It’s hard to ignore the legacy of Honda’s B-series family in the Japanese engine world. In 1989, Honda launched the first generation of his B16 engine in his Integra XSi and CRX SiR, followed by six more generations during its 11-year lifespan. If you’re looking for powerful used Honda engines for sale, here’s why you should keep B16 VTEC on your list.

 

B16 VTEC Specifications 

The B16 was the first engine to incorporate Honda’s soon-to-be-legendary VTEC system into a lightweight in-line four-cylinder aluminum block.

The typical exceptional build quality we’ve come to expect from Honda, coupled with its ridiculous 9,000 RPM in stock guise, makes the B16 the most iconic Japanese engine ever produced. No wonder it became one of the most demanded Japanese car engines for sale.

It wasn’t until Honda incorporated the B16A2 engine into his 1999 Civic Si that the B16’s popularity began to skyrocket. This was the first time the Honda B-series was sold in the US outside of his Sol.

 

Honda B16 VTEC Horsepower 

One of the B16’s most impressive aspects is its horsepower-to-liter ratio. The first generation had exactly 160 horsepower (100 horsepower per liter), but Honda continued research and development of his B16 and later converted his highly desirable B16B engine to his insane 185. They were able to squeeze out more horsepower efficiently. Imagine if some of America’s big-displacement V8 engines could match their horsepower-to-liter ratio!

It was the VTEC technology combined with their crazy redline that allowed Honda to produce such a spectacular engine.

This was a bold achievement for a production engine considering it was a very reliable and comfortable daily driver.

 

B16 VTEC Upgrades 

If you want to tune your B16 engine for more power, the following are a few practical upgrades to consider.

  • 4-1 Exhaust Manifold: One common replacement part is for the B18C, but it’s often easier to buy a new aftermarket equivalent.
  • Upgraded Exhaust System: Opt for a larger bore to channel gas and make the B16 sound a little more impressive.
  • Cold Air Intake: Another important upgrade, but make sure you get the right CAI as some of the cheaper options on the market are likely to suck in hot air.
  • Remaps: If you plan to continue with these upgrades, tweaking them appropriately here will make your B16 more efficient and take full advantage of the new upgrades.

 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the B16 is a very impressive engine. Not only is it capable of insane horsepower displacement, but it’s also tuning-friendly, especially if you’re not looking for big power numbers.

If you’re considering a Honda used engine for sale, B16 VTEC would be a fine choice. It’s compatible with a lot of editions of Honda Integra, Civic, CR-X, and more. You can easily a compatible model of your car and enjoy the power and reliability of Honda.