Engine-pedia: Honda B-series 4-cylinder icons

The Honda B-Series are not just engines which powered some great performance cars; these are some of the most important engines in Japanese tuner culture. Introduced in the late 1980s, the high-revving, naturally aspirated, DOHC 4-cylinder defined the golden age of import performance, proving that small displacement could deliver world-class excitement.

All core B-Series Honda engines share a common architecture, making them highly interchangeable and the primary reason for their popularity as swap engines. Offered in a range of capacities, including 1595cc, 1678cc, 1797cc, 1834cc, and 1937cc, B-series engines produced between 94kW and 147kW, and compression ratios ranged from 8.8:1 and 11.1:1.

Honda’s legendary attention to detail in their engineering has meant there has never been a recall on the VTEC variable valve timing system, and these engines have been built up into both mega-power drag weapons, and high-RPM, high-G circuit racing monsters.

All B-Series engines utilise a stampled-steel wet sump oil pan, while the high-performance B16B and B18C feature a Type R baffle plate to assist in oil control during hard driving.

The defining feature of the performance B-Series is VTEC Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control ). This system uses a third, aggressive cam lobe and a hydraulic locking pin to switch valve timing and lift at high RPM , delivering both low-end driveability and peak power.

The B-Series is traditionally split into two groups: the Non- VTEC blocks (long stroke/low RPM ) and the VTEC blocks (short stroke/high RPM). These engines are known for their longer stroke and milder cam profiles, resulting in better low-end torque but a lower redline. They are the backbone of the LS-VTEC hybrid swaps .

B16B Technical Note: The B16B uses a block with the same deck height as the B18C ( 212.4 mm ), but retains the short B 16 stroke. This is achieved through extra-long 142.4 mm connecting rods, resulting in an exceptionally high 1.85:1 rod-to-stroke ratio for unparalleled RPM capability.

The B18C is the most sought-after B-Series engine for most performance enthusiasts. Offering the well-regarded high—performance Type R engineering the B18C is renowned as one of Japan’s best NA engines though genuine Type R B18Cs were only fitted to DC2R Integra Type Rs and so are rare and incredibly expensive today.

Type R Technical Note: The B 18 C Type R is the pinnacle. It featured a hand-ported cylinder head , larger intake ports , a factory oil cooler , larger throttle body , and more aggressive cams to achieve its incredible output.