- The 1996 127 hp D16Y8 Civic engine, as well as the suspension, bigger front and rear stabilizer bars, and steering of the 160 horsepower (119 kW) VTEC, are all installed in the del Sol Si. (U.S.)
- The base del Sol S now has a 106 horsepower 1.6-liter engine, an increase of four horsepower over the 1.5-liter of previous years. (U.S.)
In This Article...
Honda Del Sols are trustworthy?
I’ve had my 1994 Del Sol Si for years, and I adore her. She has never presented me with any unforeseen problems. 167k on a bone stock that’s still going strong.
The Del Sol only fits two people, is underpowered for its size, takes up a lot of trunk room due to the targa top, and has subpar interior lighting. The Del Sol also gets great gas efficiency, is incredibly dependable, and is a blast to drive. It also offers remarkable leg room and trunk space (when the top is in place, that is)
The Del Sol is no different from other used cars in having problems. I’ll detail these problems along with what a buyer might anticipate when purchasing a Del Sol today.
Top leak: Predictable and repairable. Check for rust under the seal before you buy since water can collect there. To check there as well, you might want to take the visor assembly off.
As a remedy, try using silicone lubrication gel. If this doesn’t work, replace the seals, which are sold by most Honda dealerships. Costly but worthwhile.
Seats: Because individuals tend to slide into cars, seat tears on the corners are frequent. If a vendor has seat covers, they typically have ripped seats hidden.
There isn’t much you can do about this besides replacing them, reupholstering them with better fabric, or getting your own seat covers.
Del Sol steering wheels start to flake over time. Push down on the top of the wheel and look within the steering wheel covers for any sponginess.
Again, there isn’t much that can be done about this other than changing the wheel or hiding it.
Door bubbling: This can tear off and occurs near the armrest. The only solution is to reupholster, however this is merely a cosmetic change.
Check all the way around the trunk, paying close attention to the space under the spare tire and the region around the antenna, both of which are vulnerable to rust and water damage.
Do B16 engines work well?
The B16 is without a doubt an amazingly remarkable engine, especially considering its size.
Not only can it produce insane horsepower-to-displacement ratios, but it’s also easy to tune, especially if you’re not aiming for high power outputs.
Although some owners may claim that the B18 or B20 engines are better suited to forced induction, turbo-swaps are, of course, always a temptation. B16 engines are frequently acquired more cheaply and can end up being more cost-effective after the work is included in.
You may always bore out your B16 to 1.8L if necessary if you’re worried that you’ll regret not choosing a more significant displacement in the future.
There aren’t many engines that can equal the B-series family when it comes to reliability.
We have no doubt that it will serve you well, even if it will soon be rather old because it is aging like a great wine and hasn’t been driven constantly at the redline.
A compression test will probably let you know whether there are any serious issues if you’re worried about the prospective state of an engine.
Are you interested in choosing a Honda but can’t help but yearn for some tailgating fun? Check out our Honda S2000 Tuning Guides right away.
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What models of Honda have B16 engines?
1992–1993 B16A (Second Generation) “XSi” Honda Integra (DA6, DA8) 19921994 1992–1993 Honda Civic SiR/SiRII (EG6) Civic Ferio SiR from Honda (EG9) 19921995 CR-X del Sol SiR by Honda (EG2)
Honda Del Sol cars uncommon?
The Honda Del Sol combines the eccentric styling of an El Camino with the dependability and utility of a fifth-generation Civic. No, it’s not really true, but the buttresses flanking the back window certainly give the impression that it is connected to the famous car-truck.
The rear window, which could be rolled all the way down, was another of the Del Sol’s party tricks. The roof of the car could also be taken off and stored in the trunk. But the rest of the trunk space could still be used because it had a separate unique slot.
The Del Sol was one of the first vehicles on the market to produce 100 horsepower per liter of displacement, according to the editors of Hot Cars. This honor was made possible by the 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engine that was offered. At the time, it produced 160 hp, which was a respectable level of power, especially considering that the car only weighed roughly 2,400 pounds.
Furthermore, Honda produced less Del Sols than Civics during the period that it was in production. Thus, it is clear why it is now so uncommon.
Honda sold 25,748 Del Sols in 1993, followed by 21,075 in 1994, according to Car Sales Base. That’s not awful, but the sales fell off in the following years. Honda only produced 14,021 Del Sols in 1995, and after the car had a minor facelift, that number fell to 8,489 in 1996. Honda was ultimately only able to sell 5,603 Del Sols in 1997, the year of its sad demise, during its final year of manufacturing.
