Hey guys, new member to the forums, been reading awhile,

here's my story I drive a 95 E36 bmw, but wanna dump the 3,300lb slug, i was lookin into engine swaps, but a bmw lump would cost me 1,400 where as a honda lump would cost 500 bux

so i've decided to dump the pricey bimmer
and have been lookin into hondas,
during my searches I ran into a couple shops that Import engines from Japan for bmw's hondas and what not..

now my question is, how can i tell what the engine is from just lookin at it?
all i see is the "DOHC VTEC" on the top black cover and can tell it's a 4 cylnder and what not, but the engine was a little dirty so i couldn't see any Engine code stamped on the black b16a1 h22a f22a, etc etc.... i'd like to be able to identify the things by lookin at them, could u give me a hand as to where to look on the block? or pics of the B f H or something to lend me a hand? thanx

i've seen civic hatches and regular honda integras goin for pretty cheap, but they're like the CX DX models and such so that's why i'm lookin to swap a new lump in,

I'm thinking the block was a B16a,

anyways... thanx for any input guys

 

The engine code is etched into the block, right beside the tranny on its own little flat surface. If its covered in oil, it might be hard to see, but, the engine shouldnt be covered in oil anyway. The type-r's obviously have a red valve cover, but you can put that on any DOHC VTEC motor. The B18C1(GSR) has a unique "upside-down" intake manifold. Oh, and if you run across a B17A, grab it up, those are hard to come by and are great motors.

 

Well theres a few different ways u can decipher the engines. They are all stamped on the block which is the best way to know for sure but heres some pics so u can tell the difference visually.

B18C1 GSR engine


B18C5 ITR engine


B18b integra LS engine


B16A civic si engine


H22A prelude vtec engine


Theres a few more but these are the basic ones most people get. Hope this helps some.

 

hey thanx for the pointers...

but they look kinda the same, i'd hafta check them out again to be sure...

like "on the left under the distributer area"
or "right above the oil pan on the right" etc etc....

and would i be able to see it even if the block was still in the car?
could u perhaps point out as to where teh Stamp would be on the engine?

 

Yeah, the stamps are right next to exhaust manifold heat sheilds On the left side of them, just before the trans.

 

If it says DOHC VTEC, then it's most likely either a B18C1, B18C5, B16A, or H22A.

The B18C5 is easy to spot, because it has the red valve cover. (though you can put a red valve cover on any of the DOHC VTECs)

the B18C1 GSR has a different intake manifold (bends down, instead of up).

And the H22A says DOHC VTEC on the bottom part of the valve cover (and doesn't say "Honda Motors Company" or whatever. and overall, the H22A is just bigger.

The most common you'll probably come across is the B16A.

The B18B is DOHC, but isn't VTEC. It will just have the honda logo on there, and the valve cover is shaped different form the VTECs.

The stamps are on this flat surface between the exhaust manifold (header) and transmission (bellhousing). The surface is angled up so you can read it while the engine is still in the car.