So for most of our motors B18C5's in the US, we have the factory helms service manual that we can look to when we need to do our own service and everything.

I see a lot of people that switch to the JDM B18C or JDM engines in general and I'm wondering, how are they maintaining these motors or how long do they even last for them? Do they have an english service manual for these JDM motors for specs and clearances etc. on maintenance or whatever or do they just know how to read japanese and use the service manual from japan for these JDM motors?

 

The U.S manuals would be the same for a j spec motor, The engines are virtually the same besides a bump in compression and power as well as some internal parts but as far as " maintenance it's the same.

 

Even for things like the valve clearances?

 

If you mean using the feeler gauge for valve adjustment then yes, it is the same. As for actual valve to vale or vale to piston clearance, then those are different. However, no matter if USDM or JDM, then you actually have to physically measure those in each individual engine. This shouldn't even be something you think about unless you are milling the head, installing aftermarket cams, installing aftermarket valves, installing after market pistons, or playing with cam timing a good bit on a stock engine.

 

The DOHC ZC shares a lot of parts with USDM cars. The ONLY part I ever had to source from a friend overseas was the one cam cap bolt that goes through the valve cover also to hold it down. Honda shares parts across so many platforms chances are the parts you'l need came on SOME USDM car.

 

There are only minor differences....

- VTEC solenoid pressure switch (not on JDM)
- spark plugs (all use 7's except 97-99 US-spec use 6's)
- Oil pump is different on early JDM (OBD1 style without CKP sensor)
- EVAP system is different on JDM motors (uses OBD-1 style syste but with NO Purge solenoid)

Really that is about all the difference.

If you insist on cross-referencing, you can do so by looking up on the JDM parts on JP-Carparts.com and comparing the numbers with a US place like OEMAcuraParts.com If the part-number is the same, the part is the same.