The B20 vs K20 Engines are both great engines for Honda cars, but there are some differences between them. This article will compare these two engines in terms of horsepower, torque and other specs so you can decide which one suits your needs.
Let’s begin by stating that these engines are both made by Honda. In fact, they’re made in the same factory, and both share the same block. The difference between these two motors lies in how they’re tuned to achieve their differing characteristics: low-end torque for the B20 and high-rpm horsepower for the K20.
Now let’s break down some of those details so you can understand what makes each engine unique from one another:
The K20 has a more aggressive cylinder head design.
The K20 has a more aggressive design. It has a larger turbo, larger cylinder heads with higher flow ports, and a higher compression ratio.
The B20 uses a DOHC VTEC system.
The B20 uses a DOHC VTEC system. This stands for Dual Overhead Camshaft Variable Valve Timing Electronic Control, which is a variable valve timing system used in Honda engines to improve both performance and fuel economy. The primary camshaft on this engine has two lobes per cylinder, one for intake valves and one for exhaust valves. It also has an additional lobe that operates the secondary set of intake valves located deeper within the head and above another set of exhaust valves: these are called “intake” and “exhaust” cams respectively (but you can call them secondary cams if it helps).
The K20 uses a more advanced i-VTEC system.
The K20 uses a more advanced i-VTEC system that allows for a wider range of valve lift.
The K20’s dual camshaft design means that each cylinder head has two cams and four valves, allowing for increased power output without sacrificing fuel economy.
The K20 uses a variable timing system that allows for a wider range of valve lift, which results in better low end torque and improved fuel economy.
The B20 has an 11.0:1 compression ratio while the K20 has an 11.3:1 compression ratio.
The B20 has an 11.0:1 compression ratio while the K20 has an 11.3:1 compression ratio. The higher the compression ratio, the more air can be compressed in a cylinder and therefore produce more power; however, this also requires higher octane fuel and may not run properly on lower-grade gasoline.
The K20 has a larger turbo, bigger injectors and a higher flow fuel pump.
The K20 has a larger turbo, bigger injectors and a higher flow fuel pump. The B20 has a different cylinder head design, so it’s not going to be as efficient in the same displacement application. It also has an SOHC VTEC system, which isn’t as sophisticated as the K20’s DOHC VTEC design.
These engines are very different in terms of horsepower and torque, but the basic setup is similar enough to be swapped out for one another.
These engines are very different in terms of horsepower and torque, but the basic setup is similar enough to be swapped out for one another. The K20 has an advanced i-VTEC system that allows it to run low compression ratios and still get good mileage, while still producing 240 horsepower at 6300 rpm. The B20 has a higher compression ratio (10:1), but its cylinder head design isn’t as aggressive compared to the K20’s.
The B20 uses larger turbochargers, bigger injectors and a higher flow fuel pump than the K20 does—this gives it more horsepower (and thus torque).
Conclusion
So, what does all this mean? The K20 is a powerful engine with a lot of potential, but it’s not as efficient or reliable in stock form. The B20 has been proven over many years and is likely to be more reliable than the K20 when built up properly. Both engines can be swapped into various vehicles with minimal effort (assuming they use the same transmission). If you’re looking to run turbocharged power on your JDM ride then either will work just fine.