Thoughts and opinions on the B5 engine

[Zman86]

Came across this while browsing kijiji last night. I don't know if I'm using the Internet wrong, but my search for a B6 of any sort is coming up dry. Would this be a suitable candidate for a swap? My original plan of building a high strung N/A B3 just does not make sense financially.

[moz]

Definitely worth while. The b5 dohc is a great engine

[Zman86]

Any info out there regarding swapping it into a Festiva? Or is it basically the same as a B6D?

[moz]

Same as b6d.
I haven't had the pleasure of owning one since they're hard to find where I am, but from what I've read from other people's accounts, they are exactly the same

[bhazard]

Isn't it a longer block like the BP? I thought it was basically a destroked BP.

[moz]

I thought the exact same thing until a friend of mine sent me a photo of the BP and b5 valve covers. The b5 is around 20mm shorter

[moz]

[Zman86]

Seem to be plenty of them up here, B6's are non existent it seems. I will definatly be considering this as an option.

[TominMO]

De-stroked BP/B8 makes no sense. They already have the B6D to de-stroke, so that is what it probably is. The valve covers are the proof.

[bhazard]

You're right. It's a destroked b6d. Same stroke as the b1 actually with a 10mm bigger bore.

[Eaglefreek]

According to some info I found searching the net, the B5D has more HP than the B6D.

Info from wikipedia for the B5 and Mazda-Club.eu for the B6D

B5
120 HP at 6,500 rpm
98 LB.-FT. at 5,500 RPM

B6
107 HP at 6.200 RPM
97 LB.-FT. at 4,000 RPM

Having the max torque at a lower RPM is much better for a street car, though.

[blake4591]

If you can get it the DOHC B5 is a good engine. The shorter stroke will make it more rev happy than the B6 which sounds like your original plan for the B3. The difference in low end torque is probably minimal since I think the B5 has some intake charge montion valve (VICS on the BP) and the B6 does not.

[Zman86]

So it's looking like this will be a good choice for a swap then. I've emailed the seller to clarify the price, as it is listed on kijiji, eBay and their website at three different prices.

My next question is will the stock four speed handle this engine or will I have to start looking for a transmission swap as well?

[bhazard]

Stock trans will be okay as long as you don't abuse it. You'll need a better clutch than stock though.

[Zman86]

I'd preferably like to upgrade the trans so I can beat on it without worry, but I'm already lost with this engine swapping business, and the transmission seems even more complicated to change out. Not to mention availability of engine/transmission swap parts are slim to none up here.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but what are my options as far as transmissions go to mate to the B5?