What is special about the k20 engine?

[b0yd07]

I previously thought that 197 horsepower was quite a bit but since then I've been introduced to some Avalons and other kind of luxury cars that have like 250+ horsepower. What makes our cars' engines so special?

Does the v-tec account for some power not on the papers? Or when the tach needle gets waayy up there to 7k+ does it start pulling harder than what they've got written down and advertised?

Don't get me wrong, I love this car to death... wouldn't trade it for the world. But what is it about it that is so special? When I had this car taken into a shop once the mechanic just went on and on about how this car has the nicest engine you can buy in there.

[shutter13]

its 200hp out of a 2.0L 4-cylinder with no forced induction.. thats pretty impressive

avalons probably have 6 cylinders to produce 250HP

honda gets 200hp out of a 2.0L n/a with variable valve timing and high revs... VW gets 200hp out of a 2.0L turbo

not to mention honda engines are well built and reliable...and im sure you know 200hp in a 2800 pound car makes for a pretty quick ride, not blistering fast... but definitely quick

[Izzy]

You're close to that 100hp per liter out of a naturally aspirated engine. It also revs high, which only high end Audis, M3's, RX-8, and S2ks do.

What's a beautiful engine, though is the M3 V8 and the Audi V8 as well. Oh, and the Porsche GT3 flat-six.

[Janizary]

Originally Posted by shutter13

avalons probably have 6 cylinders to produce 250HP

Yes, the Avalon uses Toyota's 3.5L corporate engine. Sharing much with the 3.5L Camry.

[tite681]

What is the actual redline on a K20z3? 8k or 8.3k? High rev makes it pretty darn special.

[Ambilobe]

k20's made out of metal

[Rabbit]

When I was looking for a car, my choices were the GTI, tC, and SI.

GTI won me over in performance.
tC looks better than both of them. (IMO)
Si had everything i wanted, looks and performance.

It's the package that does it for me.

[r a y]

hp per liter, the bigger the ratio, the better. Honda is good at that type of thing...

[rkalloo]

nah its not only about the 100hp/liter , dont get me wrong, its a marvel of engineering however, the k20 are built mad strong, some rsx's can handle 600 whp...not for ever tho but still to be able to handle that stock

[Izzy]

Yeah, these engines can be built very well, boost or NA.

[e60.deluxe]

strictly speaking of the exhilaration of the driving experience:

-flat torque curve. (sort of, theres 1 slight hiccup, but to be fixed with Hondata!)
-no less than 85% of maximum torque from 2000RPM-Redline.
- sound

other than that:
-high specific output.
-gas mileage potential. (driven carefully easily yields 28mpg city)

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by tite681

What is the actual redline on a K20z3? 8k or 8.3k? High rev makes it pretty darn special.

8200

[FA555]

These are the threads that should be on here. I like it. Ive had enough of all of this tranny bashing. I like my car damnit.

[jdmEGO]

LOL I think is funny how he spell v-tec LOL

[ryker]

Originally Posted by r a y

hp per liter, the bigger the ratio, the better. Honda is good at that type of thing...

HP is nice but torque is what gets the job done. Torque as in what reaches the ground after getting altered by the tranny.

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

strictly speaking of the exhilaration of the driving experience:

-flat torque curve. (sort of, theres 1 slight hiccup, but to be fixed with Hondata!)
-no less than 85% of maximum torque from 2000RPM-Redline.
- sound

other than that:
-high specific output.
-gas mileage potential. (driven carefully easily yields 28mpg city)

But still has a low torque output.


The OP asked what is so special about the Si. What new tecnology does is it have? Other than a high redline.

[rcracin13]

dont forget honda's reliability. a 200hp 4 cylinder that gets good gas mileage, you can rev the piss out of it, and it'll still last for 200k with proper maintenance. that's something special if you ask me. the abuse my engine takes and its feels new every time. 22k miles running strong so far. im sure it'll last a good 200k.

[TeamValorRacing]

-roller rockers in place of the standard "slap" cams/arms.
-one piece girdle that is a serious brace that only the gsr/type-r had and it was a dinky little nothing.
-"boxer block"(86mmx86mm specs)
-100hp per liter with the massive rpm range


basically, if you had a "rival car's" motor apart and compared it to the quality and ingenuity that went into building this motor, you would laugh at the others(tc/cobaltss/srt-4). same other 4's can make good power but not on the motor alone, thats the main thing that separates our k series from other manufacturers. they add to their weak motor to make a beast, we start with one.

[civic5ex]

basically look at the cobalt ss. it is supercharged and that gets it up to 205hp but the k20 stock puts out 197hp

[ryker]

I'd like to see Honda use some of the features that the R18 has on a new engine for the Si. Two stage intake manifold and the friction reducing methods used. Perhaps even some type of two stage i-vtec. First stage would be like the r18 and second cam vtec would be for massive power increase. Honda could create a 2.2l 220hp with 140ftlbs while still get 30mpg!

[ryker]

Originally Posted by civic5ex

basically look at the cobalt ss. it is supercharged and that gets it up to 205hp but the k20 stock puts out 197hp

Comparing peak numbers is near worthless. to compare engines you need to look at the power band that is useable since the engine is actually driven at different RPMS and not always running around at redline.

Then you must factor in the tranny and how it alters the engine power to convert it. Shift points and length to pull in each gear. Often cars with less peak HP get beat by cars with better power bands.