Honda F20C engine
Encyclopedia
The F20C and F22C1 are inline-4 engines produced by Honda
. They are one of the few Honda 4-cylinder automobile engines that are designed to sit longitudinal
ly for rear wheel drive.
These engines are a distant relative to the F-series
engines found in the mid 90s Honda Accord
and Prelude
. To get most out of the compact sized engine, Honda technicians utilised technology derived from Honda's racing engines. The F20C and F22C1 have two overhead cams with roller followers, a ladder-frame main bearing stiffener, a VTEC system for both the intake and exhaust camshaft, Fiber-Reinforced Metal cylinder liners (FRM)
, molybdenum disulfide
-coated piston skirts for reduced friction, and uses a timing chain.
The VTEC
system consists of two separate cam lobe profiles. Variable cam phasing is not used. Roller followers are used to reduce friction in the valvetrain. The rocker arms are constructed using metal injection molding
.
The engine block is constructed of aluminum with fiber-reinforced metal sleeve. A timing chain drives an intermediate gear, which drives the cams. The pistons are forged aluminum. The intake plenum was designed with minimal volume for fast engine response, and a 14lb flywheel was fitted until 2003. A high-flow catalyst is supplied along with an exhaust air-injection system, which greatly decreases catalyst light-off time and cold emissions.
The F20C was designed with high maximum rpm capability in mind, for increased power output; redline is at 9000 rpm, with VTEC engagement at 6000 rpm. Its relatively long stroke of 84mm results in a mean piston speed
of 4965 ft/m, 56.42 mph or 25m/s, higher than any other production car to date. Power output is 240 bhp at 8300 rpm in North America and Europe. The Japanese version, which has a higher compression ratio, is capable of 250 PS at 8600 rpm. Honda's F20C Engine won a spot on Wards
' 10 Best Engines List four times, in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The engine displaces 1997 cc, lending to the Honda S2000
's name. This method of naming follows suit with the rest of the Honda S roadsters (i.e. Honda S500
, S600
, and S800
).
Applications:
The F20C produces the highest specific power output for any naturally aspirated 2.0L piston engine in a car priced under US$
100,000, at 123.5 hp per liter, ahead of the SR16VE N1
found in the homologation version of JDM Nissan Pulsar producing 197 bhp for a specific power of 123.45 bhp per liter. The F20C held the record for producing the highest specific power output for any mass production naturally aspirated piston engine until Ferrari
released the 458 Italia in 2010, which produces 124.5 HP/L.
In 2004, Honda produced a stroked 90.7 mm (3.6 in) version of the F20C, increasing displacement by 160 cc to 2157 cc. Dubbed the F22C1, it was originally designed for the North American market being introduced for the 2004 model year. Maximum power output was maintained at 237 hp @7800 rpm. Rated torque increased from 153 ft.lbf at 7500 rpm for the F20C to 162 ft.lbf at 6500 rpm for the F22C. The redline was reduced from 9000 rpm to 8200 rpm, mandated by the longer travel distance of the pistons. Peak horsepower output is rated identical to the F20C.
The F22C1 was used exclusively in the North American market for 2004 and 2005 with the F20C being used in all other markets. Despite the displacement increase, the car to which the F22C1 is mated retains the name of Honda S2000. In 2006, the engine fully replaced F20C engines in the Japanese market as well which resulted in a drop in rated power output from 250 PS to 242 PS. Outside of Japan and the United States, the F20C continued to be the only available engine.
Applications:
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
. They are one of the few Honda 4-cylinder automobile engines that are designed to sit longitudinal
Longitudinal engine
In automotive engineering, a longitudinal engine is an internal combustion engine in which the crankshaft is oriented along the long axis of the vehicle, front to back....
ly for rear wheel drive.
These engines are a distant relative to the F-series
Honda F engine
The Honda F-Series engine was Honda's "big block" SOHC inline four, though lower production DOHC versions of the F-series were built. It features an aluminum open deck cast iron sleeved block and aluminum/magnesium cylinder head...
engines found in the mid 90s Honda Accord
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world....
and Prelude
Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was a sports coupe produced by Japanese automaker Honda from 1978 until 2001. It replaced the Honda S800, a front-engined, front wheel drive sports car...
. To get most out of the compact sized engine, Honda technicians utilised technology derived from Honda's racing engines. The F20C and F22C1 have two overhead cams with roller followers, a ladder-frame main bearing stiffener, a VTEC system for both the intake and exhaust camshaft, Fiber-Reinforced Metal cylinder liners (FRM)
Metal matrix composite
A metal matrix composite is composite material with at least two constituent parts, one being a metal. The other material may be a different metal or another material, such as a ceramic or organic compound. When at least three materials are present, it is called a hybrid composite...
, molybdenum disulfide
Molybdenum disulfide
Molybdenum disulfide is the inorganic compound with the formula MoS2. This black crystalline sulfide of molybdenum occurs as the mineral molybdenite. It is the principal ore from which molybdenum metal is extracted. The natural amorphous form is known as the rarer mineral jordisite. MoS2 is less...
