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Honda B engine

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File:Engine-vtec.jpg
The high performance 160 hp B16A3 DOHC VTEC in a Honda CR-X del Sol

The B-series Honda DOHC engines are the most popular and well known of the Honda engines. They are good performers from the factory, some models having a redline over 8,000 rpm, and accept high performance modifications well without much risk to reliability. The engine has been made in 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 2.0 liter variants, with and without VTEC. Later models have some minor upgrades, for instance modifications to the intake valves and ports and piston tops, and moving the dipstick away from the exhaust manifold.

Engine swaps

The B-series engine is one of the most common engines used for engine swaps in Hondas. Various versions, with VTEC and without, are found in American junkyards, mostly in Acura Integras. They were also found in many JDM Hondas and are quite plentiful in Japanese junkyards, and great numbers have been imported from Japan in the last few years. The JDM engine has some slightly different parts (e.g. throttle body) than the USDM version, the VTEC version producing 10 horsepower (7 kW) more, for instance. Also, the wiring harness is set up for right hand drive as Japan uses, rather than left hand drive as in the United States or Canada; this is just a minor nuisance, however, as the wires will all fit if some of the mounting clips are released.

The B-series engine fits nicely under the hood of many Civics, a common target for such swaps. Note that the actual B-series engine will not adapt to the transaxle that came with other engine models, therefore the entire powertrain, i.e. engine and transaxle, must be swapped as a unit; normally, however, the entire powertrain is what is meant when "engine" swaps or availability of used "engines" is discussed with respect to front wheel drive cars.

Note that the ECM (engine computer) must be swapped as well. Aftermarket modified ECMs are available, ranging from close to stock B-series to wildly modified, with various degrees of skill. If a VTEC engine is to be installed in a car which did not have a VTEC engine (D-series VTEC is acceptable) then additional wiring for the VTEC will have to be run, a minor chore.

The B-Series engine swap is very popular for 1992 through 1995 Civic owners since it is so easy to perform. The B-series engine was available in the United States 1994 Civic-based Del Sol; therefore the stock Honda motor mounts, axles, transmission linkage, and other auxilliary parts on the B-series engine (as well as the ECU, of course) will adapt it to any Civic of that era. The corresponding parts that came with the stock SOHC D-series engines will not fit the B-series, however. Unfortunately, most of the available engines are removed from the car without any of these parts, and often even the wiring harness has been destroyed, so the parts have to obtained by either scouring junkyards or purchased from Honda at substantial expense. If at all possible, an engine with a complete set of these parts is greatly to be desired over just the engine itself for this kind of swap.

If the engine is complete with these parts, very little else is needed for the 1992-1995 Civic, whether two door, four door, or hatchback. A bracket to adapt the existing throttle cable to the B-series engine is available from aftermarket manufacturers. As mentioned above, it may be necessary to add the VTEC wiring. If the B-series engine is older it may have a mechanical clutch, and an aftermarket bracket will be needed to adapt it to the hydraulic clutch cylinder on the car. The only part which may need to be purchased from Honda is the bracket for the air conditioning compressor, if air conditioning is to be used; the stock bracket with most B-series motors will not fit, only the very specific bracket used for the B16 fitted in the Del Sol.

For other generations, the swap is slightly harder because custom motor mounts must be used. Due to the popularity of the swaps, however, there are several manufacturers who make suitable mounts.

Interchangeable Parts

B-series engine parts are largely interchangeable. This allows for custom engines to be built with characteristics unlike any factory model. Any B-Series VTEC cylinder head component will fit in any other B-Series VTEC cylinder head, so dropping a Type-R camshaft into a GS-R motor will yield good power gains. The higher-compression Integra Type-R pistons are a good choice for a bump in power, and also have an anti-friction coating and better oiling characteristics. Also, complete frankenstein motors (motors made from parts of others) are possible. It is popular to take the large displacement, high-torque B20B bottom end and mate it to a high-flow B16 top end to make a very powerful custom motor.

