Honda C engine

Honda C engine
Overview
ManufacturerHonda
Production1985–2005
Layout
Configuration90° V6
Displacement2.0 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 bore82 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 stroke63 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 outputFrom 145–294 PS (107–216 kW; 143–290 bhp)
Torque outputFrom 167–314 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).

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.