What engine is in a 1998 Honda Civic LX?

The 1998 Honda Civic LX (U.S. market) came with Honda’s D16Y7 engine: a 1.6-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, non-VTEC inline-four rated around 106 hp at 6,200 rpm and 103 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. It uses multi-point fuel injection and OBD-II emissions controls. Trim and engine offerings can vary by country, so owners outside the U.S. should verify the engine code on the block or via official documentation.

Engine details and performance

Positioned between the base DX and the sportier EX, the 1998 Civic LX used the D16Y7—a workhorse of Honda’s D-series family. The engine features a single overhead cam with 16 valves, non-VTEC valve timing, and a timing belt. Fuel delivery is via multi-point fuel injection, and calibrations differ slightly between federal and California-emissions models, though the engine code remains the same. Paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the LX prioritized efficiency and reliability over high-rev performance.

Key specifications

The following list outlines core specifications commonly associated with the D16Y7 in the 1998 Civic LX for the U.S. market.

• Engine code: D16Y7 (1.6-liter D-series)
• Displacement: 1,590 cc (1.6 L)
• Configuration: Inline-4; aluminum alloy block with iron sleeves; aluminum cylinder head
• Valvetrain: SOHC, 16-valve; non-VTEC
• Fuel system: Multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)
• Rated output (approx.): 106 hp @ 6,200 rpm; 103 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm (U.S. specs)
• Emissions/diagnostics: OBD-II; federal and California variants
• Compression ratio: about 9.4:1 (typical specification)
• Recommended fuel: Regular unleaded (87 AKI)
• Cam drive: Timing belt (service per owner’s manual)

These figures reflect widely cited U.S. specifications for the D16Y7; minor variations can occur based on emissions calibration and measurement standards.

Market and trim nuances

In the U.S., the 1998 Civic LX was a mid-trim model that shared the non-VTEC D16Y7 with the DX, while the EX received the VTEC-equipped D16Y8 and the HX featured the fuel-sipping D16Y5 VTEC-E. Outside the U.S., trim names and engine pairings sometimes differ, and power ratings may vary due to local emissions and fuel standards. Transmission choice (manual vs. automatic) did not change the engine code for the LX in the U.S.

How to verify your exact engine

If you want to confirm what’s in your car—especially if it’s outside the U.S. or might have been swapped—use the steps below to identify the engine definitively.

1. Check the engine code stamping: Look for a flat, machined area on the front of the engine block (toward the radiator), typically just below the cylinder head and near the exhaust manifold; it should read “D16Y7” followed by a serial number.
2. Read the under-hood emissions label: Many vehicles list the engine family and emissions standard on a sticker under the hood.
3. Consult the owner’s manual or original window sticker: These can confirm the factory engine and trim details.
4. Decode the VIN: A Honda dealer or reputable VIN-decoder can correlate your VIN with the factory-equipped engine.
5. Review service records: Past maintenance or dealership records often note the engine code and relevant parts.

Verifying the engine code ensures accuracy, particularly for vehicles that may have undergone engine replacements or importation.

Related 1998 Civic U.S. lineup for context

Here’s how the LX’s D16Y7 compares with engines in other 1998 U.S.-market Civic trims, which helps place the LX in the broader lineup.

• DX: D16Y7 (1.6L SOHC, non-VTEC)
• LX: D16Y7 (1.6L SOHC, non-VTEC)
• EX: D16Y8 (1.6L SOHC, VTEC; higher output than LX)
• HX: D16Y5 (1.6L SOHC, VTEC-E; tuned for fuel economy)

This context highlights that the LX shares its basic powerplant with the DX, while EX and HX trims use different VTEC variants optimized for performance or efficiency.

Summary

The 1998 Honda Civic LX in the U.S. is equipped with the D16Y7 1.6-liter SOHC, non-VTEC inline-four, delivering about 106 hp and 103 lb-ft with MPFI and OBD-II. While this applies to U.S. models, regional differences mean owners should verify the engine code—stamped on the block and supported by under-hood labels and documentation—to be certain.

What engine does a Honda Civic LX have?

The CX, DX and LX all have SOHC (D16Y7) 4-cylinder engines; whereas the EX has a 1.6L 16-valve SOHC VTEC (D16Y8) engine producing 127 hp (95 kW), and the HX has a D16Y5 VTEC-E engine producing 115 hp (86 kW). The USDM Si and Canadian SiR came with a 1.6L 16-valve DOHC VTEC (B16A2) engine producing 160 hp (119 kW).

How much is a 1998 Honda Civic LX worth?

A 1998 Honda Civic LX Sedan 4D has depreciated $216 or 10% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $1,815 and trade-in value of $768.

What kind of engine does a 1998 Honda Civic LX have?

The CX, DX, VP and LX trim packages were equipped with the 1.6-liter SOHC 16-valve D16Y7 4-cylinder engine.

Does the 98 Civic have VTEC?

Okay so this is a 1.8 L dual overhead cam VTEC engine and it’s got just over twice oh we’re going to do the tunnel of course. Just over twice the horsepower of the stock. Engine.