3.0 L Auto vs manual

Joined
30 October 2003
Messages
434
Location
Mt Vernon NY
I'm new to this so I have a few questions maybe someone can help me with this.

I'm alittle curious about why the manual NSX is faster than the auto? why is there two different HP rating? Also if Someone was to use a 1999 3.0 auto engine in a manual 96 will it proform the same? Thanks
 
Starting in 1997 the manuals arrived with the C32B, 3.2 liter engines putting out 290HP. Automatics still have the 3.0 engine rated at 252HP.

If you took a 1999 3.0 and put it in a 1996, it should perform the same as any other 1996 manual. Possibly better if you could use the improved '99 headers on the '96 car. IMO you'd be better off dropping the engine into a '97 chassis if one is available. They have numerous improvements over the '96s. See the FAQ for more details.
 
Last edited:
ALL auto tranny NSXs have 252hp

PorknBeanz said:
Starting in 1997 the manuals arrived with the C32B, 3.2 liter engines putting out 290HP. Automatics still have the 3.0 engine rated at 270HP.

ALL NSXs with automatic transmissions (1991-present) have the 3.0 liter motor rated at 252 hp. There are no automatic NSXs with the 270hp or 290hp engines. The engines are detuned to help preserve the reliability of the automatic transmission. This leaves an 18hp difference from '91-'96 270hp manual transmission NSXs. The '97 to present manual transmission NSXs have 290hp so the horsepower gap has grown to 38hp.

I was driving in a club event years ago and upon entering a freeway via a long onramp at full throttle, my 5-speed '91 pulled away from the '94 auto considerably. My friend said he couldn't believe how much faster my car was than his. If I had a '97 or newer NSX, it would have been even more dramatic.

If you want max horsepower from a stock NSX, learn to drive a manual and get a '97 model or newer.
 
Interestingly enough, I read in Japanese website that when he did a AT-MT conversion, the powercurve was very much similar to MT engine shown here.

http://www.ksp-eng.co.jp/FACTORY/tyiz/NSX/ATMTdaisuke/ATMTdaisuke.htm

See the last dynograph.

The red line is AT engine with MT. The only thing is that you have to send D(drive) signal to the AT ECU and it still cuts out at 7500rpm.

Maybe it's got more to do with the gearing.
 
what he should have done is install a manual transmission ecu/TCS ecu.

Then he could go until 8000rpm & not worry about the D/N switch.

The wiring is the same, its just the wire harness for the auto car has a few more wires into the ECU, and a few extra plugs in the engine bay area.

Although i believe the cams are different in the autos, so they will not produce the 7000-8000 power like the Mt cars.

-Ray
 
Thanks for the information everyone but the reason I asked is because I have a 99 auto with 29,000 miles and I want to put a 3.2 manual in it next year sometime and I want to know if the engine are exactly the same. I could sell my engine and trans to someone with high miles or has a blown engine. also how much should I expect to pay for a 3.2 engine and trans with about 10,000 miles on it?
 
Well when it comes time, and you decided to undergo this LARGE but semi-easy task let me know, as i have just completed this task.

This are some of the things that you will have to change.

- change break pedal
- add clutch pedal
- add clutch master cylnder
- add 2 clutch hydrolic pipes
- add clutch dampener
- add clutch slave cylinder
- add flywheel
- add flywheel bolts (AT ones wont work)
- add clutch kit
- change transmission mount
- change rear engine/tranny mount
- change center half-shaft
- change drivers axel
- add shift cables
- add shifter assembly
- add shift boot + knob
- change ECU
- change TCS ECU
- change dash cluster
- add transmission of choice (5 or 6sp)
- add transmission inspection plate
- add engine/tranny stiffening brace
- disable key cylinder lockout
- rewire reverse light switch
- wire in clutch switch input to ecu

thats all i can remember off the top of my head, when your ready email me and i can get you all the part numbers of each item.

TTYL
-Ray
 
The main difference in the engines that make the power output so different are the camshafts and the engine computer. The rev limit is lower on the automatic due to the different valve springs used in the auto.

I have replaced my bad 5 speed engine with an automatic engine but in the process I cross reference the parts book and found only a handful of things different. So I just switch all the 5 speed engine parts that are different in an automatic and the auotmatic now performs like the 5 speed engine.

Eddy
 
Hey!

If you have a black NSX, sell it - I'm going to have a hard enough time getting another automatic when the time comes without people converting the few left!!!

:D
 
Can I upgrade my 96 Manual with a 97+ Engine?

Can I upgrade my 96 Manual with a 97+ Engine? Has anyone done this before? Please let me know. Thanks! ;)
 
Well there are two ways of doing it.....

(1) using the 3.2 engine/tranny combo, and reusing the 3.0 intake manifold/throttlebody setup

(2) use the 3.2 engine/tranny, and change over the ECU/TCS ECU/add the drive by wire setup/change the cabin harness to 97+......... then find out what still doesnt work and add that, i dont believe anyone has tried this route.... i would be interested in finding out what else is required, just so i know.

-Ray
 
Back
Top