At Remtune, we are experts on Honda engines and B-series specialists. Passions are often difficult to explain, but in this case, it’s simple: B-series engines are synonyms for excellence, efficiency, reliability, and what’s even better, they sound and look awesome and have so much potential!
The B-series engines were developed in the revolutionary eighties, and after thorough testing, they were released in 1989. Honda’s efforts to create a naturally aspirated, small displacement, 4-cylinder engine that is so efficient that it would outperform the competition have paid off.
The B-series was the first Honda automotive engine with VTEC technology, and even though it was on the market for only 11 years, it was enough time to become one of the most iconic engines of all time. In the year of its 35th anniversary, we want to pay homage to the B-series engines, which continue to bring us and automotive enthusiasts nothing but joy.
B-Series Engine Brief History
The B-series engine family has its roots in Honda’s racing and motorbike engine manufacturer’s experience. In March 1984, the brand’s passion for high power and efficiency led to the NCE (New Concept Engine) program. Simply put, the goal was to release compact, low-displacement engines with excellent horsepower per liter ratio and fuel economy.
The NCE program was a massive success, resulting in some great engines, but the star product was the mighty B16 engine, released in 1989. The legend says that Nobuhiko Kawamoto, Honda’s president of R&D, asked the brilliant Ikuo Kajitani, one of the men in charge of the NCE program, to create an atmospheric engine capable of producing whooping 100HP per liter, something unheard at the time. Kajitani accepted the challenge and had an ace under the sleeve: VTEC, the popular mechanism that dynamically changes the camshaft profile depending on the RPMs. The system was already proven successfully in motorcycle engines under the name of “REV” or “Hyper VTEC”.
The combination of a perfectly designed 16V DOHC cylinder head with a flawlessly developed cast aluminum engine block and racing-grade materials allowed the engineers to come up with a 1.6l engine capable of producing 160HP, exactly 100HP per liter.
VTEC B16 Engine - A 100-Year Problem Solved
Before VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) and other modern cam profile management systems, engineers faced a complex challenge. Engines with fixed cam profiles can’t perform well in all the powerbands. A camshaft with an aggressive profile would work great at high RPMs but become inefficient and poorly performing at idle and low RPMs. On the other hand, a conservative camshaft is perfect for low RPMs at the expense of the engine’s performance and power output, especially at higher regimes. VTEC allowed the B16 to work like a charm at lower RPMs and breathe efficiently at higher regimes. It’s like having two engines in one: a mild street engine and a heavily tuned one under the driver’s right foot. With that ingenious solution, Honda solved an engineering dilemma that puzzled mechanical engineers for over a century.
B-Series Construction And Design
To avoid confusion, it’s important to highlight that despite their code, B20A engines, like those found in some ‘85 to ’89 Preludes, Accords, and Vigors, have a completely different design. They shouldn’t be considered part of the legendary B-series powerplants.
That being said, between 1989 and 2001, Honda released several versions of the B-series engine, all with 16-valve DOHC cylinder heads and displacements from 1.6 to 2.0 liters. While VTEC was an outstanding feature, it wasn’t included in all models; some mild versions without the fabulous variable timing and lift technology were released to power lower trim and less spicy vehicles.
All “B” engines have a light, cast aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners. The weight reduction enhances the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency and helps reduce understeering in front-mounted engines. Although aluminum blocks are known for being weaker than their cast iron counterparts, B-series engines have proven capable of withstanding high loads and insane RPMs without any issues.
The B16 models feature an oversquare design. This means that the bore is larger than the stroke. This layout is often used in high-performance engines because it allows engines to produce more RPMs and power with shorter strokes and lower piston speeds, making each stroke more efficient while reducing the engine internals’ stress. Other versions, like the popular B18C, have a more conventional undersquare design, and while they reach lower RPM regimes than their oversquare counterparts, they can produce more torque.
B-Series Engines - Endless Tuning Possibilities
In a famous interview, Kajitani referred to the B16A’s engine durability and stated they made the 8,000-rpm powerplant strong enough to meet current Honda’s reliability targets: a lifespan of 15 years or 250,000 km. Of course, the engine is overbuilt, providing tuners a solid starting point for all kinds of tuning projects.
Not all B-series engines have VTEC cylinder heads, reinforced internals, and other improvements. However, all engines from the lineup are strong and, thanks to their modular design, it’s possible to retrofit non-VTEC engines with VTEC cylinder heads and other parts from other engines at a reasonable price. For example, a popular modification was to install a VTEC cylinder head into a CRV 2.0 B20B or B20Z engine. As these mods became more and more popular, tuning fanatics nicknamed these mods “Frankensteins”.
There are still plenty of stock and aftermarket parts to turn any B-series engine into an outstanding high-powered machine. From mild tunes, such as custom exhaust systems and cold air intakes, to bolt-on turbo kits and nitrous or more extreme builds, these engines have proven reliable and versatile for all kinds of applications.
From a professional point of view, tuning these engines is always a pleasure and a guarantee of success when properly done. Like every other engine, we like to establish a plan, set clear power goals, and leave room for further upgrades when necessary. When working with a solid plan, goal, and a well-calculated budget, you can make these little beasts safely reach extreme power outputs, keeping or exceeding their original reliability.