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Acura C32A specs: 3.2L (196 ci) 6-cylinder, 90 x 84 mm (3.5433 x 3.3071 in) bore and stroke, 9.6:1 compression. Rated 200-230 hp, 1991–1995.
The Acura C32A is oversquare — the 3.5433" bore exceeds the 3.3071" stroke by 7.1% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.3071" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,250 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 32.7 ci (535 cc).
9.6:1 on aluminum heads is in the range that usually runs on pump premium; aluminum sheds heat faster than iron, which makes the same number a little more forgiving.
It is one of 7 engines in the Honda C-series family, the largest at 196 ci. 8 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 200 to 230 hp across 1991–1995.
| Displacement | 196 ci / 3.2 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5433" |
| Stroke | 3.3071" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.071 |
| Block material | aluminum |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | SOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 200–230 hp |
| Years | 1991–1995 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | C32A net | 200 @ 5500 | 210 lb-ft @ 4500 | 9.6:1 |
| 1993 | C32A net | 230 @ 6200 | 206 lb-ft @ 5000 | 9.6:1 |
| 1994 | C32A net | 230 @ 6200 | 206 lb-ft @ 5000 | 9.6:1 |
| 1995 | C32A net | 200 @ 5500 | 210 lb-ft @ 4500 | 9.6:1 |
| 1995 | C32A net | 230 @ 6200 | 206 lb-ft @ 5000 | 9.6:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.071 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,307 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 32.7 ci |
| Static compression | 9.6:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | — | C32A |
| 1992 | 200 hp | C32A |
| 1993 | — | C32A |
| 1993 | 230 hp | C32A |
| 1994 | — | C32A |
| 1994 | 230 hp | C32A |
| 1995 | 200 hp | C32A |
| 1995 | 230 hp | C32A |
1 factory vehicle, 1991–1995. Each year opens that model's engine table.