what does the BP stand for

James you´re pretty close. Mazda is the designer of the motor. BP is a series they make. Technically the american Escort GT (91-96) uses the Mazda BPD8.
Mazda B-series include a 1.5L (it sucked), a 1.6L (323, Miata), a 1.8L and a 2.XL.

I dont know about the others but the 1.8L is the 1.6L that´s been lengthened.

All the BP series motors were DOHC configuration. All shared high flowing intake manifolds with duel runners, and high cross flow head specs. The biggest difference was the actual compression ratio, strength of the internals, and whether it had a turbo or not.

The BPD was the non turbo model for the 1.8L the BPT (GTX motor) is a BP-Turbo with 8.2:1 compression ratio. The GTR motor is a BPT, however the internals are a little different and put out another 40hp over the 180hp GTX .

If you twin turbo´d (in my opinion a waste, just refer to my old posts) a BP, it would still be a BPT.

I agree the BP probably means Bullet Proof. I have abused my motor so much and the thing is like an energizer bunny. I can say the only thing I dont like about how our motors are engineered is the VAF. I just wish we had MAP sensors, but other then that...I´ve gone as far as blowing a timing belt and the motor was saved. Its really an amazing design. Between the solid nature of the BPD8 and the amazing power for the B13 rotary, Mazda has done some cool stuff.

Also talking about honda motors, yes the number usually refer to displacement. BPD8 is 1.8L. Civic EX (95-2000) D16Y8
The D means its a SOHC (B series are the DOHC), 16 is 1.6L and Y8 is the eigth Gen VTEC head. It has single engagement VTEC. Contrast to the Integra LS B18A, is a DOHC 1.8L non VTEC. Integra GSR B18C, 160HP DOHC 1.8 VTEC with Duel VTEC engagement. OR, Integra Type-R B18C4 (American Type-R) 196HP DOHC 1.8L D-VTEC. And, Integra Type R JSPEC, B18C5 205HP, DOHC 1.8L D-VTEC again.

Preludes made famous the H22. The H22 is a 2.2L VTEC motor. I could go on and on with Honda´s. But it carries over to Toyota´s too. For example the 22RE(and REC) is a 2.2L (found in old 1/4ton pickups and the MR2). 24REC 2.4L found in the newer 4cyl tacomas and stuff. Nissan uses the same thing, unless the motor was Datsun designed. But for the most part the SR20DET is a 2.0L turbo motor (Skyline GTR uses the XXXXDETT, because its twin turbo´d).

I guess the ones that throw people off the most are the weird ones like, 2JZ-GTE for the twin turbo 3rd gen Supra. Or 1JZ-GE for the non turbo 2cd gen supra.

Thanx for the support guys. Glad to hear a complement. Actually if you want to know why I know what I know and why I´ve spent the time and money to turbo my EGT here it is:

I´m 22. I moved from SoCal to Northern AZ to go to Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ. I´m a Computer Science major. Honestly I hate school with a passion. I just can´t seem to focus anymore. The girl I dated my freshman year cheated on me with my best friend from back home, and because the guy girl ratio at my school is about 14:1, I haven´t gotten laid in like 2 and half years. The closest big cities to meet girls are Flagstaff and Phoenix, both are over 100miles away. Because I´ve worked all through school I´ve never been able to go back home for summers and such. So even the girls that I was really into back home, are back home.

I guess the best part of knowing motors and stuff is I usually can estimate if I can play with another car or not. I can look at any honda and tell you if I have a chance or not. Better yet I can hear a late 80´s Accord rev up and I can tell you if he has an engine swap, supercharger, turbo, or cams and head work...the only thing I never see coming is a little N2O.