Almost every car enthusiast has heard of the Honda B16 engine. This engine is one of the most popular JDM creations, and it was especially sought after before the introduction of the newer K20 and K24 motors. 

There are lots of high-power builds based on the B16 engine, and that is no coincidence. These engines are easy to mod, and as a result, they can pack some serious performance. When considering building a proper slingshot on a budget, the Honda B16 is a no-brainer. Here are the main three reasons, why it is the best choice if you are into Japanese cars from the 90s.

Cheap and Abundant

The B16 engine is part of the lineup of inline 4-cylinder DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) gasoline engines called the B-series. It was first introduced by Honda in 1989 as a performance-focused engine. It was also the first drivetrain to feature Honda’s Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control System (VTEC). As a stock, B16s use natural aspiration, which ensures a linear power delivery and perfect control, but as most builds prefer high power figures, they are often fitted with turbos.

The B16s came in a wide range of models. First seen on the Honda Integra XSi, it quickly spread to other models including the Honda Civic, Integra, and CRX. Because of this, millions of cars with this engine were produced and today, they can be found “just around every corner” and for cheap, too! While not all, some US-spec Honda models featured the B16 out of the factory, which further adds to the perfect availability of these powertrains.

The situation is similar in terms of replacement parts. They are almost everywhere and with a wide range of aftermarket solutions, you are almost guaranteed to find a perfect mix of parts for your build. And that is important. After all, the aftermarket parts will be your go-to, if you really want to get the maximum out of the B16 engine.

Crazy Power Potential!

The base power generated by the B16 engines out of the factory started at 150 hp and went up to 185 horsepower on the top models. This is quite impressive considering that we are talking about an engine from the 90s and that it only had a displacement of 1.6 liters.

To put things into perspective, the Honda B16 can generate around 115 horsepower per liter of displacement when stock. Now, look at something like a Dodge Viper SRT. This legendary behemoth uses an 8.4L engine with 10 cylinders and generates 649 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft of torque. 

This puts its horsepower per liter of displacement at 77. To achieve a similar per liter output as the legendary B16, the Viper would thus have to be rated at an astonishing 966 horsepower. 

The B16 engine is truly the pinnacle of Honda engineering. Even today’s engines sometimes have trouble achieving these figures. With a little bit of exaggeration, the engine is close to the W16 drivetrain in the Bugatti Chiron, which generates 137 hp per liter of displacement.

A Few Things to Look Out For with Honda B16 Engines

The groundbreaking power numbers were mainly achieved by the VTEC system and the high rev limits of the B16 engines. It is surprising that even then, the B16s are generally reliable, whether modified or stock. That said, there are a few issues that are worth keeping an eye on.

The camshaft seals were one of the weak points of the B16 and wore down quite quickly. Some units may also have issues with oil consumption or unstable idle rpm, which is usually an issue connected to the leaking camshaft seals. The burning oil is an issue typically seen on very high mileage or abused engines. Keep an eye out on these, and your B16 will be good for years.

The Perfect Base for a Performance Build

When looking at the specifications of the B16 engine, it is quite a compelling package. Both the cylinder head and block are made of lightweight aluminum. There are four valves per cylinder and the compression ratio used as stock is between 10.2:1 and 10.8:1. The only aspect that lacks behind is the torque, as stock B16 engines only generate between 110 and 118 lb.-ft but that is nothing that couldn’t be solved with a bit of modding.

As mentioned before, already out of the factory, the power figures of such a small engine are impressive, but there is still room for more. With only slight mods, 220 hp is easily achievable. For those that want all the power they can get, a turbo or a supercharger will become a necessity.

Some basic mods include a new exhaust manifold (ones from the B18C engines are often used), an upgraded exhaust system, software remap, upgraded injectors, forged heads, pistons, or a more powerful fuel pump. These are only a few of the endless possibilities. There are so many options, that it is difficult to find two builds that would look the same and utilize identical components.

500 Horsepower Out of a 1.6L B16 and More

When it comes to tuning and extracting crazy power figures, only the K20 and K24 engines are considered as flexible as the B series from Honda. One of the most extreme examples of B16 tuning is the 500-horsepower engine built on the B16A variant. You’d expect such power figures to just tear the small 1.6L engine apart, but that is not the case. With the use of forged pistons and other reinforced high-quality components, this build works rather reliably. 

Of course, such a goal requires the engine to be entirely rebuilt from the ground up. A new turbo by Turbonetics, a large intercooler, new software mapping, headers, fuel injectors, and a plethora of other parts had to be changed. 

That said, it is still an old-school B16 at the heart, and it is crazy that it can achieve such powers, even with the help of aftermarket components. Not even the 2023 BMW M3 makes this amount of power. You’d need the Competition package for the M3 to be on par with the 500 horsepower B16 build, power-wise. 

This is just one of the examples showcasing the capabilities of the Honda engines. There have been other builds, that have tried to push the numbers even higher, reaching the 800 horsepower range in some instances. However, these builds are really not for everyone. At 800 hp, the Honda reliability is gone.

Legendary Engines with a Large Following

Whether on social media or in real life, the Honda B16 engines have lots of communities that offer support. These engines are practically legendary, and it seems like they will stay relevant for years to come.

In addition, with such a large following, there are more than a few people out there capable of sharing some sage advice should you run into any issues with your B16 engine build. This is one of the greatest advantages of B16 builds in comparison to other, similarly popular Japanese drivetrains.

With time, we can expect the B16 engines to dry up, just as the JDM cars from that era. For this reason, you should become a part of the B16 community now, when the prices are still affordable.

The Endless Possibilities of a Honda B16 Engine 

To sum things up, the Honda B16 engine is reliable, offers immense room for mods, and is easy and affordable to get. Thanks to the huge community around it, you can be sure that there will always be someone capable of helping you out in case you run into any issues during your build. What more can you ask for? With the endless possibilities, the B16 is suitable for both beginners and advanced tuners. It is simply an impressive engine that was carefully engineered and is still relevant even after more than three decades since its first