2.2 16v - F22C
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2.2 16v - F22C
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Set of 4 forged connecting rods in 4340 steel for the Honda 2.2L 16V VTEC F22C.
The Honda F22C (full designation F22C1) is the naturally aspirated 2.2-litre four-cylinder fitted to the second-generation Honda S2000 (AP2), sold from 2003 to 2009. It carries over the F20C architecture — aluminium block, DOHC 16-valve cylinder head and VTEC valve timing — but gains capacity: the bore stays at 87 mm while the stroke grows from 84 to 90.7 mm, taking the engine to 2,157 cc. That extra stroke moves torque towards the low and mid range and makes the car more flexible in everyday use, without erasing the top-end character the S2000 is known for.
In this form the F22C is quoted at 239 to 243 hp depending on the market and still revs happily beyond 8,000 rpm. The aluminium block with integrated liners and the steel crankshaft make it a sound basis for engine building, but the standard rotating assembly was sized for a mass-produced naturally aspirated engine: as soon as a supercharger or a turbo is added, the working rev range is widened or forged pistons are fitted, the connecting rod becomes the weak link. That is exactly where a set of forged rods pays for itself.
Machined from high-strength 4340 steel, these ZRP forged rods replace the F22C 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 n.p. | Big-end width | Center-to-center OEM 149,65 mm | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-HON-015HL | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP 2000-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 149,65 mm | 456 g | |
| R-HON-015HL-L19 | ZRP | H-Lite | ARP L19-3/8"-38mm | 23 mm | 51 mm | 23,85 mm | 149,65 mm | 456 g |
OEM reference: 13050-PZX-A00 (set of 4 rods).
| Rod | Bolts | Torque | Recommended stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZRP (R-HON-015HL) | ARP 2000 (3/8") | 61 N·m | 0,140–0,152 mm |
| ZRP (R-HON-015HL-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, tailored to high-revving naturally aspirated engines like the F22C. The H section offers excellent bending stiffness for a controlled weight, reducing reciprocating mass and helping the engine rev. It is the ideal profile for a circuit- or time-attack-focused S2000, where light weight and high-rpm strength matter most. |
| ARP 2000 is a wrought low-alloy steel, through-hardened, with tensile strength settling around 220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa. Rolling the threads after heat treatment work-hardens the thread root and gives excellent cyclic fatigue endurance; its composition makes it indifferent to ambient humidity, with no storage precaution. The grade is rated up to 200 hp per cylinder in 3/8" and up to 8,500 rpm: it is the most common in circuit racing, trackdays, drift, rally, drag and hillclimb. On this F22C it equips the 456 g ZRP H-Lite rod in 3/8"-38 mm. | |
![]() | L19 is obtained with a richer alloy and a tighter heat treatment: tensile strength reaches about 260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa, for 250 hp per cylinder in 3/8" and up to 10,000 rpm. It addresses very high boost pressure, sustained high engine speeds and high cylinder pressure, which makes it the big-power grade in drag, drift, rally and circuit, a logical choice on an F22C that revs hard. Its metallurgy comes with a constraint: sensitive to corrosion and to hydrogen embrittlement, L19 is stored and fitted oiled, away from moisture. |

| 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 F22C, 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 F22C (F22C1) 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 (AP2) | F22C1 | 239–243 ch | 2003–2009 |
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 F22C.
