Honda C engine

Honda C engine
Overview
ManufacturerHonda
Production1985–2005
Layout
Configuration90° V6
Displacement
  • 2.0 L (1,996 cc)
  • 2.5 L (2,494 cc)
  • 2.7 L (2,675 cc)
  • 3.0 L (2,977 cc)
  • 3.2 L (3,179 cc)
  • 3.5 L (3,473 cc)
Cylinder bore
  • 82 mm (3.23 in)
  • 84 mm (3.31 in)
  • 87 mm (3.43 in)
  • 90 mm (3.54 in)
  • 93 mm (3.66 in)
Piston stroke
  • 63 mm (2.48 in)
  • 75 mm (2.95 in)
  • 78 mm (3.07 in)
  • 91 mm (3.58 in)
Cylinder block materialAluminum
Cylinder head materialAluminum
ValvetrainSOHC & DOHC 4 valves x cyl. (VTEC only in DOHC engines)
Compression ratio9.0:1, 9.6:1, 10.2:1
Combustion
TurbochargerVariable geometry (some versions)
Fuel systemFuel injection
ManagementElectronic Control Unit
Fuel typeGasoline
Cooling systemWater-cooled
Output
Power output145–294 PS (107–216 kW; 143–290 bhp)
Torque output167–314 N⋅m; 123–231 lbf⋅ft (17–32 kg⋅m)
Chronology
SuccessorHonda J engine

Honda's first production V6 was the C series; it was produced in displacements from 2.0 to 3.5 liters. The C engine was produced in various forms for over 20 years (1985–2005), having first been used in the KA series Legend model, and its British sister car the Rover 800-series (and Sterling). It was the second mass-produced Japanese V6 engine, introduced two years after the Nissan VG engine.

All C engines share in common a 90-degree V-angle from bank to bank, common cylinder block bore centers, and four valves per cylinder. It is an all-aluminum design, and uses timing belt-driven single or dual overhead camshafts; the water pump is also driven by the timing belt.

All C engines use an interference design; if the timing belt fails, any open valves will clash into the pistons, and severe engine damage will occur.

The engine family can be broken down into three sub families:

  • C20A, C20AT, C25A and C27A (transversely mounted)
  • C30A and C32B (transversely mounted rear)
  • C32A, C35A, and C35B (one-off) (longitudinally mounted)

As a general rule, interchange of parts will not work between these sub groups.