This paper presents effect of fuel spray angles such as narrow (60 degrees) and conventional (156 degrees) spray angles on spray behavior, combustion and emissions characteristics. To achieve research objectives, fuel spray images measured using a visualization system and two injectors at spray angles of 60 degrees and 156 degrees were analyzed for spray tip penetration and spray development processes as a function of injection timing and injection pressure. The spray angle effects on combustion and emission characteristics, and engine performance were analyzed. Results revealed that 60 degrees injector exhibited higher maximum combustion pressure, higher maximum heat release rate, and lower ignition delay than 156 degrees injector. Under various injection timings with 156 degrees spray angle, it is shown based on the experimental results that peak value of combustion pressure decreased when injection timing of 30 degrees BTDC (before top dead center) was advanced. Regarding emission characteristics, the use of narrow spray angle injector is advantages in case of an early injection combustion strategy because it yields low ISHC (indicated specific hydrocarbon), ISCO (indicated specific carbon monoxide), and ISNOx (indicated specific nitrogen oxides) emissions. In addition, the IMEP (indicated mean effective pressure) in a narrow spray angle injector is higher than that in conventional spray angle injector. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.