The Honda F20C and F22C engine is unrelated to the F-series found in the mid 90s Honda Accord and Prelude. It shares many properties with the K-series. This engine, unlike most F-series engines, has two counter-rotating overhead cams, a VTEC system for both the intake and exhaust camshaft, carbon-fiber reinforced cylinder liners (FRM), molybdenum disulfide-coated piston skirts for reduced friction, and uses a more modern chain driven valvetrain as opposed to a belt driven system. It is the only Honda 4-cylinder engine that is designed to sit longitudinally for rear wheel drive.
The F20C was designed with high maximum RPM in mind, for increased power output; redline is at 8900 rpm, with VTEC engagement at 6000 rpm. Power output is ECE (176 kW) at 8300 rpm in Europe or 240 hp SAE (180 kW) at 8300 rpm in North America. The Japanese version, which has a higher compression ratio, is capable of 250 hp JIS (184 kW) at 8600 rpm. Honda's F20C Engine won a spot on Ward's 10 Best Engines List four times, in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The engine displaces 1997 cubic centimeters, lending to the Honda S2000's name (1997 rounded to 2000). This method of naming follows suit with the rest of the Honda S-series.
The F20C's bore is and stroke is .
Applications:
The F20C produces the highest specific power for any naturally aspirated piston engine in a car worth less than US$100,000, at per liter, ahead of the 1.6L Honda B16B engine found in the 1996-2000 Honda Civic Type R (Japan only) producing 185hp (137kW) for a specific power of 115.8 hp/L.
