There’s a Honda engine that is increasingly becoming popular among car enthusiasts and tuners who are looking for a dependable power plant. This engine belongs to Honda’s D16 engine family. In this article, I’ll discuss the Honda D16Z6 engine specs and review them.
The Honda D16Z6 is a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine. Its stock horsepower is only 125 hp. But tuners were able to increase this power to an insane 1,000 plus horsepower for Supras and EVOs.
The Honda D16 engine series is a perfect engine in stock form. The Honda D16Z6 is just one of its several noteworthy evolutions. These engines are very affordable but still highly reliable. They are also incredibly lightweight. Many of these engines come with Honda’s VTEC technology, making them highly attractive to tuners.
Read on to learn more about the Honda D16Z6 engine, its specs, and reviews about its performance.
Honda D16Z6 Engine Specs and Review
The Honda D16Z6 engine belongs to the family of Honda’s D16 engine series. It is a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine. However, according to its specs, its exact engine size is 1.59 liters or 97 cubic inches.
In stock form, the Honda D16Z6 engine can only produce 125 horsepower. However, after tuning the engine, tuners could crank up its power to an insane 1,000 plus horsepower for EVOs and Supras.
The Honda D16Z6 is a reliable engine, readily available in the market. It is attractive to buyers because it is relatively cheap and highly lightweight. In addition, most of the D16 engines come with the famous VTEC technology of Honda.
This engine was mass-produced, so many are available in the US market. And they are very affordable, making them a good option for tuners and those looking for a dependable power plant for their project cars.
Honda D16Z6 Overview
Part of Honda’s “D Series” Engines
Honda designed the Honda D16Z6 engine to be a part of its “D Series” engines. It is a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine. More accurately, its engine size is 1.59 liters or about 97 cubic inches.
Available in Different Engine Displacements
Honda’s D series engines were made available in different engine displacements. They range from 1.2 to 1.7 liters. These engines were manufactured by Honda starting in 1984. Honda ended its production in 2005. Some say Honda stopped producing this engine series in 2007.
Honda Del Sol and the Honda Civic’s Stock Engine
The ‘D’ in the engine’s name stands for the engine series, and the ’16’ represents the engine’s displacement, which in numbers is 1.6 liters or, more accurately, 1.59 liters. This engine was the stock engine of the Honda Del Sol and the Honda Civic.
Good Option for Tuning
The factory version of this engine can only crank out so much power. However, many tuners have tinkered with these engines and modified them to use them for racing. The D16Z6 is a good option for tuning because it is relatively strong and lightweight.
Usually, tuners add a turbocharger to the engine to enhance its performance. This is the most common upgrade tuners do to this engine. They also add other aftermarket parts to add more power and pep to the engine.
Honda Models with the D16Z6 Engine
What Honda cars have the D16Z6 engine? There are at least 5 Honda models that were powered by this engine. They include:
- Honda Civic Si – from 1992 to 1995
- Honda Civic EX, EX-V – from 1992 to 1995
- Honda Civic ESi (Europe) – from 1992 to 1995
- Honda Del Sol ESi (Europe) – from 1993 to 1995
- Honda Del Sol ESi (Europe) – from 1993 to 1996
Specs of the D16Z6 Engine
First, the D16Z6 engine produces 125 horsepower at 6,600 RPM and 106 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. It has a higher redline of 7,200 rpm. The fuel cutoff of this engine occurs at 7,400 rpm. This engine has more usable power at the lower end of the scale.
Summary of D16Z6 Engine Specs
Here is a table that lists its specifications:
| Particulars | Specifications |
| Engine Code | D-Series |
| Production Years | 1984 to 2005 |
| Engine Displacement | 1,590 cc. (97 cubic inches) |
| Bore and Stroke | 75 mm x 90 mm |
| Peak Horsepower | 125 bhp at 6,600 rpm (VTEC) |
| Peak Torque | 106 lb.-ft. at 5,200 rpm (VTEC) |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 (VTEC) |
| Volumetric Efficiency | 87.69% |
| Fuel Cutoff | 7,400 rpm (VTEC) |
| Redline | 7,200 rpm |
| Ignition System | Distributor, Internal Coil |
| Fuel Injectors | Top feed, High impedance, 190-240 cc/min (x4) |
| Throttle Body | Single |
| VTEC Switchover | 4,800 rpm |
| Fuel Control | OBD-1 PGM-FI |
| Block Material | Aluminum |
| Head Material | Aluminum |
| Valve/Springs/Retainers | 16 valves, Single cam, VTEC |
| Camshaft | 288/292-degree VTEC (Intake and exhaust) |
| ECU Code | P28 |
| Head Code | P08 |
Performance Review of the Honda D16Z6 Engine
Can Deliver 125 Horsepower at 6,600 RPM
Straight from the factory, the Honda D16Z6 engine can deliver 125 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. At this level, this engine is already quite capable of providing a degree of performance that most drivers will deem adequate.
