Honda Civic SiR

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B16A Reference

This page contains reference information for Honda B series engines. Honda introduced the first B series VTEC engine in the Japan Domestic Market (JDM) in the form of the B16A in 1989. The mass-produced normally aspirated engine managed to break 100hp/liter - 160 horsepower from 1.6 litres of displacement. The B16A has since been a benchmark for all 1.6 litre engines and has been continued in production since 1989 and is still used today in the high performance line up of Honda's.

B16A Variants - JDM B Series Engine Statistics - USA B Series Engine Statistics

B16A Variants

The progressive development of the B16A can be classified into four distinct generations:

B16A G1 (First Generation)
The original motor introduced in the JDM 1989 Civic/CRX (EF body) and the JDM 1989 Integra (DA body)
B16A G2 (Second Generation)
From the JDM 1992-1995 Civic (EG body)
B16A G3 (Third Generation)
From the JDM 1996+ Civic (EK body)
B16B
From the JDM 1997+ Civic Type-R

Of course there are also a number of 1800cc B series variants based on the B16A:

B18C
From the JDM 1992 Integra onwards
B18C 96 spec.R
From the JDM 1996-1998 Integra Type
B18C 98 spec.R
From the JDM 98+ Integra Type

JDM B Series Engine Statistics

Below is a table containing the engine statistics for the different B16A variants of the JDM Honda B series engines.

JDM B Series Engine Statistics
B16A G1 B16A G2 B16A G3 B16B B18C 96 spec.R
Type Water-cooled 4 stroke Same Same Same Same
Cylinder Arrangement Inline 4 cylinder, transverse Same Same Same Same
Block Height 1 263mm Same Same 270mm 270mm
Bore x Stroke 81.0mm x 77.4mm Same Same Same 81.0mm x 87.2mm
Displacement 1595cc Same Same Same 1797cc
Compression Ratio 10.2 : 1 10.4 : 1 10.4 : 1 10.8 : 1 11.1 : 1
Valve Train 4 valves per cylinder, belt driven DOHC VTEC Same Same Same Same
Peak Power 160ps @ 7600rpm 170ps @ 7800rpm 170ps @ 7800rpm 185ps @ 8200rpm 200ps @ 8000rpm
Peak Torque 15.5kgm @ 7000rpm 16.0kgm @ 7300rpm 16.0kgm @ 7300rpm 16.3kgm @ 7500rpm 18.5kgm @ 7500rpm
Specific Output 100ps/l 106.3ps/l 106.3ps/l 115.6ps/l 111.1ps/l
Valve Size (Intake/Exhaust) 33.0/28.0mm Same Same Same Same
Intake Opening (BTDC) 10 15 15 18 15
Intake Closing (ABDC) 40 45 45 45 45
Intake Duration 230 240 240 243 240
Exhaust Opening (BBDC) 40 40 40 45 45
Exhaust Closing (ATDC) 7 7 7 10 10
Exhaust Duration 227 227 227 235 235
Overlap 17 22 22 28 25
Intake Valve Lift 10.6mm 10.7mm 10.7mm 11.5mm 11.5mm
Exhaust Valve Lift 9.4mm 9.4mm 9.4mm 10.5mm 10.5mm
Valve Springs (Intake/Exhaust) Dual/Single Dual/Single Dual/Single Dual/Dual Dual/Dual

USA B Series Engine Statistics

Of course, there are also some variants of the mighty B16A within the US market as well. The USA B16A variants can be differentiated from their JDM counterparts by the engine code stamped on the block. All USA B16A engines have a number stamped after the equivalent JDM engine code to identify the generation of the B16A engine. For example, B16A1 would be a first generation USA B16A engine and B16A2 would be a second generation USA B16A engine.

Below is a table containing the engine statistics for the different USA versions of the B16A variants of the Honda B series engines.

USA B Series Engine Statistics
USA B17A USA B18C USA B18C spec.R
Type Water-cooled 4 stroke Same Same
Cylinder Arrangement Inline 4 cylinder, transverse Same Same
Block Height 1 263mm (10.354") 270mm (10.630") Same
Bore x Stroke 81.0 x 81.4mm (3.19 x 3.20in) 81.0 x 87.2mm (3.19 x 3.43in) Same
Displacement 1678cc (102.4 cid) 1797cc (109.6 cid) Same
Compression Ratio 9.7 : 1 10.0 : 1 10.6 : 1
Valve Train 4 valves per cylinder, belt driven, DOHC VTEC Same Same
Peak Power 160hp @ 7600rpm 170hp @ 7600rpm 195hp @ 8000rpm
Peak Torque 117lbs-ft @ 7000rpm 128lbs-ft @ 6200rpm 130lbs-ft @ 7500rpm
Specific Output 94.1hp/l 94.4hp/l 108.3hp/l
Valve Size (Intake/Exhaust) 33.0/28.0mm Same Same
Intake Opening (BTDC) 10 10 15
Intake Closing (ABDC) 40 40 45
Intake Duration 230 230 240
Exhaust Opening (BBDC) 40 40 45
Exhaust Closing (ATDC) 7 7 10
Exhaust Duration 227 227 235
Overlap 17 17 25
Intake Valve Lift 10.6mm (0.417") 10.6mm (0.417") 11.5mm (0.453")
Exhaust Valve Lift 9.4mm (0.370") 9.4mm (0.370") 10.5mm (0.413")
Valve Springs (Intake/Exhaust) Dual/Single Dual/Single Dual/Dual

All cam timing figures are from the high rpm lobe. All figures are from Honda, which are based on 1mm lift at the valve.

It seems that the above engines don't all have the same rocker arm ratio, which means that the same cam will have a different lift at the valve depending on which rocker arm is used.

1 Block height measured with a steel ruler from the deck to the bottom of the oil pan rail.