JDM · Fast & Furious cars · Acura

Acura NSX (NA1/NA2): specs, VTEC V6 and what owners say

Acura NSX (first generation) NA1 in Formula Red, AI illustration

Pictured: the NA1 NSX (1994).

NSX NA1 · 1991–1996

270horsepower

5.20–60 mph, sec

3.0-liter C30A V6 with VTEC and titanium rods, 270 hp, 8,000 rpm redline.

NSX NA2 · 1997–2001

290horsepower

4.80–60 mph, sec

3.2-liter C32B V6, 290 hp, 6-speed manual. Fixed xenon headlights from 2002.

In the films

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)Tej Parker
Tej Parker's car in the film is a first-generation NSX.

Sold new in the US. Sold new in the US as the Acura NSX for the 1991 to 2005 model years.

On this site: Acura NSX, second generation (2017-2022) · Its engine

Film facts are plain text from the sources listed: no film stills, logos or likenesses. The picture above is an AI illustration of a stock car, not the film car. Every JDM car

Sources

NA1 NSX · 1991–1996

How fast is the NA1 NSX?

Coupe; targa (NSX-T) from 1995, 1991–1996. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

NSX

1991–1996

270 hpat 7,100 rpm

Torque: 210 lb-ftat 5,300 rpm
0–60 mph: 5.2 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, rear-drive
Weight: 3,010 lb1991 coupe, 1,365 kg
Price new: about $60,0001991 starting price

Sources

NSX automatic

1991–1996

252 hpat 6,600 rpm

Milder cam timing for the automatic: 252 hp and a 7,500 rpm redline.

Torque: 210 lb-ftat 5,300 rpm
0–60 mph: 5.8 sMotorTrend test
Gearbox: 4-speed automatic, rear-drive
Weight: 3,098 lb1991 coupe, 1,405 kg

Sources

The engine: Honda C30A

3.0-liter V6, VTEC, naturally aspirated

LayoutV6, DOHC 24-valve, VTEC, aluminum block with cast-iron liners

Output270 hp at 7,100 rpm, 210 lb-ft (manual); 252 hp automatic

Bore x stroke90 x 78 mm, 2,977 cc

Connecting rodsTitanium

Redline8,000 rpm (manual), 7,500 rpm (automatic)

Engine's YouTube owner tone 53/100 · #1 of 2 NSX engines (videos about the Honda C30A in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Honda C30A engine page →

Known issues

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 mentions it (1991–1996)

Engine sources

What owners say on YouTube

55This car's YouTube owner tone, out of 100 · videos about this generation only (the engine's tone above covers every car with that engine)

Owners praise

Looks25%

Handling and steering24%

Power and acceleration18%

Everyday comfort16%

Owners complain about

Coolant leaks / water pump / overheating7%

ABS unit5%

Share of the 190 most-watched NA1 NSX videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

Honda (Acura) NSX vs Nissan GT-R DRAG & ROLLING RACE + BRAKE TEST | Head-to-Headcarwow · 4.3M views

New Honda NSX: ‘90s Supercar Icon Reborn! | 4KTop Gear · 4.3M views

Should you buy a NA1 NSX?

New, the NSX cost about $60,000 (1991 starting price).
YouTube likes the 1995 best (64/100).
Budget for gearbox snap ring (1991–1992): 1 owner complaint mentions it.
1 recall campaign across 1991–1996 (all Nsx versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the NSX yet.

Sources

SlashGear: What did an OG NSX cost new in 1991, and what's one worth today? (Travis Langness, Aug 2025)

NA2 NSX · 1997–2005

How fast is the NA2 NSX?

Coupe or targa (NSX-T); targa only in the US from 2002, 1997–2005. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

NSX

1997–2001

290 hpat 7,100 rpm

Manual cars got a 3.2-liter engine: 20 more hp and 14 more lb-ft, a sixth gear and bigger brake rotors.

Torque: 224 lb-ftat 5,500 rpm
0–60 mph: 4.8 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, rear-drive
Weight: 3,066 lb1998 coupe; NSX-T 3,160 lb

Sources

NSX

2002–2005

290 hpat 7,100 rpm

Fixed xenon headlights replace the pop-ups, stiffer springs, a thicker anti-roll bar and wider rear tires. Targa only in the US.

Torque: 224 lb-ftat 5,500 rpm
0–60 mph: 5.0 sCar and Driver test
Top speed: 175 mph
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, rear-drive
Weight: 3,153 lb
Price new: about $90,0002002 base price

Sources

NSX automatic

1997–2005

252 hpat 6,600 rpm, 3.0-liter C30A

Keeps the 3.0-liter C30A; the 3.2 came only with the manual.

Torque: 210 lb-ftat 5,300 rpm
Gearbox: 4-speed automatic, rear-driveSportShift
Weight: 3,110 lb1998 coupe

Sources

The engine: Honda C32B

3.2-liter V6, VTEC, naturally aspirated

Output290 hp at 7,100 rpm, 224 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm

Bore x stroke93 x 78 mm, 3,179 cc

CylindersFRM liners in an aluminum block

Redline8,000 rpm

Gearbox6-speed manual only

Engine's YouTube owner tone 53/100 · #2 of 2 NSX engines (videos about the Honda C32B in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Honda C32B engine page →