Dyno run for 2003 factory EX
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 
Dyno run for 2003 factory EX
I have run a dyno on my factory EX recently and discovered something probably weired. The max power occured at 6250rpm and rated 105.2HP and torque at around 4700rpm rated 100.8lb-ft. Is there something wrong there? It sound like the engine has no VTEC kicks in and that the power is even poorer than an HX....I have seen an 96-00 HX chart with power at 105.xHP and 99lb-ft torque factory....No modification to my car, and I did turn off every electrical thing. The A/F ratio of my car is always at around 12.4....What does it mean?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 Also is that I installed a VAFC before and at 70mph the check engine light always come on and then I removed the controller and use only the fuel portion of it. The HP even went down to 102.8HP. WHat is the problem of the VTEC portion of the controller(cause check engine light on)?
Escaped Convict
iTrader: (30)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,450
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, California, US
Rep Power: 368 hmm. i was going to say 105 sounds fine.
then u mentioned the vafc and the check engine light.
vtec might not be engaging..
stock EX usually puts down around 110 whp.
you gotta remember its whp. we're generally around 100-110
and u can't compare dynos directly since different dyno at different location in different car gives different numbers.
which VAFC is this? the apexi? did you install it correctly? search on how to install it without triggering the CEL
then u mentioned the vafc and the check engine light.
vtec might not be engaging..
stock EX usually puts down around 110 whp.
you gotta remember its whp. we're generally around 100-110
and u can't compare dynos directly since different dyno at different location in different car gives different numbers.
which VAFC is this? the apexi? did you install it correctly? search on how to install it without triggering the CEL
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 The VAFC I used was the first version, not the VAFC-II. I have my friend worked on that but still can't get it fixed. When I was in 1st and 2nd, the car really pulls from 5500rpm on(I set the engagement point at 5500 initially), then 2nd, fine. Third, at 4000rpm, the light comes on with the code "VTEC rear band, code only, OK to drive"....Even 4th and 5th does the same at 70mph.
Therefore I returned the unit to my friend. Does VAFC-II work in this car with proper connection?
Therefore I returned the unit to my friend. Does VAFC-II work in this car with proper connection?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 
The numbers look right. Anywhere from 100-110 whp is acceptable. VTEC engages around 3k rpms, but remember that it's VTEC-E (economy vtec) and doesn't help much for performance.
The original VAFC has problems with the check engine light and vtec. The VAFC-II has solved all this. Haven't you guys been reading all the threads posted about this?
The original VAFC has problems with the check engine light and vtec. The VAFC-II has solved all this. Haven't you guys been reading all the threads posted about this?
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 0 well, was your engine broken in prior to the dyno runs? and you shouldn't be gettin constant Stoic 12.4 A/F reading, if you are doing WOT which you supposed to do on a dyno. a rich situation would be correct. it's also maybe your v-fac controller.
I sure wish my car was newer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,448
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo
Rep Power: 365 Originally posted by gearbox
but remember that it's VTEC-E (economy vtec) and doesn't help much for performance.
but remember that it's VTEC-E (economy vtec) and doesn't help much for performance.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 My EX doesn't say anything about VTEC-E. Still, it is ULEV rating, which is the same as the 2004 Acura TL. So I feel that it should be a regular VTEC, and VTEC-E actually has the VTEC-E embedded on the engine valve cover's electrical cover. And people told me that the car kicks in at around 5500 instead of 3k. It seems weired to me that the D16/D17 VTEC are classified as a VTEC-II, and VTEC-E for HX. Pretty confused.
Registered!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: Western Massachusetts, US
Rep Power: 0 An EX is a VTEC-e, it says it on my window sticker too! It's similar to a VX hatch. I dont mind the VTEC-e, the car makes more power and gets better gas milage than a 2000 ex and makes about 5 more lbs. of torque? Nothing wrong with that, looks bad *** with the coils and stuff too.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 Hm....If that is the case for the Civic EX having VTEC-E, can we file a lawsuit against Honda because of they advertise the EX having VTEC engine instead of VTEC-E? The VTEC-E should be a different kind of engine based on VTEC and kicks in at 3k.
