Honda L15A L15B

Honda L15A engine (L15B)


  1. Specifications
  2. Overview, problems
  3. Performance tuning

Honda L15A/L15B engine specs

Manufacturer Ogawa plant
Also called Honda L15
Production 2002-present
Cylinder block alloy Aluminum
Configuration Inline-4
Valvetrain DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
SOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Piston stroke, mm (inch) 89.4 (3.52)
Cylinder bore, mm (inch) 73 (2.87)
Compression ratio 10.2
10.4
10.6
10.8
11.5
13.5
Displacement 1496 cc (91.3 cu in)
Power output 66 kW (90 HP) at 5,500 rpm
73 kW (100 HP) at 6,000 rpm
80 kW (110 HP) at 5,800 rpm
83 kW (114 HP) at 6,000 rpm
86 kW (117 HP) at 6,600 rpm
88 kW (120 HP) at 6,600 rpm
95 kW (130 HP) at 6,600 rpm
111 kW (152 HP) at 6,600 rpm
127 kW (174 HP) at 6,000 rpm
141 kW (192 HP) at 5,500 rpm
150 kW (205 HP) at 5,700 rpm
Torque output 131 Nm (96 lb·ft) at 2,700 rpm
119 Nm (87 lb·ft) at 5,000 rpm
143 Nm (105 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
145 Nm (106 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
145 Nm (106 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
145 Nm (106 lb·ft) at 4,800 rpm
155 Nm (114 lb·ft) at 4,600 rpm
190 Nm (140 lb·ft) at 4,600 rpm
220 Nm (162 lb·ft) at 1,700-5,500 rpm
260 Nm (192 lb·ft) at 1,600-5,000 rpm
260 Nm (192 lb·ft) at 2,100-5,000 rpm
Redline 7,000 (L15B7)
HP per liter 60
67
73
76
78
80
87
101
116
128
137
Fuel type Gasoline
Weight, kg (lbs) 100 (220) – L15A
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg)
-City

-Highway
-Combined
Honda Civic 1.5T
7.6 (31)
5.6 (42)

6.7 (35)
Turbocharger  Naturally aspirated
Mitsubishi TD03 (L15B7)
Oil consumption , L/1000 km
(qt. per miles)
up to 0.5
(1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil 0W-30
5W-30
5W-40
10W-40
Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) 3.6 (3.8)
Oil change interval, km (miles) 5,000-10,000
(3,000-6,000)
Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F)
Engine lifespan, km (miles)
-Official information
-Real


300,000+ (180,000)
Tuning, HP
-Max HP
-No life span loss

200+

The engine is installed in Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda CR-V
Honda Fit/Jazz
Honda HR-V/Vezel
Acura ILX
Honda BR-V
Honda City
Honda CR-Z
Honda Freed
Honda Mobilo

Honda L15A (L15B) engine reliability, problems and repair

Honda L15A i-VTEC engineThis largest Honda L-series engine was shown in 2002 in the Honda Fit car. He replaced the very famous D15 engine. Honda L15 got a more compact 220 mm high aluminum cylinder block. A 89.4 mm stroke crankshaft was installed inside this cylinder block, the length of connecting rods was 149 mm, piston size was 73 mm, and their compression height was 26.15 mm. It is easy to calculate that the displacement was 1.5 liters.
A 16-valve DOHC VTEC head was installed on top of this cylinder block. The VTEC system was triggered at 3,400 rpm.
Valves should to be adjusted after every 30,000 miles. L15A valve clearances (cold) are the following: intake 0.15-0.19 mm, exhaust 0.26-0.3 mm.
The camshaft was rotated by a timing chain which does not require maintenance throughout the entire service life.
This was an engine for relaxed driving across the city, so they used an intake manifold with long runners, which allowed to increase the low-mid range torque. The exhaust system was made of stainless steel and used an EGR valve.
There was a version with two spark plugs per cylinder that was called i-DSI. These engines were equipped with 8-valve SOHC heads. These vehicles were designed to save fuel and reduce harmful emissions.
In addition, version L15B was made with an i-VTEC DOHC head.
In 2015, turbocharged version L15B7 was made.
Hybrid LEA and LEB engines were also developed based on L15A and L15B.
Below you will find a more detailed description of the differences between these two versions.
In addition to L15, Honda L-series includes L12 and L13 engines.

