how to tell vtec is working properly
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: san jose
Rep Power: 275 
how to tell vtec is working properly
ok i have serious issues with my car sometimes. it has its good days and bad but mostly bad. i've never had a civic before so i dont know much about them. i do have an ex model with vtec and well i was wandering how can you tell if the vtec is working properly because i get occasions somethimes when ill hit the gas and my car will sound as if i am just going fast but it feels more as if it is lagging on me or something. sometimes ill be taking off and i'll smah down on the pedal and my car wont even go any faster instead it'll keep going until i let go of the gas and do it again then it'll take off. so far this car has been embarrinsing me, especially when it makes all this noise for no reason. all i have in my car is i/e and i used to have dc headers but they craked for some reason. oh yea i've been asked by others when does the vtec kick in and well how do i know when vtec has engaged/ thanks for the help guys im really learning a lot from this site.
Balut Eating Champ
iTrader: (29)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by vtecdavis
u can hear vtec waaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaa....j/k.
i say it kicks in about 3.5-4 grand
i say it kicks in about 3.5-4 grand
#1 our cars even with bolt ons are friggin slow... so accept the fact!
#2 if you think it ain't working properly or something wrong with it, bring it to the dealership they'll fixed it for free...
#3 save your money and buy a different car, an si maybe or an engine swap then slap a turbo...
Last edited by pnoyster2k1cvic; Jun 19, 2004 at 05:25 PM.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 
I can barely feel a difference and I have pnp head, intake, and header. I have a vtec controler, so I see the light change colors around 3k rpms when it engages.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 3
From: Washington DC
Rep Power: 424 Listen... you can hear the difference....
Click, if no direct link, then click the mpg link
The only way to tell is to probe the ECU (hook up a VTEC indicator), even then, that just says that the ECU is engaging it. I don't know how to check the solenoid or the lift mechanism.
Click, if no direct link, then click the mpg link
The only way to tell is to probe the ECU (hook up a VTEC indicator), even then, that just says that the ECU is engaging it. I don't know how to check the solenoid or the lift mechanism.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 I can't hear mine. On the older gen civics, it was kind of like a supercharger/whistle noise. They got rid of that with the new models.
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Im told that if the EX's VTEC stops working it doesnt just become an "LX". The EX is designed around the VTEC and if it doesnt work it will run like a turd. Even an LX would destroy it. So if you have to ask if it's working then it probably is.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564
Originally Posted by gearbox
Yeah you're right. Car will feel like it's falling apart and not want to go without vtec.
Registered!!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Rep Power: 0 If your cars an auto it takes awhile for the ecu to calculate the lowest safe gear and then for the torque converter to lock it in...
then again it shouldn't take as long as your saying with you being able to cruise for awhile with it like that...
then again it shouldn't take as long as your saying with you being able to cruise for awhile with it like that...
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 Yeah really. I have major vtec lag on my auto 
I'm being serious. After a shift, there is a 1-2sec pause before it starts pulling again.
I'm being serious. After a shift, there is a 1-2sec pause before it starts pulling again. 
Super Hoser
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 301 our cars have vtec-e...dont think we can hear it
i've had both the LX and Si(usa EX) and i cant tell the difference between either engine....both feels the same to me except i now have stuff such as painted mirrors, abs, and a moonroof.....oh, and love the variable wiper speeds..hehe
i've had both the LX and Si(usa EX) and i cant tell the difference between either engine....both feels the same to me except i now have stuff such as painted mirrors, abs, and a moonroof.....oh, and love the variable wiper speeds..hehe
Back From The Banned!
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,226
Likes: 0
From: Queens, New York, US
Rep Power: 339 In the old model Civics with VTEC, there was a kick, but they werent there for econo reasons. Also, in the older models, you had to warm up the car before VTEC would engage. Yes, I have been in a B16 when it was cold.... it was pretty disappointing, but once it was warm it was all good. Is that the case for the 7thgen as well?
Registered!!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by turboslug
on 7th gens, vtec-e is used to save gas...someone should dig up that website that explains the differences between all those different versions of vtec...
http://www.leecao.com/honda/vtec/whatsvtec.html
look on the left for the different types
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Hm, I am not that familiar with V-TEC system because My LX DONT HAVE THEM!!
But I have drove Honda with V-TEC such as, 2000 Civic Si, 2001 S2000, Acura RSX-Type S, and i also drove 99 Civic EX automatic. Of course Civic was not the best car out of those I listed, but from my experience, the sound changes, and you get a good kick when the V-TEC engages. BUT!!!! as I listed the 99 Civic Ex with automatic transmission, I was unable to feel anything in that car, but i could barely hear the sound getting louder around I say...5,500 RPM??? not sure but it was towards the end of the power band.
So try to hear the sound changes, or feel the little kick.
But here is one more tip! if the V-TEC is not working properly, the RPM will simply will not get higher than a certain point and that point is the RPM where the V-TEC is supposed to kick in. I had a friend with Accord manual transmission, and he would normally beat me by half a car with intake and exhaust. And his V-TEC stopped working all of the sudden, and i smoked him with my LX manual. So if the V-TEC is not working in your car, you should notice it right away.
Hope it helped.
But I have drove Honda with V-TEC such as, 2000 Civic Si, 2001 S2000, Acura RSX-Type S, and i also drove 99 Civic EX automatic. Of course Civic was not the best car out of those I listed, but from my experience, the sound changes, and you get a good kick when the V-TEC engages. BUT!!!! as I listed the 99 Civic Ex with automatic transmission, I was unable to feel anything in that car, but i could barely hear the sound getting louder around I say...5,500 RPM??? not sure but it was towards the end of the power band.
So try to hear the sound changes, or feel the little kick.
But here is one more tip! if the V-TEC is not working properly, the RPM will simply will not get higher than a certain point and that point is the RPM where the V-TEC is supposed to kick in. I had a friend with Accord manual transmission, and he would normally beat me by half a car with intake and exhaust. And his V-TEC stopped working all of the sudden, and i smoked him with my LX manual. So if the V-TEC is not working in your car, you should notice it right away.
Hope it helped.
Super Hoser
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 301
Originally Posted by MugenRacer
Hm, I am not that familiar with V-TEC system because My LX DONT HAVE THEM!!
But I have drove Honda with V-TEC such as, 2000 Civic Si, 2001 S2000, Acura RSX-Type S, and i also drove 99 Civic EX automatic. Of course Civic was not the best car out of those I listed, but from my experience, the sound changes, and you get a good kick when the V-TEC engages. BUT!!!! as I listed the 99 Civic Ex with automatic transmission, I was unable to feel anything in that car, but i could barely hear the sound getting louder around I say...5,500 RPM??? not sure but it was towards the end of the power band.
So try to hear the sound changes, or feel the little kick.
But here is one more tip! if the V-TEC is not working properly, the RPM will simply will not get higher than a certain point and that point is the RPM where the V-TEC is supposed to kick in. I had a friend with Accord manual transmission, and he would normally beat me by half a car with intake and exhaust. And his V-TEC stopped working all of the sudden, and i smoked him with my LX manual. So if the V-TEC is not working in your car, you should notice it right away.
Hope it helped.
But I have drove Honda with V-TEC such as, 2000 Civic Si, 2001 S2000, Acura RSX-Type S, and i also drove 99 Civic EX automatic. Of course Civic was not the best car out of those I listed, but from my experience, the sound changes, and you get a good kick when the V-TEC engages. BUT!!!! as I listed the 99 Civic Ex with automatic transmission, I was unable to feel anything in that car, but i could barely hear the sound getting louder around I say...5,500 RPM??? not sure but it was towards the end of the power band.
So try to hear the sound changes, or feel the little kick.
But here is one more tip! if the V-TEC is not working properly, the RPM will simply will not get higher than a certain point and that point is the RPM where the V-TEC is supposed to kick in. I had a friend with Accord manual transmission, and he would normally beat me by half a car with intake and exhaust. And his V-TEC stopped working all of the sudden, and i smoked him with my LX manual. So if the V-TEC is not working in your car, you should notice it right away.
Hope it helped.
the 7th gen EX doesnt use the same vtec as the older 6th gen EX...
we have vtec-e for saving gas while the older civics had the older vtec
Super Hoser
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 301
Originally Posted by DVnAFI
Hi, I have no idea what VTEC is. I have an 02 EX 5-speed. How do I know it works? I'm so confused on this one...where could I get those VTEC thingies so I know it works? 