Has a Compression Ratio of 9.2:1
Its red line is a high 7,200 rpm, while its fuel cutoff is just over 7,400 rpm. The compression ratio of this engine is 9.2:1, which is just right in the middle of the recommended compression ratio of 9.0:1 to 9.5:1, making it very safe to work with pump gas.
Comes with VTEC Technology
This engine also comes with VTEC technology. It is Honda’s version of variable cam timing. The VTEC for the D16Z6 engine switches its timing at 4,800 rpm. The bore and stroke of this engine are 2.95 inches and 3.54 inches, respectively.
Car Enthusiasts Squeezed More Power from the D16Z6 Engine
Some tuners and car enthusiasts were able to squeeze more power from the D16Z6 engine. They have used two methods to achieve this. Some have changed the motor, while some have added a turbocharger to the engine to enhance its power and performance.
Honda D16Z6 Engine Modifications
In addition, tuners have tried some of the following things to squeeze more juice from the D16Z6 engine:
- Installed a Y8 intake manifold: This modification, they say, makes a difference. It is also not that expensive considering the benefits it will provide, making it worth the money.
- They conducted proper porting, polishing, and reshaping of the cylinder heads. Some tuners were able to gain substantial power through this method.
- Tuners removed the power steering features of the engine, and then looped the lines, and installed a breather. This type of modification is also not that expensive. It also pays for itself because of the modified engine’s fuel economy.
- They also performed intake, header, and catback modifications, but they know it takes more than these to do the job.
Most modifications that will enhance the performance of the D16Z6 engine are relatively easy to perform. They are usually nothing more than bolt-on enhancements. However, these things can only do so much.
To get what you want, you need to consider forced induction. This means adding a turbocharger to the engine. But a lot of tuners consider this method an expensive route. That’s correct.
But if you want something you can count on that will push the engine’s power upwards when you step on the accelerator, then turbocharging is the way.
Again, is the Honda D16Z6 a good engine? The Honda D16Z6 is a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine capable of 125 HP. Also, it comes with VTEC technology. Plus, tuners were able to increase this engine’s power to 1000+.
Can a Toyota Engine Last a Million Miles?
Component Features of the D16Z6
To appreciate the value of the Honda D16Z6, you need to know the details of some of its components. These components make this engine a good candidate for modifications and upgrades:
1. Cylinder Heads and Compression
Made from Aluminum Alloy
The Honda D16Z6 engine uses a cylinder head made from aluminum alloy, which is lightweight. A very light engine is excellent for fuel efficiency and faster acceleration.
Average Compression Ratio
The engine’s cylinder head flows better but is still not at its ideal setting as it comes out from the factory. Its compression ratio is 9.2:1, which, as I have already mentioned, is in the middle of the recommended compression ratio for its engine class.
Polished Cylinder Heads Means Improved Engine Performance
If this component is correctly modified, it will improve its engine performance. More power can be extracted from this engine by installing a good port and polishing the cylinder heads.
2. Solidly Built Engine
Equipped with Steel Liners on All Its Cylinders
The engine, as mentioned above, is made of aluminum alloy. Aluminum is not as strong as steel, so the engine block of the Honda D16Z6 is not fundamentally strong. However, Honda did something to make the structure of this engine stronger.
Honda engineers have added steel liners on all its cylinders to strengthen the engine. By doing this, they increased the strength of the engine considerably. So, even if a tuner wants to modify the engine, they can do so without compromising the integrity of the engine’s cylinders.
Stock Honda D16Z6 Engine Has Relatively Small Displacement
As it comes out of the factory, the Honda D16Z6 engine is already solidly built and well-engineered. However, depending on your requirements, it may still not be your engine. For one, its engine displacement is relatively small.
It is also naturally aspirated and will not give you the extra power you need on the race track. However, it is light and can provide excellent fuel economy. This would be fine for people who are only concerned with their daily drives.
