THE 1996-1998-2001 CRV RD1

The car was first introduced in Japan in 1995 as Honda’s first in-house designed SUV. In fact, it can probably lay claim to being one of the first compact SUVs–a leader in a segment that seems to be ubiquitous in many markets.

Hiroyuki Kawase designed the first model of this car, which Honda began manufacturing in 1997. Since then, several theories have come about to explain what the “CR-V” stands for. “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle” is what you see in early promotional materials, but also “Compact Recreational Vehicle”, and “Civic Recreational Vehicle” have all been suggested. Whatever its official title, the Honda CR-V is currently in its fourth generation, with a new model released each year and major changes made every several years.

Engine Honda B20B and B20Z

-The first generation of Honda CR-Vs featured two types of trim levels: LX and EX, but both are equipped with a two-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 126 liters.

The B20B and B20Z engine (147 hp) which outwardly almost did not differ in any way from the internal combustion engine of the Honda Integra 1.8 l, but had an increased cylinder diameter (84 mm).

The construction and dimensions are almost identical. Both power trains were offered with a five-speed manual or four-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with the choice of front- and four-wheel drivetrains.

The B20B and B20Z engine is Honda’s most popular and largest B-Series engine. The representatives of this series are based on an aluminum cylinder block with steel liners. The engine has a twin-shaft head with sixteen valves. It uses a timing belt that requires timely replacement to avoid breaking it. The engine does not have hydraulic lifters, so it is necessary to periodically adjust the valves. There is no VTEC variable valve timing system.

The 2.0-liter Honda B20B and B20Z engine was produced from 1995 to 2001 and is primarily known for the first generation of the CR-V crossover. The B20B and B20Z motor existed in two generations, which differ only in the degree of forcing.

Disadvantages of the Honda B20B and B20Z engine

• This power unit is very reliable, rarely breaks down and only at high mileage;

• Most often, owners are faced with oil leaks through camshaft seals;

• There are breakdowns in the cooling system. The weak point here is the pump and thermostat;

• After 150–200 thousand kilometers, the risk of a sudden breakdown of the cylinder head gasket increases;

• Every 40,000 km, valve adjustment is required, since there are no hydraulic lifters.

Above all, things assure that if it is routinely maintained, it is unlikely to cause any serious mechanical problems and is very reliable.

Interior, Trim And Practicality

-By embracing the compact crossover body style and unibody chassis, Honda was able to create a car with small exterior proportions and generous interior space.

In the front row, the driver and passenger are treated to 40.5 inches of headroom and 41.5 inches of legroom. This is more than enough for anyone standing taller than 6’4”. The rear is a bit more cramped with its headroom figure of 39.2 inches and legroom of 36.7 inches. The CR-V does not disappoint in the cargo department, where it offers 29.6 cubic feet. This is more than enough room to fit four large suitcases for a family weekend away. When you fold the seat down, cargo space is expanded to 67.2 cubic feet. Both LX and EX trims have fabric interior upholstery. Soft-touch plastic trimmings are used throughout the interior together with a polyurethane steering wheel.

Storage compartments throughout the cabin are generous as well, with sizable bins for the front and rear doors. There are cupholders with a center tray table between the driver and passenger seats. Automatic models have console cup holders as well.

Size

-As a “compact SUV”, the CR-V is both large enough to meet the needs of a family and small enough to be driven and parked comfortably. The car can seat up to five people and thus work whether your family includes one, two, three or more other people; it also has plenty of storage space to fit into everyone’s belongings. At the same time, you’ll never have trouble fitting into a parking space or feel like the vehicle is too cumbersome.

Price

-The CR-V is reasonably priced and as a compact SUV you will find you get more car for your money (as well as 4WD safety) for the kind of money you used to have to pay for a family sedan.

Crv is in the price range that will not burn a hole in your pocket. It's affordable price so people can afford to buy.

Where Honda has been overtaken in the compact SUV segment is in the areas of style and exclusivity. Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque and Porsche’s Macan easily beat the bland CR-V in this department, illustrating a problem bedeviling many Japanese manufacturers–how to translate underlying quality into the surface style and panache that commands premium prices.

Features

•The CR-V has a spacious, practical and well-designed interior with comfortable seats, many containers and pockets for storing various items, including a box under the front passenger seat.

•The second row of seats fold down to free up additional cargo space while creating a perfectly flat floor.

•Spare wheel cover.

•A folding picnic table.

• The safety of the driver and passengers is provided by two airbags, reinforcement elements of the frame and doors.

• 4-speed automatic transmission.

• 5-speed was added mechanical box gear shifting.

Modifications

-Tuning a Honda CR-V RD1 is a rare occurrence. Usually, owners are limited to installing kenguryatniks and tinted windows. Sometimes other discs and mud tires are installed in the car.

