Matt8314

I have been thinking of building a B20 VTEC for quite some time. I currently have plenty of parts laying around to build a B20 VTEC. But there is the question of rods. Many here have said over the years that resized stock rods with ARP fasteners are good enough. But let's face it. Aftermarket rods are going to be a better choice. I have the opportunity to buy a used set of Eagle rods for $100. This is probably around the same as I would pay for ARP fasteners and machine work for stock rods, which is a factor in favor of the Eagle rods. However, I don't know that a set of rods of unknown history (perhaps used on a 500HP turbo motor?) is going to be better than stock rods. And I have heard some not so good things about Eagle rods, including the need to resize them just like stock rods (thus making them more expensive than expected). I have also heard that they are heavier and not of very good quality. Is this true? Should I look into buying these rods? Or would I be better off just going the more conventional route of reworked stock rods?

By the way, pistons don't seem to be an issue with my rod choice, as RS Machine (the pistons I plan to use) says their pistons can be used with either stock or aftermarket rods.

DumpdEJ6

I have reconditioned stock rods with ARP rod bolts running in my 200whp Civic. It doesn't get driven a LOT, but when it does it tends to get taken to its 8k redline fairly consistently. I have about 8k miles over 2 years on it and zero issues.

All that to say, it probably depends on your power goals. One thing I do wish I had done is used forged pistons so I would be able to run up to 100hp shot of nitrous.

Many factors contribute to engine damage, your tune is up there in importance. In my admittedly less than experienced opinion, if you're looking for 300hp or less, you should have no problem with stock rods and ARP rod bolts, as there are plenty of all stock bottom end LS-turbo engines out there making close to that, even without the rod bolts. If you think you may want 300hp or more (which even if you're not right now, you probably will later on) you may want the peace of mind of aftermarket rods.

I cannot speak to the quality of Eagle rods vs other manufacturers, hopefully someone more experienced will chime in.

ontariorider

I think it depends on the motor, if your cams etc drop off after 8000rpm u should be fine with stock rods and bolts as you arnt revving the motor to the moon. If you plan on running say skunk pro series cams u will generally want to take the motor past 9k where oem rods even with arp hardwear won't be sufficient.

solorex

I brought this question up a couple months ago: https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-mo...-rods-3293356/