The Mazda B engine family is a four cylinder SOHC and DOHC engine family ranging from 1.3 L to 1.8 L. It was designed for front-wheel drive economy car applications but was later modified for the turbocharged full-time 4WD 323 GTX and rear-wheel drive Miata as well as numerous other models.
B3
1.3 L B3 - 1324 cc (71x83.6 mm) - Mazda's first B-family engine. It was available in SOHC and DOHC variants and was found in the Mazda-built Ford Festiva, the 1987-1989 Mazda Familia and the 1987-1989 Ford Laser. Later variants were used in the Mazda Demio microcar as late as 1999.
B5
1.5 L B5 - 1498 cc (77x80 mm) - The SOHC B5 upped the displacement to 1.5 L and was found in the rear-wheel drive 1977 Familia/GLC, the 1987-1989 Mazda Familia and the 1987-1989 Ford Laser. Later variants were used in the Kia Sportage, Ford Festiva and Mazda Demio microcar as late as 1999.
B6
1.6 L B6 - 1597 cc (78x83.6 mm) - This was a bored-out version of the B3. The 8-valve SOHC B6 was found in the 1985-1989 Mazda 323 and 1990-1992 Mazda Protege. The B6 produced 82 hp (61 kW).
In Japan and Australia a fuel-injected version called the B6F was available.
An unusual SOHC 16-valve head was later added for the 1992-1993 Mazda MX-3 and dubbed the B6-2E.
B6T
1.6 L B6T - 1597 cc (78x83.6 mm) - The ubiquitous turbocharged, fuel-injected and intercooled 16-valve DOHC B6, released in 1985 and used in numerous models worldwide including the 323 GT-X, 1985-1989 Mazda Familia GT-X/GT/Infini, 1985-1989 Ford Laser TX3 turbo, and later Mercury Capris. This engine was most commonly found mated to a 4WD drivetrain although FWD models were also available. Power and torque outputs varied across markets due to emission and fuel standards, but the Japanese version of the B6T was the most powerful, producing 147 hp (110 kW) and 137 ft.lbf (186 Nm).
B6D
1.6 L B6D - 1597 cc (78x83.6 mm) - The same strengthened and fuel-injected DOHC B6 as the B6T, but with no turbo. Most commonly found in the Japanese market Familias, Etudes and Lasers, this engine was also used in the '89-'93 Mazda Miata and Mercury Capri.
B8
The 1.8 L (1839 cc) B8 is not just a bored- and stroked- B6. Rather, a new block with widened cylinder spacing is used. The bore was 83 mm and the stroke was 85 mm. This SOHC engine was used in the Mazda 323.
BP
The BP is an improved DOHC variant of the 1.8 L B8.
Applications:
BPT
The BPT is a turbocharged and intercooled variant of the BP. It produced 179 hp (134 kW) and 174 ft.lbf (237 Nm) of torque. A detuned variant of the BPT with considerably less power (due to fuel standards) was sold in Australia. The hottest version was used in the Mazda Familia GT-R, producing 206 hp (154 kW) and 184 ft.lbf (250 Nm).
Applications:
BP-4W
The 1999 Miata uses a modified BP, the BP-4W, which adds a VICS intake, replaces the old Hall Effect Cam Angle Sensor with a magnetic unit at the front, and has an improved intake system. The United States 2004-2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 turbo is based on this engine rather than the newer BP-Z3 and produces 178 hp and 166 ft.lbf with slightly-reduced compression.
Applications:
BP-Z3
In 2001, Mazda introduced the BP-Z3 (also called BP-VE) variant of the BP engine with S-VT variable valve timing on the intake side, but no more VICS. This was found in the 2001+ Miata. The Z family is an evolution of this engine.
In Australia, a turbocharged version of this engine produced 201 hp (150 kW) and 206 ft.lbf (280 Nm) in the Mazda MX-5 SP. The United States 2004-2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 turbo is a BP-4W, not a BP-Z3.
Applications:
See also
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01