Anyone know how to invoke my VTec at lower RPM's?

[GeneralDzur]

Well, my VTec kicks in at 4,800 RPM's, and I would like for it to kick in at about 3,900. How would I go about doing this? I know there are a couple of ways, but what is the cheapest?

- Dzur

[Wren57]

I know there is a vtec controller out there, I believe it is made by APEXi, but I'm not sure. Something like a vafc if I recall correctly...

*edit* yup, I was right

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33582&item=2461902601

[IALuder]

a vtec controller. APex is imo the best. but then agian greddy makes good products and they just released one.

or you could try the expensive as hell Hondata system.

[Civickid0to60]

hx racing has a touchscreen one :-p, but cheapest is probably APEXi, but the greddy one i would trust with my life. :yes:

[pdiggitydogg]

a used fields controller would be cheaper, or maybe even a chip from hyperducktuning.com

But ya know, honda put vtec where it is for a reason...it works where it is.

[MAXed Out]

Yeah use a APEXi or Greddy. WHy would u wanna change it anyways?

[ChrisCantSkate]

on stock cams lowering it will probobly hurt your performance any more than 3-400rmps below stock. but the cheapest way, spoon made a dial that you could manually adjust it with, next would be a used fields vtec controller, then a apex(my #1 choice for easy of use and abilities)

[thermal]

Or you can jerry rig the switch to your TPS. But I wont even preach that. Chris pretty much summed it up.... in that order of cost. Goodluck

[GT40FIED]

Originally posted by thermalfi'd16
Or you can jerry rig the switch to your TPS. But I wont even preach that. Chris pretty much summed it up.... in that order of cost. Goodluck

That'd be a lot of work to get the Vtec in sooner without causing a shitty idle. I've known a few guys with Vtec timers that had pretty good success using them. But I've also heard using it at lower rpms can cause reliability issues.

[Shaved &/or Laid]

id get the spoon one. MY friends got it in his Eg and its pretty fly.

[cashizslick]

Originally posted by SFKing
a vtec controller. APex is imo the best. but then agian greddy makes good products and they just released one.

or you could try the expensive as hell Hondata system.

300$ = expensive?

[cashizslick]

VTEC is not supposed to be lowered. The only point of the VTEC controler is to RAISE the vtec engaugement point when you use more agressive camshafts.

The only time you would benefit from lowering the VTEC point is if you were running a supercharger.

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by cashizslick
VTEC is not supposed to be lowered. The only point of the VTEC controler is to RAISE the vtec engaugement point when you use more agressive camshafts.

The only time you would benefit from lowering the VTEC point is if you were running a supercharger.

well... close... the point of a vtec controller is to help match your power curves of upper and lower cam lobs to have a seamless crossover so theres no power spike, and no loss of power from it being too low/high. at least thats what i've been told, seen, experienced

[GeneralDzur]

Wow...too much information...j/k :P

Actually that's pretty handy to know. I've heard about VTec being useless at lower RPM's or causing a bad idle. I guess that's fine. I talked to a performance parts shop today who installs Nitrous systems, (but not Turbos) and I asked him some advice on turbo kits. He said he wouldn't even bother turbo-ing a SOHC, because the only boost you could reliably run would be something like 6 or 7 PSI at max. Sooo..basically, the only reason I wanted to time the VTec lower was because I rarely get up to 4,800 RPMs in regular driving, and I just wanted the xtra power increase available at lower RPM's. But thanks for all the info guys, really.

So basically VTec is just a way of.....what? Timing the valves for more power at higher RPM's? I've never really understood it very well.

In the end I'll probably just get a B16 and stick it in there, and then run a turbo on it.

- Dzur

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by GeneralDzur
So basically VTec is just a way of.....what? Timing the valves for more power at higher RPM's? I've never really understood it very well.


in a nutshell yes

[pdiggitydogg]

Originally posted by GeneralDzur
He said he wouldn't even bother turbo-ing a SOHC, because the only boost you could reliably run would be something like 6 or 7 PSI at max.

Your mechanic is an idiot and should be kicked in the head. He clearly doesnt understand how things work. D's will hold up to the same amount of boost as almost any engine (basically). Theyre not made out of foil... Yes, compared to say a b18b/b20, D16's have higher compression...but b16s and b18c's have even higher compression. D16's are not junk and take to boost very well.

http://www.turbod16.com/viewtopic.php?t=4140
There is a good list of turbo D16's. Notice that many of them are totally stock internals. Christ, even if you did want more power, you could always resleeve the damn block.
I'd stop going to that place if I were you...they clearly dont know anything. 'Reliably'...:scoff: Its called tuning!
(then again, you did say they do not deal w/ turbo apps)

Anyway...now that I got that out of my system...
If youre looking for more low end power get a supercharger (which you will get tired of on your d16) or swap in a b18/b20 for a lot more torque (b18b if you want a good turbo motor and b20 for gobs of torque on a stock motor).

[GeneralDzur]

Yeah, but I'd want to run more than a 6 or 7 PSI boost. I was hoping for something like 12-14. He said that the SOHC doesn't handle the pressure very well and that's it's rough on it. Is that true?

Another question while I'm at it: Would $600 for a NOS system (installed) be a good price?

- Dzur

[AkimboStylee]

yes, but what brand, for your cr, i would run a zex 75 shot, dry of course

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by GeneralDzur
Yeah, but I'd want to run more than a 6 or 7 PSI boost. I was hoping for something like 12-14. He said that the SOHC doesn't handle the pressure very well and that's it's rough on it. Is that true?

Another question while I'm at it: Would $600 for a NOS system (installed) be a good price?

- Dzur

so this guy sells nitrous kits... told you your engine sucks for turbo and nitrous is the better way to go? he's just trying to make sales:yes:

[pdiggitydogg]

definatey
MOST engines would not be able to withstand 12-14psi (notice I said 'MOST'). D16's will take up to "10psi on stock internals" is pretty much the standard saying. Bseries is the same if you ask me (minus ls...which might be able to eek out a bit more) If you want to run that much boost youre going to have to redo the rods at the very least and and even then Id look into resleeving.
12-14 is acually quite a lot...most people run under 10 for daily driving...think of roughly 8whp/psi...8*10=80more whp.....thats a lot
D series engines are just as capable as B series... Plus theyre cheaper (That is a fact, I am not sparking the dvsb again...thats in the civic forum)

[GeneralDzur]

Originally posted by ChrisCantSkate
so this guy sells nitrous kits... told you your engine sucks for turbo and nitrous is the better way to go? he's just trying to make sales:yes:

No, he wasn't trying to sell me his Nitrous kits. He had a turbo installed on his Civic, and he said he'd refer me to the guy who did the work for him. It was *me* who asked him about the Nitrous kit, and that was the price he quoted me.

- Dzur

[KwikR6]

Originally posted by pdiggitydogg


But ya know, honda put vtec where it is for a reason...it works where it is.
BINGO.
On a stock engine. not worth it.

And yes your D can handle boost!

[cashizslick]

Originally posted by GeneralDzur
Yeah, but I'd want to run more than a 6 or 7 PSI boost. I was hoping for something like 12-14. He said that the SOHC doesn't handle the pressure very well and that's it's rough on it. Is that true?

Another question while I'm at it: Would $600 for a NOS system (installed) be a good price?


dude, if ur gonna run more than 8 psi on a sohc all the time you will induce mad wear and tear on your motor.

re-inforce the darn thing.