B16

B16A

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
    • 1989-1991 Honda Integra RSi/XSi (DA)
    • 1989-1992 JDM Honda Civic SiR
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.2:1
      • Power: 158 hp @ 7600 rpm & 112 ft·lbf @ 7000 rpm
      • Transmission: S1/J1/Y1
    • 1989-1991 Honda Civic SiR
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.2:1
      • Power: 160 hp (119 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 111 ft·lbf (150 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
      • Transmission: S4C
    • 1992-1995 JDM Honda Civic Si-R II
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.4:1
      • Power: 168 hp @ 7800 rpm & 116 ft·lbf @ 7300 rpm
      • Transmission: S4C
    • 1992-1995 EDM Honda Civic VTi
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Power: 170 hp @ 7800 rpm & 116 ft·lbf @ 7300 rpm
    • 1989-1991 Honda CRX Si-R
    • 1989-1991 Honda Civic Si-R I
    • 1989-1992 Honda Concerto
    • 1989-1995 Rover 200
    • 1992-1995 JDM Honda Civic
    • 1992-1996 JDM Honda CRX SiR
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.2:1 / 10.4:1
      • Power: 158 hp - 170  hp & 111 ft·lbf - 116ft·lbf

B16A1

B16A2

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
    • 1991-1995 EDM Honda Civic VTi (EG)
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Power: 160 hp (118 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 112 ft·lbf (152 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
    • 1996-2000 Honda Civic VTi (EK)
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.4:1
      • Power: 168 hp @ 7800 rpm & 126 ft·lbf (171 Nm) @ 7300 rpm
    • 1999-2000 Honda Civic Si (EM)
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.2:1
      • Power: 160 hp (118 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 111 ft·lbf (151 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
      • Transmission: Y21

B16A3

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
    • 1994-1995 Honda Del Sol VTEC
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.2:1
      • Power: 160 hp (118 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 111 ft·lbf (152 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
      • Transmission: Y21

B16B

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
    • 1997-2000 Civic Type-R
      • Displacement: 1595 cc
      • Compression: 10.8:1
      • Power: 184 hp (137 kW) @ 8200 rpm & 118 ft·lbf (160 Nm) @ 7500 rpm
      • Transmission: Y80

B17

B17A1

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1678 cc
  • Compression: 10.0:1
  • Power: 160 hp (119 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 117 ft·lbf (159 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
  • Transmission: YS1

B18

B18A1

  • Non-VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1834 cc
  • Compression: 9.2:1
  • Power:
    • 1990-1991: 130 hp (97 kW) @ 6000 rpm & 121 ft·lbf (164 Nm) @ 5000 rpm
    • 1992-1993: 140 hp (104 kW) @ 6300 rpm & 121 ft·lbf (164 Nm) @ 5200 rpm
  • Transmission: YS1

B18B1

  • Non-VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1834 cc
  • Compression: 9.2:1
  • Power: 142 hp (106 kW) @ 6300 rpm & 127 ft·lbf (172 Nm) @ 5200 rpm
  • Transmission: S80,Y80

B18C

B18C1

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1797 cc
  • Compression: 10.0:1
  • Power: 170 hp (127 kW) @ 7600 rpm & 128 ft·lbf (174 Nm) @ 6200 rpm
  • Transmission: Y80

B18C3

B18C5

  • VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1797 cc
  • Compression: 10.6:1
  • Power: 195 hp (145 kW) @ 8000 rpm & 130 ft·lbf (176 Nm) @ 7500 rpm
  • Transmission: S80

B18C6/7

B20

The B20A3 and B20A5 are not considered part of the B family. See Honda B20A engine.

B20B

  • Non-VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1972 cc
  • Compression: 8.8:1
  • Power: 126 hp (94 kW) @ 5400 rpm & 133 ft·lbf (180 Nm) @ 4300 rpm

B20Z

  • Non-VTEC
  • Found in:
  • Displacement: 1972 cc
  • Compression: 9.6:1
  • Power: 146 hp (109 kW) @ 6200 rpm & 133 ft·lbf (180Nm) @ 4500RPM

B21

The B21A is not considered part of the B family. See Honda B20A engine.

See also

"Killer-B" Article on Sport Compact Car

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