Honda Civic VTi-R vs Civic Type R Comparison
Australian VTi-R
Standard Specifications:Model VariantVTi-R Car Series EK4Year1995-1998Doors and Body Style3DR Hatch
Engine Size1595cc B16A2Fuel SystemMULTI POINT F/INJ Cylinders4 Transmission5MStandard Features15" Alloy Wheels, 4 Speaker Stereo, ABS (Antilock Brakes), Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt & Reach, Air Conditioning, Airbags - Driver & Passenger (Dual), Central Locking, Engine Immobiliser, Paint - Metallic, Power Door Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows, Radio Cassette, Sunroof - Electric and Tilt, Suspension - Sports, Seats - Sport bucket, Centre Console with dual cup holder, Rear seat head restraints, Digital ClockOptional Features
Available ColoursFrost White (NH-538)
Milano Red (R-81)
Dark amethyst pearl (PB-74P)
Vogue silver metallic (NH-583M)
Cypress green pearl (G82P)Bore and Stroke81x87.2mm Power118KW / 160HP @7600rpmTorque148Nm / 15.1kgm @7000rpmWeight to Power Ratio7.71 : 1kg/kW Front BrakesVented Discs, ABSRear BrakesDisc Wheel Dimension
195-55-15
Turning Circle9.8m Compression Ratio10.2 Final Ratio4.4 Tank Capacity45 litres Exterior Length4180mm Exterior Width1695mm Exterior Height1375mm Front Track1475mm Rear Track1475mm Wheel Base2620mm Front SuspensionInd; double wishbones with coil springs gas damper and stabiliser barsRear SuspensionInd; double wishbones with coil springs gas damper and stabiliser barsKerb Weight1105kg Ground Clearance106mm Seating Capacity 4 Exhaust ManifoldCast 4-2-1 style exhaust manifold1/4 Mile time16.2
Civic Type R
Standard Specifications:Model VariantTYPE R Car Series EK9Year1997 - 2001Doors and Body Style3DR Hatch
Engine Size1595cc B16B Spec RFuel SystemMULTI POINT F/INJ Cylinders4 Transmission5M with LSDStandard Features15" Alloy Wheels, Rear Spoiler, Momo Steering Wheel, RecarosOptional FeaturesCentral Locking, Power Windows, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Radio Cassette with 4 Speakers, Dual Airbag Package, ABS
CosmeticsLeather wrapped MOMO Steering wheel with SRS airbag, Red Carpet, Red Arm rests, Red Floormats with Type R badging, Titanium gear shifter, Red stiched boot, Carbon centre dash console with Type R badge, Type R Instument cluster, Carbon dash bezel, Emergency Flare, No Coin holder, Red Recaro seats, Bodykit, Red exterior badging, Colour coded exterior panelsBore and Stroke81x87.2mm Power136KW / 185PS @8200rpmTorque16.3kgm @7500rpmWeight to Power Ratio7.37 : 1kg/kW Front BrakesLarger Vented Disc , ABS (optional)Rear BrakesDisc Wheel Dimension
195-55-15 Enkei 5 stud PCD
Turning Circle9.8m Compression Ratio10.8Final Ratio4.4Tank Capacity50litres Exterior Length4185mm Exterior Width1695mm Exterior Height1360mm Front Track1480mm Rear Track1480mm Wheel Base2620mm Front SuspensionInd; double wishbones with coil springs gas damper Rear SuspensionInd; double wishbones with coil springs gas damper and trailing linkKerb Weight1059kg (97 Spec) 1089kg (98 Spec)Ground Clearance105mm Seating Capacity4 Exhaust Manifold4-2-1 style stainless steel exhaust manifold1/4 Mile time15.5
Civic Type R Variations
The legendary EK Civic Type R was first introduced in late 1997. It arrived in the shadows of the already badged Type R of the Integra Type R and the NSX Type R. This EK has been at the forefront of an engineering marvel by producing a whopping 116horsepower per litre of its 1595cc naturally aspirated engine. But enough of the worshipping and lets look at the different types of cosmetic differences found in the EK Civic Type R mould.
August 1997
Civic Type R - Standard version No power options - race trim
Weight 1059kg
September 1998
Civic Type R - Fully optioned version Cosmetic change to front & rear bumpers, Design change in headlight shape, Power Mirrors, Power Windows, Power Steering, Radio Cassette with 4 Speakers (a double din stereo center console was also available), Dual Airbag Package, ABS.
Weight 1089kg
December 1999
Civic Type R - Type Rx All features of the previous version including; Retractable electric door mirrors, Keyless entry unlock system, Aluminum sports pedals. 4 colours were available for sale.
Weight 1099kg
The Type R Comparison
Different pistons are responsible for the compression ratio increases between 160hp & 170hp B16A and the 10.8 ratio for B16B. Readily apparent is the relatively modest change in piston top between B16A 160hp and B16A 170hp for the 10.2 to 10.4 change. However, the radically different piston top for B16B is very clear from the picture. The increase in compression ratio between B16B from B16A is 0.4.
The cut-outs on the piston top to accomodate for valve lift are basically the same between all three piston. This means the B16B camshafts can be installed into both 160ps and 170ps B16A without the need to change to B16B pistons.
On B16B, the inlet ports are manually ported to increase air-flow. The exhaust ports are identical to B16A.
B16B intake valve seats are at a different angle to B16A, 45 degrees vs 60 degrees. The intake valves are also different, being lighter and having a thinner valve stem.
On the left are the power curves for B16A 170hp versus B16B. Note the big gain in power after 6000rpm, the VTEC switch-over point between mild and wild cam profiles. The gain at extreme high rpms is readily apparent on the curves. Various individual specifications for B16B can teach us about the feasibility of various modifications to B16A. For eg, the throttle bore diameter for B16B is identical to B16A at 60mm. This means that enlarged throttle bodies for B16A might not be an optimal mod or that a compromise in power delivery might result, eg loss of low-end power in return for gain in high-end power. Note that B16B has identical low and mid range power as B16A.
As with B18C Spec R, the wonder of B16B is the assurance of a 15 to 25hp gain in power on a B16A provided the tuning done by Honda can be completely replicated. Nevertheless even if only a portion can be duplicated, combining with properly designed aftermarket exhaust, headers, and intake could still potentially realize this 15hp gain. B16B engine parts are available from Honda and with care, most of them can be used on B16A for good power gains.
The camshaft profiles (wild cam) change from B16A2 and B16B are :
Cam ProfileB16A2 160psJDM B16A 170psB16B 98RMax Lift (IN/EX)10.4/9.410.7/9.411.5/10.5Open Timing (IN/EX)BTDC 10/BTDC 40BTDC 15/BBDC 40BTDC 18/BBDC 45Close Timing (IN/EX)ABDC 40/ATDC 5ABDC 45/ATDC 7BTDC 45/ATDC 10
In order to increase the power output by 15 hp, and the max RPM by 200RPM, the engine goes through many upgrades. It should be noted that the B18C spec.R's cylinder block is used for its endurance.
