umm im not a professional, but if he is using the ls rods and crank, then technically it's not an "ls/vtec" but were not going to debate that.

Who said that the ls rods were no good. Its the pistons that are questionable. First off, if your going to build an ls/vtec, unless you've got some serious tuning, you shouldn't be reving over 8,500 rpms. What kind of head are you going to run? is it going to be built or a stock head. gsr or b16.... there are alot of determining factors.