King XP pMaxBlack Rod Bearing Set | 42 mm (1986-89 MR2 / 1987-91 Corolla)

King XP pMaxBlack Connecting Rod Bearing Set

For 1986–1989 Toyota MR2 AW11 and 1987–1991 Toyota Corolla AE92 coupe equipped with 4A-GE / 4A-GZE engines using the 42 mm crankpin / 45 mm rod-housing interface.

Overview

The King XP pMaxBlack Connecting Rod Bearing Set is a performance bearing set for the 4A-GE / 4A-GZE 42 mm crankpin / 45 mm connecting-rod housing family. Applications include 1987–1989 JDM and 1988–1989 U.S.-Market naturally aspirated Toyota MR2 AW11, 1986–1989 JDM and 1988–1989 U.S.-Market supercharged MR2 AW11, 1987–1991 JDM Toyota Corolla AE92 coupes, and the 1988–1991 U.S.-Market Toyota Corolla AE92 GT-S. The 1987 JDM naturally aspirated transition requires the later 42/45 mm assembly; the year alone does not establish fitment. Its copper-lead tri-metal construction and hardened pMaxBlack overlay are designed for demanding, high-load engine use.

Each set contains four matching bearing pairs (eight shells), covering all four connecting rods. Five bearing-size choices accommodate standard-diameter crankpins, measured clearance requirements, and properly reground crankpins. The correct option depends on the actual crankshaft and rod dimensions, not on the vehicle year alone.

Key Features

• King XP copper-lead tri-metal bearings designed for performance engine builds.
• pMaxBlack hardened overlay for high-load bearing service.
• RadiaLock crush-height design supports bearing retention and heat transfer.
• EccentriX bearing geometry supports hydrodynamic lubrication.
• Five bearing-size options for nominal crankpins and two crankshaft undersizes.

Choosing the Correct Bearing Size

Standard clearance is for a nominal-size crankshaft. 0.001 in extra clearance and 0.001 in reduced clearance provide approximately that change in assembled diametral oil clearance on the same nominal crankshaft. 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm crank undersize are for correspondingly reground crankpins, not extra-clearance choices.

The correct size depends on the finished crankshaft journal, rod housing and required assembled oil clearance.

Vehicle Fitment

Every application requires the original-style 42 mm crankpin / 45 mm rod-housing bearing interface, with the correctly selected size and matching bearing geometry.

Toyota MR2 — AW11 / MK1

• 1987–1989: JDM / naturally aspirated 4A-GE with the later 42/45 mm assembly introduced at the September 1987 production change. September transition builds require actual crank/rod identification; the month alone does not establish fitment.
• 1988–1989: U.S.-Market / naturally aspirated 4A-GE
• 1986–1989: JDM Supercharged / 4A-GZE
• 1988–1989: U.S.-Market Supercharged / 4A-GZE

Toyota Corolla / Sprinter — AE92 — Coupe

• 1987–1991: Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno (JDM) / 4A-GE 16V
• 1987–1991: Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno GT-Z (JDM) / 4A-GZE
• 1988–1991: GT-S coupe (U.S.-Market) / 4A-GE 16V

Fitment Notes

• Does not fit original 40 mm crankpin / 43 mm rod-housing assemblies, including original AE86 4A-GE configurations, early AW11 configurations, and 4A-C, 4A-F and 4A-FE configurations. A shared 4A-GE engine name does not establish interchangeability between the two bearing families.
• Clearance and journal size determine the correct option. Toyota numbered factory bearing grades do not map directly to these King clearance choices.
• 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm undersize bearings are for correspondingly reground crankshaft journals; they are not a solution for an oversized connecting-rod housing.
• Modified engines and aftermarket connecting rods require matching bearing seats, locating tabs, oil-hole position, bearing width, crankshaft fillet clearance and assembled oil clearance. Nominal journal diameter alone does not establish fit.

Product Specifications

Brand: King Engine Bearings
Series: XP / pMaxBlack
Product Type: Connecting-Rod Bearing Set
Position: Connecting-Rod Big End
Construction: Copper-Lead Tri-Metal
Overlay: Hardened pMaxBlack
Engine Family: Toyota 4A-GE / 4A-GZE
Bearing Family: Nominal 42 mm Crankpin / 45 mm Rod Housing
Set Quantity: Four Pairs / Eight Bearing Shells

Rod Bearings and Main Bearings

Rod bearings support the connecting rods on the crankpins. The separate ACL Race Series standard-size main bearings support the crankshaft in a standard-size main-journal assembly. Rod-bearing clearance or undersize does not determine the required main-bearing size.

Available Configurations

Every option includes (4) matched pairs of connecting-rod bearings (8 shells total).

Bearing Size

• Nominal crank — Standard clearance
• Nominal crank — 0.001 in extra clearance
• Nominal crank — 0.001 in reduced clearance
• 0.25 mm crank undersize
• 0.50 mm crank undersize

Not included: Main bearings, thrust washers, connecting rods, crankshaft, rod bolts and gaskets.