The Lemon Index
Acura's 3.0-liter V6, VTEC, naturally aspirated. This page covers the versions we have sourced so far: the Acura NSX, model years 1991–2005.
A safer bet: YouTube owner tone None/100, #45 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the top third); no engine-related recall on record, 2 known issues listed below.
Known issues on record
- Timing belt (interference engine) (Outlet report). The C engines are interference designs, so a snapped timing belt can let valves hit pistons. autoTRADER.ca says to change the belt before it fails, and to budget for one if you can't confirm when it was last done. Fix: Replace the timing belt on schedule.
- Gearbox snap ring (1991–1992) (Outlet report). autoTRADER.ca says some 1991–1992 cars may have a defective transmission case design that can let the snap ring fail; a gearbox that pops out of gear on its own is one sign. A mechanic can check the transmission number to see if a car is at risk. 1 owner complaint to NHTSA mention it (NA1 NSX).
What YouTube owners say Tone 0-100, higher = more praise than trouble.
Average owner tone 53/100 across 15 model years, from 108 videos about this engine and its cars (#45 of 165 engines with a YouTube study).
Most-watched videos
- The Original Acura NSX Was Honda's Most Successful Failure — Revelations with Jason Cammisa Ep. 32 1,806,762 views
- Original Honda NSX review, what made it special? 231,809 views
- Honda NSX (NA1) Exhaust note 132,240 views
Counted from video titles and captions: praise words against trouble words, weighted by views. Videos only count when the title names this engine or a car that had only this engine in those years.
Owner complaints and recalls
Counts for the cars on this page, from NHTSA. They cover every part of the car, not only the engine.
Specs by generation
Honda C30A: NA1 NSX, 1991–1996
- Layout: V6, DOHC 24-valve, VTEC, aluminum block with cast-iron liners
- Output: 270 hp at 7,100 rpm, 210 lb-ft (manual); 252 hp automatic
- Bore x stroke: 90 x 78 mm, 2,977 cc
- Connecting rods: Titanium
- Redline: 8,000 rpm (manual), 7,500 rpm (automatic)
Honda C32B: NA2 NSX, 1997–2005
- Output: 290 hp at 7,100 rpm, 224 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm
- Bore x stroke: 93 x 78 mm, 3,179 cc
- Cylinders: FRM liners in an aluminum block
- Redline: 8,000 rpm
- Gearbox: 6-speed manual only
What we don't have yet
Quick answers
What cars have the Honda C30A / C32B V6 engine?
On this site so far: the Acura NSX, model years 1991–2005.
Is the Honda C30A / C32B V6 reliable?
Mostly yes. YouTube owner tone None/100, #45 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the top third); no engine-related recall on record, 2 known issues listed below. Owner complaints are filed by car, not engine, and cover the whole car, so none of these numbers is an engine failure rate.
How much horsepower does the Honda C30A / C32B V6 make?
252 to 290 hp in the versions on this page (factory figures).
Sources: Honda: 1991 Acura NSX specifications (Jun 1990) · Wikipedia: Honda C engine · Honda: 1998 Acura NSX specifications (Apr 1997) · Honda: 2005 Acura NSX specifications (Sep 2004) · autoTRADER.ca: Used Vehicle Review: Acura NSX, 1990-2005 (Justin Pritchard, May 2015). Complaints and recalls: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov).