2.0 16v - F20C
Manufacturers
2.0 16v - F20C
Warning: Last items in stock!
New product
Set of 4 forged 4340 steel connecting rods (146.75 mm centre-to-centre) for the Honda F20C.
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 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.
| Reference | Brand | Profile | Bolts | Pin diameter OEM 23 mm | Small-end width | Big-end diameter OEM 51 mm | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 153 mm | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-HON-014HL | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 146,75 mm | 458 g | |
| R-HON-014HL-L19 | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 146,75 mm | 458 g |
OEM reference: 13050-PCX-000 (set of 4 rods).
| Rod | Bolts | Tightening torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-HON-014HL) | ARP 2000 (3/8") | 61 N·m | 0,140–0,152 mm |
| ZRP (R-HON-014HL-L19) | ARP L19 (3/8") | 67,8 N·m | 0,152–0,165 mm |
| 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. |
![]() | H-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. |
| ARP 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 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. |

| 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. |
![]() | ZRP: 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. |
![]() | 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 |
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.
| Make | Model (chassis) | Engine code | Power | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | S2000 (AP1) | F20C | 240–250 ch | 1999–2009 |
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.
