What Del Sol came with B16?
The Del Sol that came with a B16 engine was the JDM/overseas-market version that used Honda’s 1.6L DOHC VTEC B16A family. In the United States, Del Sol models were not offered with a B16 from the factory.
Context: Del Sol and the B-series engines
The Honda CR-X Del Sol, produced from the early 1990s through the late 1990s, offered a range of engines depending on market and trim. The B-series 1.6L DOHC VTEC engines (the B16 family) were used in performance-oriented, non-US-market variants of the Del Sol. In North America, the Del Sol lineup primarily relied on D-series engines, with B-series power being available primarily through imports or swaps.
Which trims and markets offered B16 power
In markets where the B16 was offered, the Del Sol appeared with a 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine in higher-performance trims. The most commonly cited example is the Japanese market CR-X Del Sol SiR/1.6VTEC variants, which used the B16A family (including B16A1/B16A2 in different years). Availability varied by year and region, and US-delivered Del Sols did not come with B16 from the factory.
- Japanese market CR-X Del Sol SiR (1.6L DOHC VTEC, B16A family)
- Other export-market variants that used B16A family engines, depending on year and specification
Engine codes within the B16 family (such as B16A1 and B16A2) differed by year and market and affected tuning and power output.
Engine variants and approximate performance
The B16 family encompasses several 1.6L DOHC VTEC variants. Typical power output for B16A-era engines hovered in the roughly 160–180 horsepower range, with market-specific tuning producing variations in horsepower and torque. The exact figure depended on the specific variant (A1 vs A2) and the emission/compliance configuration for that market.
How to verify if a Del Sol originally had B16
To confirm factory B16 power, check the engine code stamped on the engine block (look for B16A1, B16A2, etc.), and review the vehicle’s original documentation or the VIN/sticker near the engine bay or radiator support. Imports or swaps may show B16 codes even if the US-market car did not come with B16 from the factory.
Notes on popularity and swaps
Because B-series engines are highly popular with Honda enthusiasts, many Del Sols in the market today are swapped to B16 variants. This has contributed to a robust aftersales ecosystem around the Del Sol and its B-series powertrains, even when a specific market didn’t offer B16 as stock equipment.
Summary
The Del Sol that originally came with a B16 engine existed mainly in Japan and some export markets as a higher-performance variant (notably the 1.6L DOHC VTEC B16A-powered trims). North American Del Sols were not factory-equipped with B16 power. If you own a Del Sol with B16, it is most likely a JDM/import model or a factory swap, and it belongs to Honda’s B-series family known for strong high-rev performance.
