Honda engines are known for their ease of modifications, and their ability to give positive results when tuned properly. Honda Engines are a good example of an engine that responds well to Engine tuning.
Honda Engine Traits
High Flow Cylinder Heads
Honda engines breathe well. This is due to the large ports in the cylinder heads, and large valves. Most Honda engines could handle a lot more intake air if they were not impeded by the standard plastic intake system. Honda's intake manifolds are quite well designed, but the plastic intake system is designed for quietness and ease of manufacture. Replacing this convoluted intake system with a smooth metal tube, and replacing the air filter with a lower restriction one placed in the front bumper, outside of the engine bay for colder air, leads to good performance and efficiency gains.
High Level of Refinement
Honda engines are balanced very well and run smoothly at high RPM's.
VTEC
Honda is known for its VTEC cam system. This system allows the engine to have two completely different cam lobes for different characteristics. One cam lobe is tuned for low-end torque and a good idle, while the other is tuned for high-end power and efficiency. Honda found a replacement for turbochargers in its VTEC engines.
Reliability
Honda is also known for its engines longevity and reliability. There are several Integras with the B18B LS engine that have 700,000 km+ on them with all original parts.
Honda V6 engines
