D16Z6 belongs to the D-series of engines by Honda for compact cars, including Civic and Del Sol from 1993-1995 models. It is among the best engines in the series having high reliability, lightweight and inexpensive design, and good performance features.
Is D16Z6 a Good Engine? Honda D16Z6 is a good engine with a 1.6-liter Inline 4-cylinder having a rated output power of 125 hp at 6600 rpm. It has a deck height of 212mm, which is 5mm better than D15 motors. It contains 4 valves in each cylinder and a total of 16 valves. Moreover, it has a SOHC valve train with a dual cam profile to support VTEC at 4800 rpm. It has a compression ratio of 9.2:1 and is compatible with a turbocharger power boost. It is a highly reliable engine with fewer maintenance issues.
We will cover its different aspects, including its design parameters, specifications, cost, and fuel requirements. I have explained its compatibility with a turbocharger, its valvetrain with VTEC technology, and its availability in which model years.
Why is D16Z6 a Good Engine?
D16Z6 is one of the most reliable engines of the D-series by Honda. It has a lightweight design made of cast aluminum and a good power rating.
Moreover, it responds well to any modifications or upgrades. It has OBD-I ECU chips as compared to OBD-II in later models.
Therefore, you can replace and tune any OBD-I compatible parts in the engine. It can last more than 190,000 miles without significant maintenance issues through regular oil changes and preventive maintenance.
Therefore, it is worth buying or building the engine if you are low on a budget because getting one is inexpensive.
What are the physical dimensions of the D16Z6 engine?
The Honda D16Z6 engine has an increased displacement of 1.6-liter than previous models in the D-series. It has a deck height of 212mm compared to 207mm in D15 motors and a stroke length of 90mm (3.54 inches).
You will find longer connecting rods of 137mm (5.39 inches) and a bore size of 75mm (2.95 inches). The ratio of connecting rods to the stroke length is 1.52. It has an Inline 4-cylinder configuration.
Moreover, both the cylinder head and block have cast aluminum construction. Therefore, it is a lightweight engine with suitable physical dimensions to ensure a powerful performance in terms of power and torque ratings.
It has a good compression ratio of 9.2:1. It is a measure of the volume of the cylinder when the piston is inside at the bottom dead center (TDC) and outside at the top dead center (TDC). The higher the compression ratio, the higher will be the engine power.
How much horsepower does a d16z6 have?
It is a powerful and one of the best engines in the D-series. It has a rated power of 125 horsepower from the manufacturer under standard operating conditions at 6600 rpm.
However, the actual power available during on-road driving conditions can be slightly lesser. It can deliver a power rating of 105-115 horsepower according to various factors. However, you can also increase this by using a turbocharger to go up to 220 hp or above.
Torque is also an important rating to measure how an engine can behave in hard-working conditions.
It has good torque ratings of 106 lb-ft (143.74 Nm), making it capable of holding its ground in more challenging tasks like towing or loading conditions.
How many valves does a D16Z6 have?
It has 4 valves per cylinder. Since it is an Inline-4 engine, therefore, it has a total of 4 cylinders. Therefore, it counts to a total of 16 valves for the motor.
Moreover, it has a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) design with variable valve timing and electronic lift control (VTEC). It has 2 camshaft profiles, and ECU selects the appropriate profile when VTEC activates.
It results in separate valve timing for low and high engine rpm. At high rpm, ECU controls the lift and ensures increased power output. While at low RPM, the second cam lobe gets activated and provides better fuel economy.
In the Honda D16Z6 engine, the switching of the camshaft profile occurs at 4800 rpm. It means speeds below 4800 rpm use one cam profile; beyond 4800, a high cam profile activates to ensure high power output.
What vehicles have D16Z6 engines?
In the USA market, the D16Z6 engine was a part of passenger cars, including the Honda Civic and Del Sol.
You will find it in the 1993-1995 Honda Civic Si, EX and EX-V trim levels. It is also a part of a 2-seater Honda Del Sol Si model from 1993-1995 with VTEC technology for optimum performance.
Although it remained part of Honda cars for 3-4 years, people still consider it one of the best engines of the D-series. It is because it can give more power by the use of turbochargers.
Therefore, there is still a considerable demand for used engines amongst enthusiasts and tuners to harness maximum power.
Can you install a turbocharger with a D16Z6 engine?
Yes, Honda D16Z6 is compatible with a turbocharger if you want to modify your Honda Civic or Del Sol to get more power. It has a compression ratio of 9.2:1.
Therefore, there is a tendency to apply more range of boost pressure with the help of a turbocharger. There are several aftermarket options available that are compatible for use with this engine.
Furthermore, they work with stock parts, and no need to tune the ECU to change the compression levels.
Using a turbocharger without replacing moving parts, you can easily get a power boost of up to 220-230 hp. However, going beyond that will become expensive as you have to upgrade engine parts like pistons and rods.
What fuel to use in the Honda D16Z6 engine?
The recommended fuel for the D16Z6 engine is a premium one rated at 91 or 93 Octane. However, the choice of gasoline depends on the particular vehicle model, and you can consult the owner’s manual to find the recommended fuel by Honda for the engine.
I have seen many people using regular gas with 87 Octane in their Civic with D16Z6 motors with no issues as they have a lower compression ratio. Since higher Octane fuel needs higher compression before it ignites.
Therefore, premium fuel is better to prevent problems like misfiring or knocking due to ignition at the wrong time.
It becomes more critical when running your vehicle with a turbocharger and high compression ratios. Premium fuel is expensive but provides better fuel economy and fewer emissions.
Average cost
It is inexpensive because of its lightweight and simple design. You can buy it from junkyards for as low as $350-$450.
Moreover, if it gets blown up, you can bring it in working condition by rebuilding and replacing parts like piston rings, gaskets, and bearings.
It will cost you $300-$400. In case of complete refurbishment, it will require as much as $1000 to upgrade parts like the valve guide, increase block height, and service the crank.
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