SpeedFactory B18C H-Beam Connecting Rods

SpeedFactory B18C H-Beam Connecting Rods

Stock B18C rods are happy at factory power and factory redline, and that's about it. Once you bolt a turbo to your GS-R or start chasing big compression and RPM in a DC2 Type R build, the rods are what let go first. The SpeedFactory Racing B18C H-beam connecting rods are the affordable fix: forged 4340 chromoly, rated for over 225 hp per cylinder (900+ hp total), and lighter than many competing H-beam rods.

What It Is and Why It Works

This is a set of four 138mm center-to-center rods for the B18C family, meaning the B18C1 in the 1994-2001 Integra GS-R and the B18C5 in the Integra Type R, plus JDM B18C variants running the same bottom end architecture. Each rod is forged from SAE 4340 chromoly, 100% CNC machined, multi-stage heat treated, magnafluxed to catch internal flaws, and shot-peened to relieve stress. Precision alignment dowels locate the rod caps, keep the big end bore round, and eliminate cap walk under load, which is a real failure mode on cheaper rods.

The pin end runs a bronze alloy bushing with dual offset oiling holes for floating wrist pins, and SpeedFactory includes 3/8 inch ARP2000 rod bolts rated at 220,000 psi, ARP assembly lube, and instructions in the box. Each set is weight matched to within 1 gram, so your machine shop starts from a balanced baseline. For a boosted B18C making 500 to 700 whp, or an all-motor build spinning past stock redline, this is the insurance the factory rods can't offer.

Specs

Fitment

These fit B18C engines only. That covers the GS-R and Type R from the DC2/DB8 Integra generation, whether the engine is still in its original chassis or swapped into an EG or EK Civic.

There was no 1999 USDM Integra Type R, so a 1999 car with a B18C5 is already swapped. JDM B18C engines (SiR-G, Type R) share the same rod dimensions. The pin end fits most aftermarket pistons without additional machining, and these rods do not work with OEM style pistons at all.

What to Know Before You Buy

Buy by your block, not your head. This is the number one mistake with B-series rods. If you're building an LS/VTEC or B20/VTEC, your bottom end is a B18A, B18B, or B20, and those blocks take a 137mm rod, not this 138mm B18C rod. SpeedFactory makes that version too and we carry it, so grab the B18A/B/B20 rod set for those builds. This page is for actual B18C blocks only.

Plan pistons and rods together. The bushed pin end wants aftermarket forged pistons, and if you're thinking about reusing the stock slugs, these are not your rods. Most B18C builds pair these with forged pistons, King or ACL bearings, and ARP head studs, and that combination holds serious boost on a proper tune.

The included ARP2000 bolts handle the overwhelming majority of builds, including boosted street cars and all-motor setups revving to the mid 8000s. If you're building a 9,000+ rpm screamer, talk to your engine builder about stepping up the rod bolt spec before final assembly. Either way, torque them with the included ARP lube and a stretch gauge, and have your machine shop verify bearing clearances even though each set comes balanced to within a gram.