Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Robert, welcome! Both of Honda's vertical shaft engine families (GCV and GXV) are pretty mature. Is there anything on the horizon that you can share with us regarding new engine development, or even refinements to the current engines? As an example, I think most GCVs went to an automatic choke 4-5 years ago on most applications, but they're relatively unchanged since they came out about 15 years ago, right?
Also: pretty much any Honda engine we buy in the United States is made in the United States, right? If I recall, they're made in Swepsonville, NC. Is that still the case? I hope Honda is planning no changes in that regard; I appreciate being able to buy an American-made engine.
The GX (horizontal) and GXV (vertical) are indeed mature designs, but are Honda's bread-n-butter engines. The GC/GCV (diagonal split-block, OHC) are right at 20 years old now, and have plenty of product life cycle left. One of the main goals in their development was more shared parts (read: lower costs) and that has worked out quite well. The split-block design has found its way into larger Honda V-twin engines, and had great reception from the OEM market. While I can't share any unannounced specifics, it would be obvious there will be more development, features, improvements to the GC/GCV line-up. A special commercial-grade version called the GS/GSV has some nice upgrades (bearings, 2-stage air cleaner, cast iron sleeve) that will take this product line well into the future. You're right about the GCV engines...the manual choke has pretty much been replaced with the expanding-wax-clyinder-spring-type autochoke. This was mostly due to a request from many OEMs who buy loose Honda engines to eliminate the manual choke control and cable. It was determined too many new customers were not sure what the purpose of the choke was, or how/when it should be used.
I'll get a full list, but the Honda plant in Swepsonville makes all the Honda GC/GCV and GS/GSV engines 190-160cc sold in the USA. This included OEM engines you might find on non-Honda mowers, pressure washers, etc. and of course, all but one of Honda's walk-behind mowers. FYI, only Honda makes a single-stage snowblower who's engine, frame, etc. are fully cast, machined, and assembled in the USA. Last year, Honda also shifted production of all 2-stage snow blower (10 models) to the USA.