Anyway, based on the research, it seems like the J30A engine also engages VTEC at around 3k(dyno chart shown and personal experience), does it mean that all SOHC VTEC engine are VTEC-E?
Anyway, based on the research, it seems like the J30A engine also engages VTEC at around 3k(dyno chart shown and personal experience), does it mean that all SOHC VTEC engine are VTEC-E?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 I think the newer civics have the economy vtec. Older gens had regular vtec that also would engage at 3K rpms. Only difference is the older gen vtec could be felt AND heard. But then that makes sense, since older gen civics are LEV and newer ones are ULEV.
yep, I had installed the vtec light led on my car (which is now an alcohol injection led) and if you had very light throttle, vtec wouldn't engage until 3500 rpms ... but if you put 30% (estimated) throttle or more, it would engage at 2500 rpms
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 Several points I want to point out on our Civics. If you already know them, let me know what I miss and what I go wrong. Thanks.
1. We are using the same thottle body that was used in 96-00 Civic DX, LX.
2. Our cars has a secondary muffler other than a small resonator in the exhaust.
3. I really don't have any idea about the relationship between the engine used in HX and EX. Some people say EX uses VTEC-E, but in research the VTEC-E engine is D17A6 used in HX, and EX actually has D17A2.
4. The real fact that causes the EX has better milage than the previous generation is due to the 5W20 engine oil and the lighter rotational mass of the alloy wheel. I replaced 5W20 with 5W30 and milage begins to fall, around 4mi/gal in average, compare to my record 390mi/9.8gal before I changed oil.
I live in Texas and the windshield sticker doesn't show any engine type. Therefore I can't be sure that which engine we have in EX. But EX and HX has different part numbers on camshaft and rocker arms and can't be mixed with each other. Also the EX one is more expensive than the HX. I am currently on vacation in New York City and will check the engine after I go back to Texas to find out what is under the valve cover. At this point, I do suggest that the EX actually has much more potential than 127hp because of several restrains in and out of the engine.
P.S. The dyno guy told me that the 01 EX actually did change sound when VTEC engaged.
1. We are using the same thottle body that was used in 96-00 Civic DX, LX.
2. Our cars has a secondary muffler other than a small resonator in the exhaust.
3. I really don't have any idea about the relationship between the engine used in HX and EX. Some people say EX uses VTEC-E, but in research the VTEC-E engine is D17A6 used in HX, and EX actually has D17A2.
4. The real fact that causes the EX has better milage than the previous generation is due to the 5W20 engine oil and the lighter rotational mass of the alloy wheel. I replaced 5W20 with 5W30 and milage begins to fall, around 4mi/gal in average, compare to my record 390mi/9.8gal before I changed oil.
I live in Texas and the windshield sticker doesn't show any engine type. Therefore I can't be sure that which engine we have in EX. But EX and HX has different part numbers on camshaft and rocker arms and can't be mixed with each other. Also the EX one is more expensive than the HX. I am currently on vacation in New York City and will check the engine after I go back to Texas to find out what is under the valve cover. At this point, I do suggest that the EX actually has much more potential than 127hp because of several restrains in and out of the engine.
P.S. The dyno guy told me that the 01 EX actually did change sound when VTEC engaged.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812 Well, first you press the SEARCH button and type in 'diy vtec light' to get alot of answers.
But since you're new, we'll let it slide this time. Here's the thread you want:
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...diy+vtec+light
But since you're new, we'll let it slide this time. Here's the thread you want:
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...diy+vtec+light
The engine code for the Ex is d17a2. i know that for sure. id say probably 80% of things that you want to know have already been covered, so use that search button to your advantage. And welcome to the site.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 The dyno guy told me that 02+ ECU are smart enough to make the timing compensation for the A/F remain the same. Either I increase fuel with the fuel portion of AFC or reduce it, the HP and torque is less than having the unit set flat(Flat=105.2, lower then down to 101.8, and higher is 103.5).