Factory Specifications

•JDM B20B, B20Z AWD, Automatic, Manual, EX LX model

Performance Modifications

•Rebuilt JDM B20B swap B20Z swap

Interior Modifications

•Fresh OEM interior, OEM floor mats, JDM Red Hazard, Starlight headliner, Double din radio for rear view camera, OEM tweeter pods, JDM center cup holder console, suede wrapped panels, JDM KMH cluster, JDM Handle bars, custom rear audio set up.

Exterior Modifications

•Nighthawk Black Pearl with Extra Pearl, JDM Original Front Bumper, Modulo Original Overrider, Modulo Fullmark Original Overrider Skid Plate, Raybrig Foglights, Modulo Front and Rear Lips, JDM Original Front Grille, Modulo Original Side Skirts, Modulo Original Foglight Covers, OEM Folding Side Mirrors, OEM JDM Rear Wing, JDM Original Rear Bumper and Trunk, Depo Clear Sidemarkers, Depo 50/50 Taillights, Rear Wiper Delete, OEM Roof Rack, Antenna Shaved, OEM Chrome Door Handles, Weathertech window visors, LED puddle lights underglow, Opt8 LED underglow, LED lighting all around, JDM Rear back up mirror.

Wheels

Lowered :

•Oem Alloy Wheels, Konig, ENKEI, COSMIS, TSW, KANSEI, BBS, AODHAN, VolkRacing, Work, Weds, HayashiRacing, VMR, RAYS, Fifteen52, Superspeed, SSR, XXR, Rota, Apex.

Lifted :

•Trail Master, Pro Camp, Rota Grids, Relation race wheels, BLACK RHINO WHEELS, DIRTY LIFE WHEELS, STEALTH CUSTOM SERIES WHEELS, KMC WHEELS, METHOD RACE WHEELS, FUEL OFFROAD WHEELS, WORK WHEEL USA.

Tires

Lowered :

•Yokohama, Falken Tire, Sumitomo Tire, ToyoTires, Bridgestone, Achilles, kumho, Dunlop.

Lifted :

•BFGoodrich, General Grabber

, Grappler, Cooper Discoverer, Dick Cepek Extreme Country, Mickey Thompson, Firestone Destination, Federal Couragia, Goodyear, Motomaster, Yokohama.

Suspension

Lowered:

•Fortune Auto 500, MPC Front Drop Forks, MPC Rear Lower Control Arms, Extended Top Hats, Truhart Front Camber Arms, Truhart Rear Camber Arms.

Lifted:

•Truhart adjustable front, rear camber kit for lifted, Aerogenics front upper control arm spacers, HRG 2 2.0” front spacers, HRG 2 3.5” rear spacers, HRG complete set of subframe spacers, HRGEngine spacer set, HRG Trailing arm spacer set, HRG Steering shaft extension, Old Man Emu springs.

Disc brake conversion

• Hand brake cables 94-97 accord.

• Rear calipers right and left 97-01 Prelude Bb6.

• Rear disc and pads 97- 01 Prelude Bb6

• Bracket for conversion made by Greg.

Audio, Video, and Technology

•Custom rear trunk set up. 2/15 turbo box, 4 10in mids, 4 PH drivers, 4 super tweeters, custom panels and LED RGB lighting, 2 Limitless Lithium Cyber 12k, SINGER 320 Alternator, custom radio box, rear view camera, starlight headliner.

Under the hood

•High flow fuel injector, Ported and polished head, Power/Sport clutch, fuel pump upgrades, Fast road cam.

•Engine balancing, competition cam, internal engine upgrades (pistons/head/valves), adding or upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Sports gearbox.

•GS-R cylinder head; LS block; RS Machine pistons; SCAT connecting rods; ACL Race engine bearings; ARP head studs; Skunk2 Racing throttle body and intake manifold; Comp Turbo turbocharger; Turbo-Guard air filter; Sheepey Built intercooler and piping; Turbosmart blow-off valve and 38mm wastegate; Turbo Elements exhaust manifold; Sheepey Built downpipe with electronic cutout; Grams Performance fuel pump and 1,000cc/min. fuel injectors; AEM fuel rail; custom half-size radiator; SPAL cooling fan; Hondata S300 engine management; Clutch Masters FX500 clutch; ’08 Element differential.

Despite of mechanical issues, fix and go staff and many more.

The Crv offers an excellent blend of everyday drivability, low running costs in terms of repair and fuel bills, and just enough handling prowess and power to have fun.

It's a family car that has the underpinnings of a race car, as well as several driving characteristics that make it an excellent driver’s car.

It’s a Honda. It likes to rev, it’ll pull all the way to its 6800rpm redline, and it’ll go on forever.