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Reduced price! Bielles forgées ZRP HONDA S2000 Vtec 2.0 16V F20C 241CV 1999-2009 View larger

Forged connecting rods Honda F20C 2.0 16V VTEC 146.75 mm centre-to-centre (S2000 AP1) for forged pistons

New product

Set of 4 forged 4340 steel connecting rods (146.75 mm centre-to-centre) for the Honda F20C.

  • Brand: ZRP, H-Lite profile
  • Fitment: Honda S2000 (AP1)
  • Engine code: F20C
  • Bolts included: ARP 2000 or L19

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476,86 € tax incl.

-26%

644,40 € tax incl.

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  • The Honda F20C engine

    Built for the first-generation Honda S2000 (AP1) sold from 1999 to 2009, the F20C is a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engineered for sustained high revs. Its DOHC 16-valve twin-cam layout with VTEC combines an 87 mm bore with a deliberately short 84 mm stroke, for a displacement of 1,997 cc. That geometry rewards revs: the red line sits around 8,800 to 9,000 rpm and output ranges from 240 to 250 hp depending on the market (240 hp for the F20C, up to 250 hp on the Japanese F20C3), one of the highest specific outputs ever achieved by a mass-produced naturally aspirated engine. Its aluminium block, steel crankshaft and integrated liners give it a healthy tuning base, provided the rotating assembly is strengthened as power and rpm rise, which the shortened 146.75 mm centre-to-centre rods offered here make possible.

    Forged connecting rods

    Forged from high-tensile 4340 steel, these ZRP rods with a shortened 146.75 mm centre-to-centre length replace the F20C's factory assembly with a far stronger set. They suit every sporting use of the S2000, from circuit and track days to drift, hill climb and time attack, as well as turbo or supercharger conversions. Depending on the chosen bolts, they comfortably support Stage 1 to Stage 3 builds and secure the rotating assembly well beyond stock power levels, while preserving factory balance thanks to tightly controlled dimensions.

    Technical specifications of the F20C forged rods

    ReferenceBrandProfileBoltsPin diameter
    OEM 23 mm
    Small-end widthBig-end diameter
    OEM 51 mm
    Big-end widthCenter-to-center
    OEM 153 mm
    Weight
    R-HON-014HLZRPH-LiteARP 2000-3/8"-38mm23 mm51 mm23,85 mm146,75 mm458 g
    R-HON-014HL-L19ZRPH-LiteARP L19-3/8"-38mm23 mm51 mm23,85 mm146,75 mm458 g

    OEM reference: 13050-PCX-000 (set of 4 rods).

    Tightening torque and stretch

    RodBoltsTightening torqueRecommended stretch
    ZRP (R-HON-014HL)ARP 2000 (3/8")61 N·m0,140–0,152 mm
    ZRP (R-HON-014HL-L19)ARP L19 (3/8")67,8 N·m0,152–0,165 mm

    Technical guide

    4340 forged steel: what is it?

    4340 is a low-alloy nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel prized for its outstanding balance of strength and toughness. Once forged and heat-treated, it reaches a tensile strength of around 1,000 to 1,200 MPa, far above the sintered (powder-metal) steels used in OEM rods, which top out near 600 to 700 MPa and cope poorly with the alternating loads of a performance build. Forging aligns the metal grain flow with the stress paths: the part resists fatigue, high rpm and occasional detonation better. It is the reference material for a reliable reinforced rotating assembly.

    Rod profiles

    Profil H-LiteH-Lite profile: a lightened version of the H-beam, designed for high-revving naturally aspirated engines like the F20C. The H section combines strong bending stiffness with controlled mass, reduces reciprocating loads and helps the engine spin up. It is the profile of choice for a track or time-attack S2000.

    How to choose your rod bolts? ARP

    ARP 2000ARP 2000: the reference bolt for the vast majority of builds. Made from an alloy heat-treated to about 220,000 psi (1,517 MPa) tensile strength, the 3/8" ARP 2000 bolt easily handles close to 200 hp per cylinder and rpm up to 8,500. It covers most tuned S2000s, from aggressive naturally aspirated to modest turbo, with an unbeatable reliability-to-price ratio.
    ARP L19ARP L19: a step up for extreme builds. This high-performance alloy reaches about 260,000 psi (1,793 MPa) and allows up to roughly 250 hp per cylinder, for big turbos and engines pushed to very high rpm. The L19 bolt is more sensitive to corrosion and demands careful assembly and dry storage: reserve it for setups that truly need it.

    Measuring bolt stretch

    Mesure allongement

    On premium ARP bolts, torque tightening can be replaced or checked by measuring bolt stretch, a far more accurate method because it directly monitors the real tension in the bolt, independent of friction. The stretch gauge sits between the two ends of the bolt; you tighten until the recommended stretch is reached (see the table above). This is the method ARP recommends for a competition assembly.

    See the ARP stretch gauge

    The brands offered

    ZRPZRP: forged rods designed by Alex Drakos (Athens), known for forging quality, finish and an excellent performance-to-price ratio. The ZRP range covers the main tuning engines with controlled dimensions and rigorous quality control, in H and I profiles depending on use. For the F20C, the H-Lite profile chosen here favours light weight and high-rpm strength.

    Glossary

    1) Small end
    2) Small-end diameter
    3) Rod beam
    4) Rod bolt
    5) Big end
    6) Rod nut / bolt
    7) Rod cap
    8) Big-end diameter
    9) Center-to-center

    Vehicle compatibility for the Honda F20C engine

    These forged rods are designed for the Honda F20C (F20C) engine fitted to the second-generation Honda S2000. Always check your vehicle's exact engine code before ordering.

    MakeModel (chassis)Engine codePowerYears
    HondaS2000 (AP1)F20C240–250 ch1999–2009

    Why is it the most cost-effective solution?

    When an engine throws a stock rod at high rpm or under heavy load, the damage often spreads to the block, crankshaft and cylinder head: the bill far exceeds the price of a set of forged rods. Fitting reinforced rods from the start of a build means investing once to secure the rotating assembly for good and drive with peace of mind, on track as on the open road. Unlike a stock rod pushed beyond its range, the 4340 forged rod keeps a comfortable safety margin and extends the life of the moving assembly. Over time, it is the most rational and cost-effective choice for a tuned F20C.

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