Honda L15 engine modifications and differences

1. L15A1 was the first modification with a 16-valve SOHC VTEC head. Here the 43 mm exhaust system was used, the compression ratio was 10.4, and the power was 110 HP @ 5,800 rpm, and the torque was 143 Nm @ 4,800 rpm.
L15A1 was installed in Honda Fit, Mobilio, Airwave, and Fit Aria.
2. L15A2 was an engine with the i-DSI system, where two spark plugs were used per cylinder. An 8-valve non-VTEC SOHC head with a 38 mm exhaust system were used here, the compression ratio was 10.8. The power was 90 HP @ 5,500 rpm, and the torque was 131 Nm @ 2,700 rpm.
This engine can be found in Honda Fit Aria and City.
3. L15A7 was an improved version that was created in 2009. It featured new intake and exhaust manifolds, modified pistons, lightweight connecting rods, and an improved cooling system. New 2-stage i-VTEC system that works for the intake valves was also installed here. The size of intake valves was increased to 28 mm, and the weight of rocker arms was reduced. As a result, the power increased to 117 HP @ 6,300 rpm, and the torque was 145 Nm @ 4,800 rpm.
4. L15B (L15B1) was a version with i-VTEC DOHC head and with variable VTC valve timing system for the intake camshaft. The size of intake valves was increased to 29 mm, and of exhaust valves – to 25 mm. A plastic intake manifold was used here.
In addition, this engine is characterized by presence of oil jets, a lightened crankshaft with 4 counterweights, new pistons, the compression ratio increased to 11.5. The power of L15B1 increased to 130 HP @ 6,000 rpm, and the torque was 155 Nm @ 4,600 rpm.
5. L15B Turbo (L15B7) was a turbocharged version with direct injection system. This engine uses oil jets, lightweight pistons were installed in the engine, with the compression ratio of 10.6.
A DOHC head with direct injection system and variable VTC valve timing system for the intake and exhaust camshafts was created for this engine.
A small Mitsubishi TD03 turbocharger was used here, which generates the boost pressure of 16.5 PSI (1.1 bar).
As a result, power reached 174 HP @ 6,000 rpm, and the torque was 220 Nm @ 1,700 to 5,500 rpm.
For Honda Accord, the boost pressure was increased to 18.5 PSI (1.24 bar) and reached 192 HP @ 5,500 rpm, with the torque of 260 Nm @ 1,500 to 4,000 rpm.
6. L15B7 Civic Si was a modified L15B7 with compression ratio reduced to 10.3 and boost pressure increased to 20.3 PSI (1.38 bar). The power was 205 HP @ 5,700 rpm, and the torque was 260 Nm @ 2,100 to 5,000 rpm.
7. L15Z was an engine with 16-valve i-VTEC SOHC head. The compression ratio was 10.3, the power was 120 HP @ 6,600 rpm, and the torque was 145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm. It can be found in vehicles for South Africa and Asia.
8. LEA was a hybrid version for Honda CR-Z and Honda Fit Hybrid. It got a 16-valve i-VTEC SOHC head. The i-VTEC works for the intake valves and is triggered at 2,300 rpm. It also uses a new intake manifold, an electronic throttle body, and an improved exhaust system made of stainless steel. The engine power was 113 HP. This engine was paired with an electric motor, its power was 13 HP. So the maximum power of the electric motor and the gasoline engine can be achieved in various ranges, their joint power was 122 HP @ 6,000 rpm, and the torque was 174Nm @ 1,000-1,750 rpm.
9. LEB was a hybrid engine for Honda Vezel. A 16-valve i-VTEC DOHC head with direct injection system was used here. The compression ratio was 11.5, the power was 132 HP @ 6,600 rpm, and the torque was 156 Nm @ 4,600 rpm. The electric motor power was 30 HP The total power was 152 HP @ 6,600 rpm, and the torque was 190 Nm @ 4,600 rpm.
For Honda Fit Hybrid, a LEB engine was created that ran on the Atkinson cycle. It featured the compression ratio increased to 13.5, and a multipoint fuel injection system. The power was 100 HP @ 6,000 rpm, and the torque was 119 Nm @ 5,000 rpm.

Honda L15A/L15B engine problems and malfunctions

Reliability of L15A, L15B and other L-engines is very high, they can cover hundreds of thousands of miles without any problems. Owners of L15A i-DSI should remember that they have 2 spark plugs per cylinder, and all spark plugs are to be replaced, not half of them.
As a result, with regular maintenance and the use of high quality engine oil, you can count on long lifespan of the engine.

Honda L15 engine tuning

L15A NA Build

It does not make since investing into a naturally aspirated L15A and L15B, since you will spend a lot and gain little. However, let’s consider one of the variants. If you have an L15A VTEC, buy a cold air intake system, a large throttle body, do head porting, install a 4-2-1 header, a 2.25″ performance exhaust system and a Greddy E-manage Ultimate. Tune the ECU, and you will get up to 135 HP.
You might say, that’s not enough, I want a Bisimoto camshaft, an aftermarket intake manifold or an ITB, high compression pistons and a lot more.
We will answer: buy the gorgeous JDM K20A engine, and you will be able to make your even their wildest fantasies come true.

L15B Turbo

Owners of turbocharged L15B7 are in the best position, they haven’t problems; chip-tuning is enough to raise the boost pressure to 23 PSI (1.6 bar) and this will yield about 190 WHP. Want more? Then you will need some performance parts, such as a cold air intake system, a front intercooler, an aftermarket exhaust system and a Hondata ECU. With the maximum boost pressure of 27 PSI (1.8-1.85 bar), you can get about 210 WHP.
For owners of naturally aspirated L15B, an HKS turbo kit is sold. It will let you get 150+ horsepower. It is not critical for the engine, L15B stock internals can withstand up to 200 HP. The only problem is the price of the turbo kit + its installation, which may be compared with the price of your Honda Fit.

<<<<<