Fuel Pressure Maintenance For The 1992 Acura Vigor

The 1992 Acura Vigor was a unique car in many ways. It was a mid-sized, near-luxury sedan based on the Honda Accord, with an inline five-cylinder engine and a range of features that made it stand out from its competitors. With only 32,584 units sold, the Vigor is a rare sight today. But what was the fuel pressure on this distinctive vehicle?

The Acura Vigor's engine was a unique, all-aluminum 2.5L G-series Honda 5-cylinder engine

The Acura Vigor, introduced in 1992, was a mid-sized near-luxury sedan based on the Honda Accord. The Acura Vigor's engine was a unique, all-aluminum 2.5L G-series Honda 5-cylinder engine. This engine was part of Honda's G-series, their family of lesser-known five-cylinder engines, which also included a 2.0L version. The G-series engine was first introduced in the 1989 Honda Vigor, which was imported to North America as the Acura Vigor.

The G-series engine was an inline, single overhead cam five-cylinder engine. Structurally, it was similar to the Honda F-series four-cylinder engine but with an additional cylinder. The 2.5L version of this engine produced 176 horsepower and 170 ft-lbs of torque, which were decent numbers for its time. The engine was fuel-injected and featured 20 valves.

One of the most interesting features of the Acura Vigor's engine was its longitudinal mounting, typically seen in rear-wheel-drive cars. This mounting position, along with the transmission being attached behind the engine, gave the car a nearly 50/50 weight distribution. This unusual layout for a front-wheel-drive car allowed for better weight distribution than the more common transverse layout.

The G-series engine was also used in other Honda models, including the Honda Inspire (known as the Acura TL in North America), the Honda Rafaga, and the Honda Ascot. However, these models did not achieve significant success, as buyers preferred larger, more popular sport and luxury sedans with V6 engines. As a result, Honda discontinued the G-series engine in 1998, making it a short-lived experiment in the company's history.

The engine was mounted longitudinally, with a driveshaft delivering power to the front through a limited-slip differential

The 1992 Acura Vigor was a unique car in many ways. One of its standout features was its engine and drivetrain configuration. The Vigor was equipped with a longitudinally mounted engine, which is quite unusual for a front-wheel-drive car. The inline five-cylinder engine was mounted lengthwise in the engine bay, with the transmission attached directly behind it. This arrangement is typically more common in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, but Acura, or Honda, employed this setup to achieve a more balanced weight distribution between the front and rear wheels.

The driveshaft played a crucial role in delivering power to the front of the car. It sent power from the transmission to an asymmetrically installed limited-slip differential, positioned just in front of the engine. This differential then supplied power to the front wheels through half shafts. This design not only improved weight distribution but also contributed to the Vigor's handling dynamics. The limited-slip differential ensured that the engine's power was efficiently transferred to the wheels, providing adequate performance for the drivers.

The limited-slip differential worked in tandem with the weight distribution to maximise the use of the engine's power output. The Vigor produced 176 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, resulting in competitive acceleration figures. While the car didn't offer blistering speed, it provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The engine's power delivery, along with the differential's ability to manage traction and prevent wheel slippage, contributed to the car's overall performance and handling characteristics.

The Vigor's engine and drivetrain setup was a key factor in its unique character. The longitudinal engine mounting and the use of a limited-slip differential were uncommon for a front-wheel-drive sedan in the early 1990s. This configuration not only improved the car's performance but also contributed to its distinct driving feel. The Vigor offered a blend of comfort and responsiveness, with a smooth engine and a well-balanced chassis.

The engine mounting and driveshaft arrangement had a significant impact on the overall design and functionality of the Acura Vigor. By positioning the engine and transmission in this way, the engineers were able to achieve the desired weight distribution and optimise the car's handling dynamics. The limited-slip differential further enhanced the car's performance and traction, ensuring that power was efficiently transferred to the wheels.

The Vigor was available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox

The 1992 Acura Vigor was a unique car, with its powerful inline five-cylinder engine and a range of luxury features. The Vigor was available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox, giving buyers a choice between a more engaged driving experience or the convenience of an automatic.

The 5-speed manual transmission was standard on the Vigor, offering a more sporty and engaged driving feel. The close-ratio gears allowed drivers to make full use of the engine's power and provided a more connected driving experience. With the manual transmission, the Vigor offered adequate performance, and while it might not win many drag races, it offered a good balance of power and control.

For those who preferred a more relaxed driving experience, the 4-speed automatic transmission was available as an option. This transmission provided smooth and effortless gear changes, making the Vigor a comfortable cruiser. The automatic was well-suited to the car's character, prioritising comfort and ease of driving.