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Originally Posted by turboslug
the 7th gen EX doesnt use the same vtec as the older 6th gen EX...
we have vtec-e for saving gas while the older civics had the older vtec
we have vtec-e for saving gas while the older civics had the older vtec
Registered!!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Vtec-e only has vtec on the intake valves i belive while the true vtec has it on both. Atleast i think thats it... someone help me out.
And that leads in less horsepower since all that extra air going in to ease up the "choking" at high rpm's has trouble getting back out.
And that leads in less horsepower since all that extra air going in to ease up the "choking" at high rpm's has trouble getting back out.
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by Boilermaker1
Listen... you can hear the difference....
Click, if no direct link, then click the mpg link
The only way to tell is to probe the ECU (hook up a VTEC indicator), even then, that just says that the ECU is engaging it. I don't know how to check the solenoid or the lift mechanism.
Click, if no direct link, then click the mpg link
The only way to tell is to probe the ECU (hook up a VTEC indicator), even then, that just says that the ECU is engaging it. I don't know how to check the solenoid or the lift mechanism.
Registered!!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: 626
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by CuRiOuSfIsH
In the old model Civics with VTEC, there was a kick, but they werent there for econo reasons. Also, in the older models, you had to warm up the car before VTEC would engage. Yes, I have been in a B16 when it was cold.... it was pretty disappointing, but once it was warm it was all good. Is that the case for the 7thgen as well?
Based on my experience, DOHC VTEC is what makes the difference and a bit geared towards performance.
my 96 EX, you hear it a bit.
my 96 GS-R, you hear it and you feel it.
my friend's B18C1 block with C5 top,
my 03 WRX, you dont hear the VTEC. you hear the spool...
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 BTW, I guess some ppl saying that our Civic is damn slow....I don't want to challenge that, but I suspect some ppl in this forum does not drive manual trans properly....I should not say that everybody has the same technique for driving manual, but properly driving a manual is hard....Even skilled drivers may not be able to engage the clutch properly.....
If the trans is engaged properly, the pull of the Civic is strong, and I did the shift from 1st to 2nd engaged at 4800rpm(no rev up then down during shift), which should be nice for a Civic VTEC-E engine.....ha.....
I learn that most ppl drive manual with the engine rev to a point and then engage the clutch. Some just step on more gas than the car is needed. Either way the engine will rev up and sometimes there will be a jolt that is felt in the car. That's bad.....
Here's the point....Do not rev the engine(even to 1500rpm) before the engagement point.....Any rev ups(either prior to the car starts to move or during moving upshift) will degrade performance. A reverse rev(kicking back to lower rpm from high) will cause the engine to response slower and cause a re-adjustment of fuel, timing, and all kind of stuffs that makes the response even slower....A proper engagement will make the engine rev up faster, and when the car starts to move, it should be at or a little higher than 2500rpm....Try it.
Believe it or not, I used to drive a manual Lude Type-SH and couldn't win a Saturn sedan AUTO and even a 97 Vic EX....
I think that's where the 7.9 sec from Edmunds.com come from.
If the trans is engaged properly, the pull of the Civic is strong, and I did the shift from 1st to 2nd engaged at 4800rpm(no rev up then down during shift), which should be nice for a Civic VTEC-E engine.....ha.....
I learn that most ppl drive manual with the engine rev to a point and then engage the clutch. Some just step on more gas than the car is needed. Either way the engine will rev up and sometimes there will be a jolt that is felt in the car. That's bad.....
Here's the point....Do not rev the engine(even to 1500rpm) before the engagement point.....Any rev ups(either prior to the car starts to move or during moving upshift) will degrade performance. A reverse rev(kicking back to lower rpm from high) will cause the engine to response slower and cause a re-adjustment of fuel, timing, and all kind of stuffs that makes the response even slower....A proper engagement will make the engine rev up faster, and when the car starts to move, it should be at or a little higher than 2500rpm....Try it.
Believe it or not, I used to drive a manual Lude Type-SH and couldn't win a Saturn sedan AUTO and even a 97 Vic EX....
I think that's where the 7.9 sec from Edmunds.com come from.
Last edited by 82801BA; Sep 3, 2004 at 05:21 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
ORskier
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
2
May 3, 2015 12:54 PM
tylerginevan
Hybrid Engine/IMA battery system
10
Apr 27, 2015 12:29 PM
