R18 Engine - Half the Battle

These are the VTEC solenoids. Yes, there are three. The R18 has every type of SOHC VTEC ever conceived all slapped into one package.

This one threw us for a loop. It is an exhaust port, on the intake side, that is only about 0.5 inch in diameter, with a tube that jets out into the intake manifold.

After scratching our heads for a bit, we realized that the little exhaust elbow is the end result of the process carried out by the part that challenged us in the first place. It turns out the big contraption that my buddy and I couldn't figure out was an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.

The valve mounts to the exhaust side of the head and uses internal galleys to move exhaust gas to the other side and into the intake manifold. This is nuts.

Another feature that we found curious was the lack of multiple belt grooves on the crank pulley. All of the accessories are driven by one large serpentine belt.

Accordingly, the serpentine uses one very large hydraulic tensioner.

Have you ever seen a plastic valve cover before? Not on a Honda, at least.

These coil on plug packs have, along with timing chains, become standard on Honda motors. Who needs a distributor, right?

I always thought plastic intake manifolds were reserved for BMWs. They work well, though-think Hondata Heat Shield Gasket x1000. Just don't boost on one, unless you want a balloon for a manifold.

Bolt on the fuel rail, drop the mill in, and we're done. 140hp and 129lb-ft of torque, that's a 1.8L motor with LS power and Type R torque. Not bad for a base model, huh?