Forged connecting rods Honda - 1.6L 16V VTEC - B16A for forged pistons

The Honda B16A engine

The Honda B16A is an inline four-cylinder 1.6 L 16-valve engine with twin overhead camshafts (DOHC) and variable VTEC timing. Naturally aspirated, it displaces 1,595 cc (81 mm bore × 77.4 mm stroke), pairs an aluminium block and cylinder head with a forged crankshaft, and runs a 10.2:1 compression ratio. Introduced in 1989, it was one of the first mass-produced engines to exceed 100 hp per litre: at high rpm the VTEC system switches to a more aggressive cam profile and the redline sits beyond 8,000 rpm.

Offered as the B16A1 (150 hp) then the B16A2 and B16A3 (160 hp), it powered in Europe the Honda Civic 1.6i VTEC (EE9), the CRX 1.6i VTEC (EE8), the Civic VTi (EG6 and EK4), the CRX del Sol VTi (EG2) and the Civic Si (EM1), built from 1989 to 2000. Light, eager and famously durable in stock form, the B16A is a cult tuning base: as soon as displacement grows (swap, stroker), forced induction comes into play (turbo or supercharger) or the rev range is pushed further, its factory rod becomes the first link to reinforce.

Forged connecting rods

Machined from high-strength 4340 steel, these reinforced forged rods make the bottom end reliable as soon as power climbs. They become essential when fitting forged pistons, raising the rev limit, increasing boost pressure or gaining displacement, all cases where the factory rod reaches its limits.

Designed to absorb the heavy loads of built engines (turbo as well as supercharged), these rods suit every discipline (rally, drift, drag, circuit and track days, hill climb, time attack) and support Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4+ builds, all the way to full race engines.

Technical specifications of the Honda B16A forged rods

Tightening torque and stretch

Manufacturers favour the stretch method, which is more accurate than torque alone. The values below are given for guidance: always refer to the instructions supplied with the ARP bolts.

Technical guide

Forged 4340 steel: what is it?

Connecting rod profiles

	I-Beam profile. Its narrower central section reduces rod weight and the inertia of the reciprocating assembly: rev pick-up is crisper. It is the favoured profile on high-revving VTEC engines and turbo builds. Its I-HD (Heavy Duty) variant is a reinforced version, designed to take higher loads without needlessly adding weight.
	H-Beam profile. Its "H" section delivers great stiffness and remarkable resistance to both bending and compression. Slightly heavier than an I-Beam rod, it prioritises strength: the right choice for high-torque engines, big builds and drag racing.

How to choose your rod bolts?

The rod bolt is among the most heavily stressed parts of an engine. The right approach is to choose the ARP grade according to the actual use of the build, then to follow the tightening torque and the assembly stretch to the letter.

ARP 2000 (tensile strength around 220,000 psi, i.e. ~1,517 MPa) is the high-performance standard. It suits builds up to 150 hp per cylinder in 5/16" or 200 hp per cylinder in 3/8", and up to 8,500 rpm. It is the most widely used grade in circuit, track day, drift, rally, drag and hill climb, valued for its strength, reliability and versatility, with no particular storage constraint.

L19 (tensile strength around 260,000 psi, i.e. ~1,793 MPa) is intended for engines pushed to the extreme, up to 200 hp per cylinder in 5/16" or 250 hp per cylinder in 3/8", and up to 10,000 rpm: very high boost pressure, sustained high rpm and elevated cylinder pressure. It is the choice for big-power builds, drag, drift, rally, circuit. Caution: prone to corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement, it must be stored and fitted oiled, away from moisture.

Measuring bolt stretch

Buy the ARP stretch gauge →

The brands offered

	ZRP is a Greek brand of high-performance forged rods, designed by Alex Drakos in Athens. Each rod is forged from 4340 steel, precision-machined and balanced to ±1 g to stay reliable at high rpm. Available in I or H profile with ARP 2000, L19 or Custom Age 625+ bolts, they are designed and inspected in Greece, then proven in rally, on circuit and in drift.
	Manley Performance has been manufacturing forged rods in the United States since 1966. Cut from aerospace-grade, vacuum-degassed 4340 steel, shot-peened and inspected one by one, its "Turbo Tuff" rods come in H and I profiles, with ARP 2000 or Custom Age 625+ bolts. A great name in engine building, from road to competition.

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) Centre-to-centre length

Vehicle compatibility for the Honda B16A engine

These forged connecting rods fit the vehicles equipped with the Honda B16A engine (1.6 16V DOHC VTEC) listed below:

OEM reference: 13210-PR3-000 (set of 4 rods).

Why is it the most cost-effective solution?

When a stock bottom end fails (a broken, bent or scored rod), returning to the factory configuration means replacing both the rods and the pistons, which are often damaged as well. The bill rises quickly, for a simple restoration.

For a comparable budget, or even less, combining forged 4340 steel rods with forged pistons brings clearly higher reliability and a greater safety margin, plus real potential for future power gains. It is the route chosen by European engine builders for more than fifteen years.

For the same budget: more reliability, more potential, more longevity.