But its lightness and fuel efficiency are also a good foundation for those wanting to modify the engine to deliver the more powerful performance required for racing.
Ideal Option for Tuners and Modders
While Honda started producing its D series engine in 1984, it was only in 1992 when Honda began producing the D16Z6 engine. The first car that Honda installed this engine was the Honda Civic of that model year.
Honda continued manufacturing the D16Z6 engine through 1996. The company stopped production after phasing out its D series engines in 2007. However, car enthusiasts and modders grew fond of its reputation over the years of being rugged and dependable.
Because of this reputation, this engine became an excellent candidate for street racing mainly because it is strong and very light in weight. This engine can also fit in Honda cars with small bodies. So, it became one of the better options for modders and tuners.
Brief History of the Honda D16Z6 Engine
Honda started manufacturing its D family of engines in the mid-80s. The production of the D series engines lasted more than 25 years. However, Honda’s first engines are not the subject of interest to tuners and modders looking to enhance engine performance.
Honda only manufactured the performance variants of the D series engine during the mid-90s. As it was, the early D series engines only offered small engines ranging from 1.2 liters to 1.7 liters. The D16Z6, however, is 1.6 liters, which is what the ’16’ in its name represents.
The D16 engine was only available in the United States as a single cam. In Japan, they got the ZC variant which came with dual-overhead cams. The original D16 engine was not strong on performance since it was designed to focus on fuel economy, which Honda promoted during that time.
Is the Honda D16Z6 a Good Choice?
Some car experts believe that Honda is a company that does not have a “good enough” approach when manufacturing cars. The D series engine is one proof of this.
If you take a close look at the components of this engine, you will see that it is worth your money if you are thinking of buying one for your car project:
- The head gasket is of sufficient thickness
- Strong engine block
- Good flow in intake manifolds
- Strong connecting rods
- The compression ratio is in the mid-range of what car experts recommend
- More low-end usable power
- The minimum power the engine can produce is 125 hp.
- The engine redlines at 7,200 rpm
- The fuel cutoff is at 7,400 rpm
What’s the Life Expectancy of the Ford 5.4 Engine?
Common Honda D16Z6 Engine Issues
You should also consider the common issues of the Honda D16Z6 if you want to use it for your car project. This particular engine has built a reputation of reliability like all Honda engines.
However, you should remember that an engine, no matter how good, will manifest problems if it is not taken care of. Regular maintenance and servicing are essential, especially frequent oil changes.
Here are some of the things that you need to watch out for in Honda D16Z6 engines:
- Oil leaks could manifest in the misfiring of the engine.
- Rough idling often only requires cleaning the idle control valve or throttle body. A defective O2 sensor could also cause this.
- The engine sounds like a diesel engine. A defective exhaust manifold could cause this. Cracks in the manifold pipes may cause this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
The subject of the Honda D16Z6 engine will resonate with you if you are a car enthusiast looking for a machine for your next car project. Naturally, you will have some questions about this engine. Just keep on reading, and you might find your answers below:
What Is the Honda D16Z6 Engine?
The Honda D16Z6 engine is a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine that can deliver 125 horsepower. These are its key specs straight from the factory.
This is an engine that is popular with tuners and modders because they can extract more juices from it and make it produce insane power of 1,000 horsepower if the tuning is correct. This makes it great for racing.
Is the Honda D16Z6 a Good Engine?
Yes, all engines made by Honda are highly reliable and durable, including the D16Z6 engine. Unfortunately, Honda has already stopped its production since 2005. But there are units available in the market for tuners and modders for their street racing project cars.
Why Is the Honda D16Z6 a Popular Option for Street Racing Cars?
Many tuners like this engine because of its lightweight and reliability – the two critical elements required to improve an engine’s performance.
This engine is also highly available in the market. This engine can deliver excellent performance by properly tuning, modifying, and adding the necessary parts.
In Closing: Review of Honda D16Z6 Engine
The Honda D16Z6 is a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine with a stock horsepower of 125 hp. However, tuners have increased their power to an insane 1,000 plus horsepower for EVO and Supra vehicles.
The Honda D16Z6 engine is one of the evolutions of the Honda D16 engine. It belongs to the D16 series of Honda engines.
The D16 Honda engines are already excellent and dependable in their stock form. Many D16 series engines come with Honda’s VTEC technology making them highly attractive to tuners.
