I'm building my first b18b1 with b16a cyl. head and have a few questions. Now I intend on getting the stock rods shot peened along with other necessary machine work, so does anyone know of a good shop in san diego that can perform this? I'm also throwing on some nippon 81.5 mm itr pistons with acl race standard size main and rod bearings. Would it be cheaper/ less hassle to get some forged rods or to machine the stock rods? Does someone have a recommendation on getting proper bearing clearances?

 

I'm also curious if I should have free floating or pressed in pistons?

 

take your block and crank to the shop and tell them you want the diameter of the main journals and get the specs of the crank journals. do some math and youll know what bearings to run. same with rods.

stock rods can do 350 but thats pushing it. youll need arp rod bolts because stock bolts are the main reason why ls vtecs fail.

 

just get some Eagle/manly H-Beams... for the price its worth it, saves you doing it later but if you're just staying N/A leave it. you didn't give much detail.

 

I'm not going to boost within the next couple of years. The head will be resurfaced and cleaned with the only power mod being the npr itr pistons. If someone knows of a good shop in san diego that shot peens rods, please send contact info. Thank you guys for the info you've given so far.

 

Should I go with pressed in or free floating wrist pins... and why?

 

To ferio-ichi3, I do have the arp rod bolts. I'm guessing that I'll have around 170 hp/125 ft lbs trq, with a 7.2k-8k rpm limit. Are you stating that I can use the stock b18b1 rods without shot peening? I read that shot peening is necessary.

 

To ferio-ichi3, I do have the arp rod bolts. I'm guessing that I'll have around 170 hp/125 ft lbs trq, with a 7.2k-8k rpm limit. Are you stating that I can use the stock b18b1 rods without shot peening? I read that shot peening is necessary.

 

Its not needed. You wont break the rods at that power. Arp rod bolts are needed if you will be at that much rpms. Especially if you be will doing that often.

 

Shotpeening is added insurance though! But rod bolts, youd be fine

 

Thanks for the info.