Honda, in contrast, sold significantly more than 250,000 standard Civic models in the same time frame. It is therefore safe to state that, about 30 years later, it is difficult to locate a Honda Del Sol (in good condition) on the used market, which accounts for the increased pricing.
What to watch out for while purchasing used Del Sol?
Timing belts, as opposed to chains, are used by all of the many engines installed in the Honda del Sol, hence they must be changed. For D series engines, a belt replacement is often advised every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or so, and every 160,000 km (100,000 miles) for B series motors. However, many owners of vehicles equipped with the B series prefer to change the belt sooner in the maintenance cycle for more peace of mind. The belt on the del Sol should be changed approximately every seven years if it is not used frequently.
To confirm that the belt has been changed, check the service history and speak with the owner or seller. You should be asking how the rest of the car has been maintained if something so crucial hasn’t been changed on a regular basis if it hasn’t been done at the advised service intervals. Don’t forget to verify that the timing belt, water pump, timing belt tensioner, and pulleys have all been changed.
Are the del Sol’s Engines Interference or Non-Interference?
Since all of the engines installed in the Del Sol are interference engines, a timing belt failure could result in a hefty repair price. Verify that the timing belt has been changed!
Why were Honda Del Sol production halted?
It wasn’t the worst sports car ever, that much is certain. In reality, despite having the typical little 13-inch wheels, it was a really enjoyable car with accurate handling, strong braking, and enough power to attack curves on winding roads. In the early and middle 1990s, it was a breath of fresh air in the monotonous Honda range.
What then is the issue? difficulties with quality at first. Following the first two model years, many consumers refrained from purchasing an example due to the intricate targa roof’s propensity for leaks and noise. The car’s low build quality combined with malfunctioning auxiliary lighting and numerous other minor issues caused whispers of its doom in 1996. Nevertheless, Honda chose to keep it on the market for at least another year, and considering that only 5,603 vehicles were delivered in 1997, we can’t say that was a great choice.
The interior’s low quality materials were another issue raised by many owners. The Del Sol had a rather plain interior, characteristic of Japanese cars from that era, but it also lacked the modern technology of the time. Additionally, for the first three model years, base models did not come with power side mirrors, a passenger airbag, or even power steering. It somehow had the impression of being less expensive than the CRX.
A little marketing issue also existed. The vehicle received a top-of-the-line 1.6-liter DOHC engine in 1994, which was available in the VTEC form and had 160 horsepower (119 kilowatts). The Si model, which was positioned below it, however, technically had a VTEC engine as well, which confused some customers.
D15B engine: what is it?
Over the course of its manufacturing, the Honda D15B has gone through a total of eight different iterations. The D15B family of engines can be characterized as flexible, to put it mildly, given their wide range of uses. The D15B engines are a component of Honda’s inline four-cylinder family, which also includes the D12 and D17 engines used today. But in this essay, we’ll focus primarily on and talk about the D15B engines’ typical issues, dependability, and performance potential.
Civics made between 1989 and 1995 are most frequently linked with the Honda D15B engine. However, there are numerous additional uses for slightly less well-known models, mostly in auto markets outside of the United States, such Japan, Europe, and Australia. Although many older Honda engines are still preferred by driving enthusiasts throughout the world, these D15Bs may be regarded as outdated.
The Honda D15B engines make enjoyable projects for those looking to increase their power and performance or for drivers who require an engine swap due to the failure of their current engine. These engines are simple to modify, have readily available parts, are straightforward to repair, and have above-average reliability. The D15B is frequently used to replace the entire engine in older Civics with catastrophic engine failure or to repair it. The D15B V-TECs are recognized for their outstanding durability and light weight. The Honda D15B is not flawless, though—that is true of most engines. Let’s explore some of the characteristics and uses of the Honda D15B engine, as well as some of its most frequent issues and general dependability.
What Honda engine has the fastest speed?
Car Crate for a Civic Type R The 2.0-liter DOHC direct-injected i-VTEC Turbo engine in the Civic Type R generates a maximum 295 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm and 306 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, making it the most potent Honda automotive production engine ever produced in America.
How many HP can the b16 produce?
The final output of the turbocharged B16A was 507 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque in nearly stock condition, which was significantly more than the original model’s 171 horsepower. Remember that only some good ol’ tune was required to achieve the 500 horsepower of stock-block B16A deliciousness (excluding forged pistons).