2.0 16v - F20C
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2.0 16v - F20C
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Kit of 4 forged connecting rods in 4340 steel for the Honda F20C 2.0 16V VTEC.
The Honda F20C (engine code F20C) is the high-revving 2.0 naturally aspirated four-cylinder that powers the first-generation Honda S2000 (AP1), built from 1999 to 2009. A DOHC 16-valve twin-cam design with VTEC, it pairs an 87 mm bore with a short 84 mm stroke for 1,997 cc. This layout favours revs: the red line approaches 8,800 to 9,000 rpm and the engine produces 240 to 250 hp depending on market (240 hp for the F20C, up to 250 hp on the Japanese F20C3), one of the highest specific outputs of its era for a production naturally aspirated engine. An aluminium block, steel crankshaft and integrated liners make a solid tuning base, provided the rotating assembly is reinforced as power and rpm climb.
Machined from high-strength 4340 steel, these ZRP forged rods replace the F20C factory rods as soon as tuning exceeds stock territory. Where the OEM rod reaches its limits under turbo compression or aggressive naturally aspirated builds, closed-die forging delivers far superior fatigue and bending resistance. They suit every sporting use of the S2000: circuit and track days, drift, hillclimb, time attack, as well as turbo or supercharger conversions. Depending on the chosen bolts, they support Stage 1 to Stage 3 builds without reservation and secure the rotating assembly well beyond the original power level, 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-006HL | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 503 g | |
| R-HON-006HL-L19 | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 503 g | |
| R-HON-006-I | ZRP | I-HD | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 625 g | |
| R-HON-006-I-L19 | ZRP | I-HD | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 625 g | |
| R-HON-006-IL | ZRP | I-Lite | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 564 g | |
| R-HON-006-IL-L19 | ZRP | I-Lite | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 153 mm | 564 g |
OEM reference: 13050-PCX-000 (set of 4 rods).
| Rod | Bolts | Tightening torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-HON-006HL) | ARP 2000 (3/8") | 61 N·m | 0,140–0,152 mm |
| ZRP (R-HON-006HL-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. |
![]() | I-HD profile (I-beam Heavy Duty): a reinforced I-section built to take the high loads of an aggressive build. Heavier than the H profile, it offers maximum compressive strength and suits hard-working F20C engines, especially when a turbo or supercharger raises in-cylinder pressure. |
![]() | I-Lite profile: a lightened version of the I-section that keeps the beam's robustness while lowering reciprocating mass. Ideal for a built naturally aspirated F20C aiming to rev high without giving up the safety margin. |
| 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.
