"Honda" offered a C.V.C.C. engine to "Chevrolet" and they refused it?

[Telecolor 3007]

In order to meet the standrad of emissions designed for the '70's, the engineers of "Honda" camed up with the C.V.C.C. engine. I've seen one YouTube videos (probably A.I. generated) that the company offered a bigger prototype engine for "Chevrolet", but they and the other 2 big companies ("Ford" and "Chrysler") refused it. After a time they wanted to have it, but "Honda" sayed no, because it was arleady competion. I've found one article at a "Google" search. But is this story true or just a make up?

 

[TPettenati]

Seems like 'net folk lore. Probably contains some truth with a lot of embellishments added over the years.

Here's an article from 2014 on the subject, which contains a link to a purported EPA test document.

The mid 70's were a sad time for automotive performance. 5.7L and only 160 H.P.

 

[geezin']

That story was around before the 'net.

Emmissions and fuel economy are the reasons we have these wonderful engines available now. Engines were pretty bad while they sorted it out but they got it done. Anyone remember Chrysler's Lean Burn technology and how awful it was? American auto companies first priority is profit and it shows. The Japanese ethic "make something to be proud of and the money will come" should be applied but they won't take the time and effort unless making a dollar on every penny spent.

 

[gadget73]

EFI really was a miracle worker for emissions control. Getting rid of the miles of vacuum lines and the thermal vac valves that did assorted things and the dismally low compression that was the fix-all for emissions at the expense of power. Once the emissions were under control, compression came back and power with it. From the late 70s to the late 80s on the same displacement V8 it wasn't uncommon to see a 75+ hp gain.

 

[YY1]

GM partnered with Isuzu and later Toyota.

Ford partnered with Mazda and later Nissan.

Chrysler partnered with Mitsubishi and later briefly and superficially with Nissan.

Honda was odd man out for some reason.

 

[opnly bafld]

Honda was odd man out for some reason.

They supplied V6 engines and transmissions for the GM/Saturn Vue.

 

[TSmith8605]

. . . Honda was odd man out for some reason.

Honda power in this year's Aston Martin F1 car, but at this point Honda probably don't want to advertise that.

 

[Hajidub]

GM partnered with Isuzu and later Toyota.

Ford partnered with Mazda and later Nissan.

Chrysler partnered with Mitsubishi and later briefly and superficially with Nissan.

Honda was odd man out for some reason.

Ford also partnered with Yamaha. A lot of folks forget, but that Taurus SHO engine was a modern marvel for it's time.

 

[opnly bafld]

A lot of folks forget, but that Taurus SHO engine was a modern marvel for it's time.

How so?

 

[Hajidub]

How so?

A early 90's V8 that redlined at 7K with low end torque and high end HP while meeting emissions without secondary air pumps. The internals were built for tons of upgrades, didn't even raise an eyebrow at massive HP.

 

[enricosonic]

In order to meet the standrad of emissions designed for the '70's, the engineers of "Honda" camed up with the C.V.C.C. engine. I've seen one YouTube videos (probably A.I. generated) that the company offered a bigger prototype engine for "Chevrolet", but they and the other 2 big companies ("Ford" and "Chrysler") refused it. After a time they wanted to have it, but "Honda" sayed no, because it was arleady competion. I've found one article at a "Google" search. But is this story true or just a make up?

One of my early cars was a used 1978 Honda Civic CVCC 5-speed. Red with 12” black wheels with “beauty rings”, wood shift knob and steering wheel. Extra gauges came on this. Black vinyl with houndstooth cloth inserts for the seats.

Maybe 63 BHP? But it didn’t weigh much and was super nimble. Fun car. It was before they tamed torque steer, so when you got on it in a corner the front wheels wanted to straighten out. No matter, that car was a blast while getting 35/40 mpg. Didn’t need a catalytic converter it burned so clean.

I saw one on BaT bring over $30K not long ago. Certainly a scarce item these days.

I want ‘em all back!

 

[ConradH]

I knew someone that had one. He said it stood for "Convoluted Very Complicated Carburetor."

 

[Hajidub]

One of my early cars was a used 1978 Honda Civic CVCC 5-speed. Red with 12” black wheels with “beauty rings”, wood shift knob and steering wheel. Extra gauges came on this. Black vinyl with houndstooth cloth inserts for the seats.

Maybe 63 BHP? But it didn’t weigh much and was super nimble. Fun car. It was before they tamed torque steer, so when you got on it in a corner the front wheels wanted to straighten out. No matter, that car was a blast while getting 35/40 mpg. Didn’t need a catalytic converter it burned so clean.

I saw one on BaT bring over $30K not long ago. Certainly a scarce item these days.

I want ‘em all back!

Was that with the foam lower rear window for a bumper?

 

[enricosonic]

I knew someone that had one. He said it stood for "Convoluted Very Complicated Carburetor."

Mine was great, like sewing-machine precise. Except for a worn distributor shaft bushing. So sometimes I'd have to pull over and gap the points. Put it 4th or 5th, push the car on the side of the road until the gap was at its peak...

I remember when I went to sell it, I had the distributor re-bushed. It was like "what the eff took me so long" it wasn't that much cash. But I was broke back then.

Was that with the foam lower rear window for a bumper?

No not that Honda. That was pre-Civic, the 600. I'll post pics.

 

[enricosonic]

Was that with the foam lower rear window for a bumper?

You mean this?

 

[enricosonic]

This was my car:

 

[enricosonic]

Park one of these next to the current Civic, which also dwarfs the original Accord.

Cars are safer.. I don't always like the rest.

 

[opnly bafld]

A early 90's V8 that redlined at 7K with low end torque and high end HP while meeting emissions without secondary air pumps. The internals were built for tons of upgrades, didn't even raise an eyebrow at massive HP.

V8 wasn't until '96.
I guess maybe by Detroit standards it was something.

 

[ConradH]

Park one of these next to the current Civic, which also dwarfs the original Accord.

Cars are safer.. I don't always like the rest.

We had a silver grey 1985 Honda Accord SEi. It was a miniature luxury car, and the view was like sitting in a fishbowl, compared to modern offerings. Drove it until it rusted away.

 

[dly66]

Could have happened, I mean from the 70s on the big 3 got in bed with various Japanese companies for various vehicles. The old Chevy LUV pickups were Isuzu, Mazda Couriers (preceded the Ranger) were Mazda the later Ford F-150 and Rangers with manual transmissions I do believe many of those were Mazda design transmissions. My 98 Ranger has a Mazda manual mated to an old iron block Ford engine.

You had the Toyota Corolla sold as a Chevy Nova, later the Geo Prizm, and the Matrix with a Pontiac Vibe as a twin (NUMMI partnership). Late 70s and later there was the Buick Opel, Geo Storm and Prizm all Isuzu sold some Suzukis as the Geo Tracker and Metro. I think Ford borrowed from Mazda for some of the old Escort and Focus models. Also had the MX-6/Probe pairing late 80s into the 90s built in Flat Rock MI. I seem to remember Chrysler going with Mitsubishi a number of times too. About forgot about the Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser from the Diamond Star combination.