B16A FAQ

[Setanta]

B16A Gen 1 also came in the RSi DA 'teg according to Honda's website.

Nice coverage, I'll just add that treated properly, this has to be one of the toughest motors I've seen. 283,000kms on my original, unopened B16A.

Some Extras:

B16A2 Dizzies will only fit a B16A (gen 1) if you cut out a recess for the dizzy tang - it's located on the other side.

B16A2 engine mounts will not work with an EF regardless of what anyone says (and I mean EF, not ED which they definitely wont work with).

Waterpumps are interchangable (ty Tinkerbell and Robbie @ Hanny's)

To get parts for a gen 1 - Strong for Honda in NZ are a good starting point - or ordrer from Japan - they still have proper rad hoses etc and WILL tool up the dies to make you brand new engine mounts (EFs only).

Will check all my notes when I unpack my bags and boxes and find my gen 1 maintainance notes.

[crazycivic]

nice coverage man, thanks alot
i'm saving up for a 1/2 cut, hhhmm
hopefully i'll get
Any place for doing the conversion profesionally at good price?

[SINISTR]

Legallity

Before jumping straight into your swap, there are a couple of things to note.

In Australia it is illegal to fit an engine that is older than the chassis
Ie. The Motor must be same year of manufacture (or newer) as your chassis.

In Victoria (not sure about other states) an engineers certificate is required for registration if you increase displacement by more than 10%.

Question about this post:

what happens when my car is a Oct 91 CRX, and soon after gen3s have come out with the Vtecs and Hydraulic gearboxes? Does that mean that the only B16 i can get is from a Gen3? because SiRs were produced from 1989, and i have probably 1 in a million chance to find a B16A which is made in the last few months of gen2 production?
what happens here?!

[tinkerbell]

Question about this post:

what happens when my car is a Oct 91 CRX, and soon after gen3s have come out with the Vtecs and Hydraulic gearboxes? Does that mean that the only B16 i can get is from a Gen3? because SiRs were produced from 1989, and i have probably 1 in a million chance to find a B16A which is made in the last few months of gen2 production?
what happens here?!

how do you tell what year the B16A is mate?

they are all gen 1's, so you should be able to fit a gen 1 or newer...

[SiR JDM]

Any place for doing the conversion profesionally at good price?

It really depends where you are.
Mechanically its not the most difficult job for a mechanic, but having said that you should still use a mechanic you can trust. Where if cases such as problems arises, they will not just go ahead with things charging you extra without informing you etc etc.

Its best to find a mechanic you can trust (try searching the forums, "What mechanic in <instert major city here> do you use?" - its been posted a fair bit) and scope them out for yourself, make your own decision.

[SiR JDM]

Question about this post:

what happens when my car is a Oct 91 CRX, and soon after gen3s have come out with the Vtecs and Hydraulic gearboxes? Does that mean that the only B16 i can get is from a Gen3? because SiRs were produced from 1989, and i have probably 1 in a million chance to find a B16A which is made in the last few months of gen2 production?
what happens here?!

The year of production is actually stamped onto the blocks, so even tho your model is a late in the year, as far as i understand it, you are able to use a block from that year... blocks have a year stamp only so there is no way to tell which month the block was produced.
Although it would probably be easier to use a Gen1 b16, a Gen2 is still a viable option.

[SINISTR]

The year of production is actually stamped onto the blocks, so even tho your model is a late in the year, as far as i understand it, you are able to use a block from that year... blocks have a year stamp only so there is no way to tell which month the block was produced.
Although it would probably be easier to use a Gen1 b16, a Gen2 is still a viable option.

But buying a B16 or a halfcut, i cannot always check the year until I have it sitting in my garage. I would think that it should be permitted to swap within thesame generation. So i could get an SiR for example even if its a 89 model.

B16A2 is a viable option, however the cost of installation and mucking around if done at home will increase massively, Hudraulic clutch being one thing and the OBD2 vs OBD0 harness - everything would have to be ripped out and reinstalled.

I wonder if the workshops check what they are installing?

[tinkerbell]

The year of production is actually stamped onto the blocks,

on the block? this is indeed news to me!!!! where?

or do you mean on the head?

[SiR JDM]

But buying a B16 or a halfcut, i cannot always check the year until I have it sitting in my garage. I would think that it should be permitted to swap within thesame generation. So i could get an SiR for example even if its a 89 model.

I agree entirely, it makes it very complicated, similarly for those who buy say a 92/93 EG SIR 1/2 cut and put it into their 95 VTi, for example.

My chassis is a 92 (91 build), and my engine is *apparently* a 94. But thats just from word of mouth of guy i purchased it off.

Alot of the time because it would come in a 1/2 cut, there should be history..
The way I see it is you have two options
1 - Wait for an engine that you KNOW the year/make of
2 - Find and engine of the same generation and take the risk <-- Im sure its been done before!

B16A2 is a viable option, however the cost of installation and mucking around if done at home will increase massively, Hudraulic clutch being one thing and the OBD2 vs OBD0 harness - everything would have to be ripped out and reinstalled.

That is also very true.
Ive also heard of clearance issues with the ED/EF chassis and b series headers.

I wonder if the workshops check what they are installing?

That would really depend on the workshop. I know a very well known honda specific mechanic told me a engineerers report isn't necessary.

I think most mechanics wouldn't be troubled by it. Its not their responcibility, plus they may assume the car is for non road use (such as track use) which in that case does not have to follow any vicroads (or RTA) standards.

[SiR JDM]

on the block? this is indeed news to me!!!! where?

or do you mean on the head?

My bad! Sorry its very hot here havn't been thinking well all day.
Yes i ment the head!
For those that dont know where to check, here is a pic of mine with the numbers erased.

Each *x* is a number that will tell you the production date of the head

[tinkerbell]

i think it is just the first two that are the date...

but it IS just the date of the head cast, not the date of the engine assembly

[SINISTR]

i think it is just the first two that are the date...

but it IS just the date of the head cast, not the date of the engine assembly

so it could really mean anything right? like the head was made in 88 but only used in 90 - this is an exaduration...

i mean if I get a B16 and have it put in - and then it gets rejected for some dumb reason cos its old... im gonna shoot someone LOL