces, transmitted through the piston, connecting rod, and crankshaft, exert considerable strain on the main bearing caps and their securing bolts.

Our kit offers an innovative solution: additional reinforcement for the main bearing caps, reducing stress on the crankshaft cap bolts. The benefits are significant under high loads, as the plate is bolted externally to the engine block. This configuration helps to uniformly distribute stress among the central main bearing cap bolts.
For example, if a pressure of 1000 N is applied to a crankshaft journal during combustion, this pressure would traditionally stress the four factory bolts on the two bearing caps, resulting in 1000 N / 4 = 250 N per bolt. With our plate, the pressure is distributed among twice as many bolts, reducing the load to approximately 1000 N / 8 = 125 N per bolt. This is achieved by utilizing the perimeter of the block as additional support.

Key advantages:

Reduced bolt stress: Lower bolt stress minimizes elongation, preventing crankshaft deformation and protecting the main bearings. Increased safety: In the event of engine failure, the plate retains the crankshaft, preventing oil leaks onto the vehicle's wheels, which could lead to catastrophic accidents. Optimal material selection: The spacers between the plate and the journals are made of chromoly, with a superior strength of 1000 kPa. The bolts used are ARP, much stronger than factory bolts and among the best on the market. Installation considerations:

For some EA113 engines with cast main bearing caps, it may be necessary to machine the caps on the side where the spacers will seat. This ensures maximum benefit from the plate and uniformly distributed pressure on the caps. Our spacers are designed with an extended length to accommodate all types of EA113 engines (e.g., BWA, CDL, AXX, etc.). Once the central caps are tightened, the plate should have a clearance of 0.04-0.06 mm from the block's perimeter. This preload improves the assembly's rigidity. Precision machining ensures the steel plate is perfectly flat for optimal fit. Additional modifications:

Since the pressure plate has a thickness of 10 mm, a longer oil pump chain (+2 links) is required. The kit includes the option for a larger chain. To solve common problems like the factory oil pump jamming at high RPMs, this rigidity improvement is often combined with a higher capacity oil pump, available as part of our kit. Welcome to the next generation of high-quality performance upgrades from RTMG PERFORMANCE.