Honda1991–1996Technical specifications

NSX 3.0: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 3-litre petrol (engine code C30A3). Covers engine, fluids, brakes, service, torques and air conditioning: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Common faults & fixes

Summary

Match the engine code (C30A3) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: NSX
Years: 1991–1996
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: C30A3

Performance & efficiency

Power: 201 kW (273 hp)
Engine size: 2,977 cc
Cylinders: 6 · DOHC
Compression ratio: 10.2:1
Fuel system: Honda

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 5.0 litres

All 112 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	6/DOHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	2977
Compression ratio :1	10,2
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Make	Honda
Ignition system Type	PGM-FI
Ignition system Description	Map-DI
Trigger location	Cam
Fuel system Make	Honda
Fuel system Type	PGM-FI
Fuel system Description	MFI-s
Air metering Type	MAP
Combined ignition and fuel ECM	Yes
Diagnostic socket	Yes

Ignition system

Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	12,0
Primary resistance Ohm	0,9-1,1

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) is 1-5-3-6-4-2.

Firing order	1-5-3-6-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) are 0,15-0,19 mm inlet and 0,17-0,21 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,15-0,19 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,17-0,21 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) takes 5.0 litres of engine oil with the filter.

See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.6-2.9 litres. The specified oil is SAE 10W-40, with classification SG.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 12.0 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Preferred engine oil
Ambient temperature range	-20°C➞40°C
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SG/A1, A3, A5
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	-20°C➞35°C
Engine oil grade SAE	5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SG/A1, A3, A5
Engine with filter(s) litres	5.0
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	10W-40
Manual transmission oil classification	SG
Manual transmission litres	2.6-2.9
Cooling system - total capacity litres	12.0
Brake fluid Type	DOT 3/4
Clutch fluid Type	DOT 3/4

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 26 mm (ventilated) front and 19 mm (ventilated) rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	26 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Rear	19 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc runout Front	0,10 mm
Disc runout Rear	0,10 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	1,6 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear	1,6 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches	10-14

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) is 15°±2° BTDC at 800 rpm.

1995→
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	15±2/800

Battery

The Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) uses a 12 V, 73 Ah battery (reserve capacity 125 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/125 (73)

Spark plugs

The Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) uses Autolite APP3923 spark plugs with a 1,0 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	Denso
Spark plug Type	PK20PR-L11
Electrode gap mm	1,1-1,3
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	APP3923
Electrode gap mm	1,0
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR6DP1X
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RC8PYP
Electrode gap mm	1,0
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	PFR6G-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1-1,3

Tuning and emissions

1995→
Tuning conditions	—
View more information	—
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	ECM Controlled
Idle speed rpm	800±50
Oil temperature °C	80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	0,5 Max Not adjustable
HC level at idle speed ppm	100
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	14,5-16,0
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,1-0,5
Increased idle speed for CO test rpm	2300-2700
CO content at increased idle speed Vol. %	0,3

Starting and charging

Maximum cranking amps A	176-214
Alternator output A/V/rpm	70/13,5/2000

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	10,0-14,0
Oil pressure bar/rpm	3,5 Min/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,93-1,23
Thermostat opens °C	76-80
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	12-14

Fuel system

System pressure bar	3,3-3,7
Regulated pressure with vacuum bar	2,5-3,1
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C	300-400/80
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor/engine speed (RPM) sensor Ohm	650-850
Injector Ohm	1,5-2,5
Lambda sensor (Oxygen) heater Ohm	10,0-20,0

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) are tightened in 2 stages: 39 Nm, then a final 78 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	39 Nm
Tighten	78 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	—
Main bearings
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	20 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	95°
Sump drain bolt	44 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	—
Flywheel/drive plate
Clutch pressure plate	26 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	—
Crankshaft pulley
Camshaft sprocket/gear	70 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	—
Camshaft carrier caps
Camshaft/rocker cover	10 Nm
Spark plugs	18 Nm
Lambda sensor (Oxygen)	45 Nm
Oil filter	22 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	—
Front/rear hub
Front hub - wheel bearing housing bolts	65 Nm
Rear hub	—
Front/rear hub
Rear hub - wheel bearing housing bolts	65 Nm
Steering track rod end	45 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	50 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	110 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	50 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	110 Nm
ABS sensor Front	22 Nm
ABS sensor Rear	22 Nm
Road wheels	110 Nm

Air conditioning

Refrigerant quantity
No. of AC service connectors	2
Compressor clutch/magnetic coupling	No
Compressor variable displacement solenoid	Yes
Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	950±50
Air conditioning oil group	PAG
Air conditioning oil Type	Dens Oil 8
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	80
Oil quantity
Air conditioning oil viscosity ISO	46

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda NSX 3.0?

The firing order for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) is 1-5-3-6-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda NSX 3.0 use?

The Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) uses Autolite APP3923 spark plugs with a 1,0 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda NSX 3.0 take?

The Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) takes 5.0 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

What are the valve clearances for the Honda NSX 3.0?

Valve clearances for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) are 0,15-0,19 mm inlet and 0,17-0,21 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda NSX 3.0?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) are tightened in 2 stages: 39 Nm, then a final 78 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda NSX 3.0?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda NSX 3.0 (1991–1996) is 15°±2° BTDC at 800 rpm.