The positioning of the gearbox behind the engine was a unique design choice by Acura. This arrangement, along with the use of a driveshaft, allowed for better weight distribution and improved handling dynamics. The Vigor's weight distribution was biased slightly towards the front, with a 60/40 front-to-rear ratio, which contributed to its stable and balanced feel on the road.

The Vigor's gearbox options were part of its overall appeal as a comfortable and well-equipped sedan. The interior featured modern conveniences such as automatic windows, automatic locks, and a sophisticated stereo system with an in-dash cassette player and a trunk-mounted CD player. The cabin offered a traditional leather interior with power-operated seats, creating a luxurious and comfortable environment for drivers and passengers alike.

The Vigor's unique engine and transmission setup, along with its comfortable and well-appointed interior, made it a rare and intriguing offering in the early 1990s automotive market. Its combination of performance, luxury, and practicality contributed to its appeal, even if it didn't achieve the sales success Acura had hoped for.

The interior featured a self-balancing audio system with an in-dash cassette player and a trunk-mounted CD player

The 1992 Acura Vigor was a mid-sized, near-luxury sedan based on the Honda Accord. It was only sold in the US from 1992 to 1994 and was Acura's flagship model. The interior of the Vigor was equipped with a self-balancing audio system, featuring an in-dash cassette player and a trunk-mounted CD player. This setup would have been a very enticing feature in the early 1990s.

The self-balancing audio system was a modern convenience that complemented the car's other amenities, such as automatic windows, automatic locks, and a sophisticated stereo system. The in-dash cassette player and trunk-mounted CD player offered a versatile entertainment experience, catering to both cassette and CD formats.

The in-dash cassette player was a standard feature in many cars during the early 1990s. It allowed users to play cassette tapes, which were a popular music storage medium at the time. The cassette player was integrated into the dashboard, providing easy access and a sleek look. It featured the typical functions of a cassette deck, including play, pause, fast-forward, and rewind.

The trunk-mounted CD player, on the other hand, was a more advanced feature. CDs were gaining popularity during the early 1990s, and having a CD player in a car was considered a luxury. By mounting the CD player in the trunk, Acura provided a more sophisticated and space-saving solution compared to the more common dashboard-mounted CD players. The trunk-mounted CD player likely had a dedicated magazine or slot for storing multiple CDs, ensuring that users had easy access to their music collection.

The combination of the in-dash cassette player and the trunk-mounted CD player offered a versatile entertainment system that could cater to different music formats. It allowed users to enjoy their existing cassette tape collections while also embracing the emerging CD format. This versatility ensured that the Vigor's audio system remained relevant and functional even as technology evolved.

The self-balancing audio system, with its in-dash cassette player and trunk-mounted CD player, was a significant selling point for the 1992 Acura Vigor. It showcased Acura's attention to detail and their commitment to providing a modern and luxurious driving experience.

The Acura Vigor was sold in the US from 1992-1994 as Acura's flagship model

The Acura Vigor, sold in the US from 1992 to 1994, was a flagship model for Acura, the US-based luxury arm of Honda. The Vigor was introduced in 1992 as a daring move by Acura, which had debuted as the first Japanese luxury car brand in America in 1986. The Vigor was a mid-sized, near-luxury sedan based on the Honda Accord, with two trim levels: the LS and the higher-content GS. The GS trim added leather seats, a sunroof, a power driver's seat, and a more sophisticated stereo. The Vigor was offered with either an automatic or manual transmission, and power came from an inline five-cylinder engine.

The Acura Vigor was unique, with its inline-five engine smoother than a four-cylinder but lighter and less thirsty than a V-6. The engine was installed at a 35-degree slant to accommodate the fifth cylinder, and power was sent forward through a curious transmission arrangement, with a longitudinal shaft sitting beside the engine transferring output to the front differential. This design gave the Vigor a 60/40 front-to-rear weight distribution, better than any Acura built at the time, except for the NSX.

The Vigor's performance positioning within the Acura lineup made sense, slotting between the Integra and the Legend. It was more refined than the Integra but rawer than the Legend, with a dual-stage intake manifold that allowed more engine noise into the cockpit, and wood trim with a subtle matte finish. The Vigor's handling was described as "German," with soft spring rates but firm compression and rebound damping.

Despite its unique characteristics, the Vigor struggled to find buyers, who may have found it too similar to the less expensive Honda Accord or preferred the more luxurious Legend. Acura attempted to boost sales by increasing rear seat room, softening the suspension, and re-engineering the steering rack for the 1994 model year, but these changes were unsuccessful, and production of the Vigor ended in May 1994. The Vigor was replaced by the 1996 Acura TL/Honda Saber.

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