Honda VTEC, what's it like?

I've been offered a choice of Honda Civics, both '94 models but one with
VTEC and the other without.

On paper the VTEC one has a *lot* more power.

But I'm wondering how this extra power translates to drivability on the
road.

Am also concerned that VTEC might make future servicing and/or repair work
much more expensive.


How do insurance companies treat cars with VTEC?

And lastly (sorry) are the VTEC equipped Civics any different to the
standard engined ones in terms of gearboxes and chassis? The standard 5
speed Civic s I've driven are very sweet shifters.


Are there any people here with Honda VTEC experience who can comment on any
of the above?


thanks
Greg
(Greetings from Sydney, Australia)

 

No differently really - most of the cars in the Honda range now have VTEC.
Accord, CR-V, MDX... I think the only models that lack it are the Civic
sedan and Legend sedan.

 

making use of the extra power will involve revs. no big deal, very nice
to have when required.

better to ask them yourself I'd say. Probably varies from car to car.

the vtec ones will be nice too...

Charlie

 

The Civic EX and Hybrid sedans have VTEC as well, if you count the
variants, rather than just the original "power" VTEC.

 

For a normal pasenger car, you don't ever notice it. It boosts the
efficiency at the RPM extremes so you get more power and gas milage.
The sporty cars might kick a bit due to more agressive VTEC modes and
dual throttle body tuning.

You have to give Honda credit for refining complex designs into
incredibly simple mechanics. There's nothing about the VTEC system
that's prone to failure, difficult to service, or expensive. You might
be able to find a dealership that will pull a valve cover off if you ask
really nicely.

Doesn't matter. Variable valve timing is common these days.

The are slight variations between the different models but they all
shift as easily as flicking a light switch.

 

That extra power is usually only available at 7000 rpm, which makes it next
to useless.
If they're both the same price go with the VTEC.

 

Greg Hudson wrote:
....

....

Assuming they're local models (Australia), one's a 76kW GLi,
and the other's a 96kW VTi. The VTi wasn't one of their
really sporty engines, so it's actually got a relatively
nice torque-curve; certainly nicer than the same-shape 96kW
Si that preceded it. You will definitely notice the
difference to drive; the VTi will have more power & will
generally be more "driveable" ... I've driven the GLi
though, and it's still a nice car (if I found a "mint" GLi &
a "good-nick" VTi, for the same price I'd be tempted towards
the GLi).


--
--
Forg! -DUH#6=- (Y1)

"...
this crazy Forg surrounds me
..."
[Live - "When Dolphins Cry"]

 

And why do you say that?
I find mine quite useful, all the way up to 8000

 

i drove the GLi the other day (looking for a new car for a female friend),
and it was gutless as hell. 4sp Auto though, but the thing kept down
shifting just to get up hills etc... I'm giving the VTi a test tomorrow so
hopefully the VTEC will mean the power at the lower revs has been increased
too.

Otherwise i'll be looking at the similar year 2.0lt V6 Astra...

 

yep... because there is a shift in cam profile, they make the lower rev cams
more suitable to low revs so you get better power down low. Then the cams
shift as you pass 5500rpm or so and that profile is designed for higher revs
and more airflow thus more power up top. So you get the best of both worlds.

 

GiJO wrote:
....

....

Dunno what you're comparing to or expecting; they go as well
as just about anything of that age & size & price-range,
excepting the 2.0 Pulsar.


--
--
Forg! -DUH#6=- (Y1)

"...
this crazy Forg surrounds me
..."
[Live - "When Dolphins Cry"]

 

All depends what type of driver you are.
The HP numbers don't give justice to VTEC.
What the VTEC does, is switching to a more aggressive camshaft profile above
a threshold rpm.
That means that you have a regular camshaft at lower rpm which gives you
reasonable torque and that the engine doesn't choke when you bring it all
the way to the redline. So if you like reving up your engine and
accelarating all the way to the redline throughout all your gears, go with
the VTEC.

 

You get that in small cars with autos.



--
Ben Thomas - Melbourne - Australia
Current car: silver manual Holden Astra SRi
Dream car: black Lamborghini Diablo

Respect for the man in the ice-cream van.

 

Yeah. And maybe *she* should drive it.

 

Shit

CDIHL

 

Just ignore this statement by the DÅTT of aus.cars... He just loves picking
on "Hahahondas".

j

 

It mostly comes at the cost of having to rev the tits out of the enigne...

It's pretty seamless.

As mentioned, you need to be comfortable with using higher than normal rpm.
If you are, then it's no big deal. If not, then maybe it's not the best car
for you.

For general servicing I would't think so.

For potential (read - Costly) problems down the track, that's anyone's
guess.

You'd have to call them.

The Civic is generally a pretty good car, if somewhat over-priced, and I
really couldn't imagine the VTEC version being less enjoyable than the
common garden varity one.

A test drive in both will tell you heaps...

I haven't driven a VTEC Civic, but the Integra I drove was okay.

Not really my cup of tea, as I found it to be "just so" unless you were
standing on it hard, but that's the way they are I guess.

Regards,
Noddy.

 

My mother has a civic sedan vti with the vtec

What a bloody gutless pile of shit.

 

Here in North America, the difference between a 93/94 vtec and non-vtec is
significant. The Vtec engine is 1.6L while the non-vtec is 1.5L. The extra .1L
combined with the high revving ability is drastic. That being said, both car
had the same chassis and suspension system.

I'm impressed with the 93 Si's (hatchback) quickness, but not impressed with
it's weak body chassis (even though it had the very nimble and reliable double
wishbone). The more solid chassis found in the 96-00 model is more able to
handle abuse, which results in reliable dynamics over the years.

Pars
98 DX Hatch

 

Actually, VTEC engines have been around for more than ten years and
the reliability of the VTEC system has been excellent. Even with hard
use, VTEC engines (like all Honda engines) enjoy great longevity.