Hey i am doing my ls/vtec set up and i know i need rod bolts? What arp rod bolts do you recommend? and also i have to get them pressed in correct? I plan on revving out to 8200 its on a stock ls bottom end. thanks

 

ive taken stock LS bottom ends to 8500/ making around 325 or so with no bad results.

 

I used to be a firm believer in the "rod bolt" theory, but after experiencing builds and seeing it first hand for myself, I think its just a myth, IMO.

OP, keep your redline and power goal sensible, your tune spot-on, and you should be ok.

BTW, what happened to the straight LS project?

 

although ive had no experience... in my slight research on ls vtecs there are more that think its a myth then those who think its 100% neccesary. if you are rebuilding id say the rod bolts are a good idea but if you have a mint ls motor that you plan on using and you dont plan on going over 8200-8500 rpm id say oh well.

a1320honda i think is his name is/was going to 8800 on a stock b18b bottom end with a dohc vtec head that has some upgrades. think he was around 350whp. one of my favorite setups.

im going stock bottom end on my ls vtec build and im shooting for 8k rpm, 300+whp.

 

I know first hand that you will be fine at 8200 rpms on a lsvtec setup I have ran a few setups. I was dd @ 320whp on 93 octane with a revhard kit all I had was arp head studs.

 

also assuming every single time you shift isnt at 7500+ lol.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/stock-ls-vs-ls-vtec-317whp-%409-5psi-av-engineering-tuned-2509036/

 

its a hit and miss with ls bottom ends. ive spun rod bearings twice already. get the rod bolts!!!!

 

its very cheap for rod bolts, and for head studs. why would you risk it?

 

Yes the rod bolts are cheap but having no place to pull the motor myself and having to take it to get the bolts pressed in equals $$$$$$$$

 

Well i got it tuned on the new manifold and wastegate on 12 pounds. It pulls really hard and my tuner said it feels healthy and wants more revs so bad. I told him about the built head and a few of his buddys that have ls and ls/vtec 50 lap race cars. They all swear on Ls/vtec so i got a complete head for pretty cheap im just going to rev it to 7k and expect 300hp thats fine with me

 

are you going to keep the stock ls pistons? I looking to do the same build but cant decied if i want to get some itr or b16 pistons. also i have a b16 stock head and an ls head that is ported with crower stage 2 cams... what head to use??? what pistons to use??? this is my dd car so i dont know what combo to go with.... good luck with your build