-coated piston skirts for reduced friction, and uses a timing chain.
The VTEC
VTEC
VTEC is a valvetrain system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and electronically selects between the profiles. It was invented by Honda R&D engineer Ikuo Kajitani, and was the first system...
system consists of two separate cam lobe profiles. Variable cam phasing is not used. Roller followers are used to reduce friction in the valvetrain. The rocker arms are constructed using metal injection molding
Metal Injection Molding
Metal injection molding is a metalworking process where finely-powdered metal is mixed with a measured amount of binder material to comprise a 'feedstock' capable of being handled by plastic processing equipment through a process known as injection mold forming. The molding process allows...
.
The engine block is constructed of aluminum with fiber-reinforced metal sleeve. A timing chain drives an intermediate gear, which drives the cams. The pistons are forged aluminum. The intake plenum was designed with minimal volume for fast engine response, and a 14lb flywheel was fitted until 2003. A high-flow catalyst is supplied along with an exhaust air-injection system, which greatly decreases catalyst light-off time and cold emissions.
F20C
- Displacement: 1997 cc
- Compression: 11.7:1
- Bore: 87 mm (3.4 in)
- Stroke: 84 mm (3.3 in)
- Rod Length: 153 mm
- Rod/stroke ratio: 1.82
- Power: JDM 250 PS (183.88 kW) @ 8,300rpm & 22.2kgm (217.71 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm
- USDM 240 HP @ 8,300 rpm; 153 ft lb, 207 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
- Redline: 9000 rpm
- VTEC: 6100 rpm
The F20C was designed with high maximum rpm capability in mind, for increased power output; redline is at 9000 rpm, with VTEC engagement at 6000 rpm. Its relatively long stroke of 84mm results in a mean piston speed
Mean piston speed
The mean piston speed is the average speed of the piston in a reciprocating engine. It is a function of stroke and RPM. There is a factor of 2 in the equation to account for one stroke to occur in 1/2 of a crank revolution and a '60' to convert seconds from minutes in the RPM term.MPS = 2 *...
of 4965 ft/m, 56.42 mph or 25m/s, higher than any other production car to date. Power output is 240 bhp at 8300 rpm in North America and Europe. The Japanese version, which has a higher compression ratio, is capable of 250 PS at 8600 rpm. Honda's F20C Engine won a spot on Wards
Ward's
Ward's is an organization that has covered the automotive industry for over 80 years. They are responsible for several publications including, Ward's AutoWorld, and Ward's Dealer Business.Ward's also publish the annual list of Ward's 10 Best Engines....
' 10 Best Engines List four times, in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The engine displaces 1997 cc, lending to the Honda S2000
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The car was first shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, following which it was launched in...
's name. This method of naming follows suit with the rest of the Honda S roadsters (i.e. Honda S500
Honda S500
The S500 was the first production car from Honda, released in 1963, following the T360 truck into production by four months. It was a larger displacement variant of the S360 roadster which, though developed for sale in 1962, was never produced....
, S600
Honda S600
The Honda S600 is an automobile manufactured by Honda. It was launched in March 1964. It was the first Honda car to be offered in two versions: as a roadster – bearing strong resemblance to the Honda S500 – and as a fastback coupé , introduced in March 1965...
, and S800
Honda S800
The S800 is a sports car from Honda. Introduced at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, the S800 would replace the successful Honda S600 as the company's image car and would compete with the Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and Fiat 850 Spider....
).
Applications:
- 1999-2005 Honda S2000 (JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
) - 2000-2003 Honda S2000 (F20C1) (North AmericaNorth AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
) - 1999–2009 Honda S2000 (United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
)
The F20C produces the highest specific power output for any naturally aspirated 2.0L piston engine in a car priced under US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
100,000, at 123.5 hp per liter, ahead of the SR16VE N1
Nissan Pulsar
The Nissan Pulsar is an automobile that was produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978, when it debuted as a subcompact car, to 2007, when it was replaced in all markets by the Nissan Tiida. It was originally conceived as a replacement for Nissan's first front-wheel drive platform, the...
found in the homologation version of JDM Nissan Pulsar producing 197 bhp for a specific power of 123.45 bhp per liter. The F20C held the record for producing the highest specific power output for any mass production naturally aspirated piston engine until Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
released the 458 Italia in 2010, which produces 124.5 HP/L.
F22C
The F22C1 was used exclusively in the North American market for 2004 and 2005 with the F20C being used in all other markets. Despite the displacement increase, the car to which the F22C1 is mated retains the name of Honda S2000. In 2006, the engine fully replaced F20C engines in the Japanese market as well which resulted in a drop in rated power output from 250 PS to 242 PS. Outside of Japan and the United States, the F20C continued to be the only available engine.
Applications:
- 2004–2009 Honda S2000 (F22C1)(North America)
- 2006–2009 Honda S2000 (Japan)
See also
- List of Honda engines
- Listen to a F20C in operation:
External links
- http://www.honda.co.jp/HOT/ModelData/s2000/index.html