How much horsepower does a Honda B17 engine have?
The Honda B17 engine typically delivers about 170 horsepower in stock form. Exact output varies by model year, market, and whether the engine carries VTEC, with some export versions tuned slightly differently.
What is the B17 engine?
The B17 designation refers to a 1.7-liter inline-four that appeared in a limited run of Honda/Acura models in the early 1990s. It sits alongside the more common B16 and B18 families and, in some variants, features VTEC for variable valve timing. Because the B17 was not widely used across all markets, horsepower figures are less standardized than for the broader B-series lineup.
Horsepower figures by variant and market
The following outlines typical horsepower figures for the B17 family, depending on variant and market. Note that factory ratings are engine- and market-specific; actual power delivered on the road may vary due to exhaust, intake, altitude and tuning.
- B17A1 (1.7L DOHC VTEC): approximately 170 PS (about 167–170 hp) in stock form.
- Export/US-market variants: commonly reported in the mid-160s to high-170s horsepower, depending on emissions equipment and tuning.
- Racing or heavily modified builds: stock engines hover around the 170 hp mark, while tuned examples can exceed 180 hp, though these are not representative of factory ratings.
In practice, most stock B17 engines sit in roughly the 165–170 hp range, with small variations by year and market. For definitive figures, consult the original factory specification sheets for the exact model/year you’re evaluating.
Notes on measurement and real-world performance
horsepower figures published by manufacturers are typically measured at the engine crank (crank horsepower) and can differ from wheel horsepower measured on a dyno. Real-world performance also depends on how the car is built, including intake/exhaust, gearing and transmission losses.
Summary
The Honda B17 engine is a relatively rare member of the B-series, but its stock horsepower is commonly cited around 170 hp, with minor variations by market and year. When evaluating a specific vehicle, refer to the exact factory specifications for that variant to understand the official rating.
