The Mazda B Engine
The Mazda B engine was a family of small-sized iron-block, inline four-cylinder engines from 1.1L to 1.8L displacement. They were used in a variety of models, including the Mazda Protege and Mazda Miata.
The B-Series was sold in regular and extended-cab body styles with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The B2300 SE-5 had a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, while the B3000 and B4000 had a 3.0- or 4.0-liter V6.
1.1L
Mazda’s B6 and larger BP series engines of the late ’80s combined sophisticated turbochargers with multi-valve technology. They were a key part of the Mazda’s era of Group A rallying success, and produced great power for their cubic capacity.
The 1.1L is a bored and stroked version of the B6. It is found in some Australian and American 323s and the 1990-1994 Mazda Protege ES.
In the Japanese market versions of the Familia and Eunos Presso, this engine was updated in 1989 with revised compression, heads and intake system. It produced 125 PS (92 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 13.2 kgf*m (129 Nm; 95 lbft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.
1.2L
The B engine is a four-cylinder, inline-four that Mazda has been producing since the 1970s. It’s a great choice for small Japanese cars because it can produce lots of torque in a compact size.
Unlike other Japanese automakers, however, Mazda has a unique approach to its engines. The company’s engines are divided into families.
The 1.2L was the first member of the series, and it’s the smallest engine produced by Mazda. It was designed especially for front-wheel drive applications.
1.8L
Mazda B engines are a line of inline-four and six cylinder SOHC eight valve gasoline-powered cars that were produced by Mazda from 1961 to 2006. All models use MPFI (multi-port fuel injection) meaning that one injector is injected per port as the valve opens.
The 1.8L BP turbo is a high-revving DOHC inline-four that uses a reshaped combustion chamber, raised piston crowns, stronger rods, water-to-oil cooler, larger sodium filled valves and more aggressive camshafts. It also has a match-ported intake manifold and 70 percent larger intercooler for more boost.
The engine was installed on a variety of Mazda Familia ‘Interplay X’ (1994-1997) and Ford Laser-badged versions of the Familia. It produces 125 PS (92 kW) at 7,000 rpm and 13.2 kgm (129 Nm; 95 lbft) at 6,000 rpm.
2.2L
The 2.2L engine is used in many Mazda models, both in the US and elsewhere. It is a four-cylinder, naturally aspirated, straight-4 piston engine.
Initially, this engine was used in the Mazda B-Series and Mazda Navajo pickup trucks. It was replaced by a 2.6L, fuel-injected motor in 1989.
The B-Series was sold in North America from 1972 to 1995. It was essentially an enlarged Ford Courier, developed by Mazda’s partnership with Ford.
2.4L
A 2.4L Mazda B engine is the base powerplant of many B-Series models. Its small size makes it ideal for front-wheel drive economy applications.
It’s a good choice for off-road vehicles as well. It’s a strong performer, producing 125 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 122 lbft of torque at 4250 rpm.
Until 2009, this engine was the most fuel-efficient of its type in its class. In fact, it was ranked as the best fuel-efficient compact truck in several years by Natural Resources Canada.
The B series also spawned an off-road version named the Proceed Marvie. It was sold as a badge-engineered Ford Raider from 1991 to 1997.
2.5L
The Mazda B engine is a small-sized iron-block inline four-cylinder motor that was used from 1961 to 2006. It was produced by Mazda from 1.1L to 1.8L and was used in many applications, including full-time 4WD vehicles.
The engine was a non-interference design, meaning that when the timing belt breaks, it doesn’t damage the valves or pistons. This was a key feature to ensure reliability in the long run.
For North America, Mazda rebadged the Ford Ranger and sold it under the B series name. The Ranger-based trucks shared a common design with the Proceed, and were available in a number of body styles and powertrain configurations.
