Open Deck

[Bram]

Hello, I know we have some really knowledgeable guys on this Forum, so I have a copule of questions.

I have read about the NSX engine being an "open deck" design, can some explain what does this mean.
-What are the benefits
-What are the drawbacks
-Are other Honda Engines design as an "Open Deck".

Another...
Why are Older Honda 4 cylinders sit on the Left side, and the Newer ones now sit on the Right side of the engine bay ?

Thanks, Bram

 

[RP-Motorsports]

most of Honda's and Acura's engines are "open-deck".

I will use the ITR motor as an example. There are 4 pistons, with each piston surrounded by a thin wall of aluminum, connected between each piston, the head, and the bottom end. Surrounding these walls, is an equal "gap" all the way around, which is filled with coolant. Pros= keeps the motor cool during the extremely high revs 9,000+ rpms. Cons= this area starts to squirm around with FI. Some race shops will fill in this gap with full aluminum with drilled passages for the coolant to travel. Pros= no squirm, Cons=extra heatsoak. Another option, which is a good middle ground it to just drop in a filler at the top, with drilled holes. This way there is still plenty of coolant, and some extra added strength.

Also Hondas used to run counter-clockwise, opposite of the competition, but then switched around the time the RSX and Civic Si came out with the i-VTEC. The old way was with the intake in back, and the headers in front. The new way is opposite.

The first pic is all open in the gap. The second pic had a custom inset with passages for coolant.

The third pic is a common drop-in block-guard for the VTEC 4-cyl.

 

[Bram]

Thanks, RP-motorsports for the detail explanation, I now know what Open Deck means.

Thanks, Bram

 

[Cairo94507]

Heck, me too. That was very informative and I loved the pictures to complete the explanation. Learn something new each day. Thank you

 

[NSXTech]

This is a photo of the Darton sleeve we have custome made. It is not a filler, but rather new sleeves with the 'shoulders' built in. If you can imagine three upside down stove pipe hats, with the brims chopped on one side to allow them to be bundled snugly together, thats we have here.
I am not sure, and I would never second guess RPMotorsports, but I think photo #2 in his excellant presentation, is also a sleeved motor, with the 'stiffening' built into the sleeve casting..
My photo is a 3.2 w/ JE 9.5:1 pistons done in the last few months.

MB

 

[drew]

Why are Older Honda 4 cylinders sit on the Left side, and the Newer ones now sit on the Right side of the engine bay ?

Also Hondas used to run counter-clockwise, opposite of the competition, but then switched around the time the RSX and Civic Si came out with the i-VTEC. The old way was with the intake in back, and the headers in front. The new way is opposite.

The real reason "why" was so Honda could sell their excellent drive train to GM.

http://world.honda.com/news/1999/c991221b.html

Drew

Appreciate the KB RP. Do they make the sleeves for the "C" engine?