How noticeable is VTEC?

[feck_on_a_stick]

Apologies in advance as no doubt this has been asked before now on here.  I did try a search but can't find anything.

 

I've owned my MB6 VTI-S a week now and today was the first day I was able to get out and have a proper run in it.  I def feel like there is something holding it back but I'm not sure what.

 

When I had my old S2000 there was a definate noticable change in sound and feel when I went into VTEC throughout each gear.  In the VTI-S I don't hear or feel anything.  It's just a continuous rev through the range.  Are they designed to have a smooth changeover on these engines or should there definately be something noticable either by feel or by sound?

 

I've waited until the car is up to temperature and it revs freely up to about 8,500rpm. 

 

The previous owner had said that he had changed the cams to Integra ones.  Does the timing need adjusted or anything like that with this change?  I've noticed that there had been a red mark on the top of the distributor that someone has marked but which wasn't exactly lining up. It was just a cm out at most. I aligned it back hoping that's all it needed, but no real change.

 

I'm thinking of booking it in to a local Jap specialist to put it on the rolling road and find out what it's putting out, but it def feels 20-30bhp down on what I was expecting but hoping in the meantime someone might have an idea, or point me in the direction of where I could find timing figures that I can compare against.

 

The only other mod is an exhaust.  Thanks

[NIKH25]

Vtec is not as noticeable or aggressive on these as on other engines like the F20 or K20 but you should still notice the change; vtec cam lift @4.5k and iabs opening @ 5.8k.

 

It's worth giving it a service as they love fresh oil, ecu reset and check the air box isn't full of leaves etc.

[feck_on_a_stick]

Thanks

 

I've checked the air filter and it looks like a new standard panel filter must have been fitted recently. 

 

I'll have a nosey as to how to carry out an ecu reset as this is all new to me lol

 

The more I think about it though, the more I feel it's not running how it should.  Half the fun of running a project I guess

[NIKH25]

Removing the resonator will make the change more noticeable.

 

ECU reset: Run the car up to temp, remove the ecu and ecu backup fuses or disconnect the battery and leave for 10 minutes or more, reconnect or replace, start the car and leave idling until it gets up to temp again, I leave mine till the fan comes on.

[simpo]

Also check ur oil level!

[KiNK43]

Vtec is very smooth on these. Designed that way. Its never gonna be comparible to s2000.

Just like my eu8 civic d16 vtec is not comparible to a b18.

They are designed with a certain purpose in mind.

But sure check the basics for peace of mind.

[feck_on_a_stick]

Oil level is fine, although I've noticed a few drips in the drive and need to try and find out where that is coming from    Unfortunately I can't do much on the car over the next couple of weeks as too busy with work, but I'll get there and looking forward to having the time to start getting it sorted

 

I'd guessed it might have a more smoother changeover than the S as it was intended as a different type of car for a different market, but I also figured the changeover would at least still be noticeable. 

 

I'm going to book it on to a local rolling road in a few weeks at a local Jap specialist and get a health check while it's there simply for a bit of piece of mind.

 

Thanks folks

[snakey135]

With this ECU reset... I havn't done it since owning it would it be a good idea to do so?

Also what exactly does an ECU reset do?? It cant mess anything up can it?

[Krzys]

As said above, the C4 was designed to be a compromise between pottering around and giving it the beans all the time so it's a very smooth, linear delivery of power, you'd hear it better with the exhaust you've mentioned I'd have thought, though an air filter/induction kit will definately let you know it's working! The Tegiwa carbon intake has to be my favourite for noise! But an Integra Type R (ITR) airbox is a forum favourite for subtle and making decent power!

 

Hope you manage to sort the oil leak! Just keep on top of the levels if you can't look at it just yet!

[feck_on_a_stick]

Hope you manage to sort the oil leak! Just keep on top of the levels if you can't look at it just yet!

 

 

 

I got the car up on a friends ramp and discovered it's coming from the sump.  Hopefully just needs a new sump gasket, but leaving it in with someone this weekend to get it done.  What I hadn't realised when I first posted this thread was that the heating is up the left as well.  The temperature guage takes forever to warm up and then doesn't stay constant, so hopefully just a simple thermostat change needing done too.

 

Getting it up on the ramp was certainly worthwhile though as I've noticed the fuel and brake lines are quite badly corroded and the discs are due a replacement too.  The lines could probably just get a clean to get through the MOT in February but some parts of it do look bad and I'd rather just replace them and know that's them done for another good while

 

So there's gonna be a few quid thrown at the car in the next week or two, but hopefully that'll be the last bit of maintenance for a bit and I can concentrate more on mods.