newbie vtec help

[JakeDrummer]

ok so i feel dumb asking this, but what does the vtec feel/sound like on a B18C1? I've had the car now like a month and it's the first vtec i've rode in/drove.What I'm wondering is that it just keeps pulling all the way to red line. It pulls right past 5,500rpm without a change. I hear no change and i don't feel a power bump. But I'm thinking it must be working, because if it wasn't, the motor wouldn't be able to redline without it right? I came from a D15B7 powered civic so this thing feels like a dragster to me, but still I'm just starting to wonder now cuz i was out beating the crap out of the thing last night and I wasn't noticing this crazy change like i always read about online. also FYI My oil pan is fine and my oil level is fine. Got any ideas or can someone just explan what i should be hearing/feeling. I know and understand how a vtec works, i just don't know how it feels/sounds cuz i'm a newbie. anyhoo thanks guys!

[got v-tec?]

thats really weird. i got a b18c1 in a civ hb and you know when v-tec kicks in, it fels like a 40 shot of nitrous. and sounds alot louder

[jcrx]

Originally Posted by got v-tec?

thats really weird. i got a b18c1 in a civ hb and you know when v-tec kicks in, it fels like a 40 shot of nitrous. and sounds alot louder

Hahaha, a 40 shot, riiiight, anyway. Yes your engine can redline without engaging vtec, but chances are that the change over is just really smooth. My B16 also is so smooth you can't really hear it, but it is engaging, it just pulls a bit harder around 5500rpms to 8000.

[SiGNAL748]

unplug the rubber intake piping from your stock airbox - go out for a quick run.

you'll hear it, guaranteed.

EDIT: Make sure your engine's all warmed up, vtec won't engage if its not.

[Ricochet]

Yeah get an aftermarket intake. Also that two-stage intake manifold makes the changeover pretty quiet from what I've heard from my friend who has a gs-r

[whtteg]

I have a friend with a 94 gsr and without the intake it is really quiet, but with an afetrmarket intake it is rather noticable. Just go out and take the top of the airbox off, it won't hurt anything b/c there is still a filter present and drive it down the road and see if you can hear the vtec crossover.

[chechin]

its simple man, the change of the noise its like this:

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMM PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

if it doesn't sounds like that, the vtec is not working, that's simple and by the way the vtec in your engine should kick at 4.5K rpm.

it's really amazing, I love the sound of vtec and it pulls soooooo hard til the rev limiter says NO MORE!!....hehehe

[JakeDrummer]

yah i pulled the intake off and tryed that already. I didn't notice anything change except around 6,500 the motor note seemed to blend together into a solid bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. so maybe it is working after all, its just really smooth. could it be engading late do you think? And hey??? Why doesn't it feel like a 40 shot of NOS? lol

[chechin]

for a stock gsr it is imposible to kick in at 6500, I think you should check it, sometimes the solenoid has some damage but its very rare.

[JakeDrummer]

how do i test the solenoid (sorry i'm a dumbass with vtec stuff...)

[SiGNAL748]

so you pulled the intake off and it still "blended"?
i'm pretty damn sure it should be a very distinct change in sound.

anyway, that "bum - pang" thing...lol. i've never seen somebody explain the sound so well in my life

i'll try to get a sound clip of my vtec engaging for you.

[whtteg]

Try disconnecting the vtec solenoid and measuring resistanec between the terminal in the plug (on the solenoid side) and body ground. Is there 14-30 ohms? If not then the solenoid is bad if there is 14-30 ohms the remove the solenoid and there is a filter between the VTEC solenoid valve and the cylinder head, check to see if this is clogged. If not then try pushing the plunger on the solenoid and see if the movement is free and that it does move. If all of this checks out then There must be some kind of problem between the ECu and the solenoid, I would take it to a shop if you really feel the VTEC is not functioning and the tests above check out.

[JakeDrummer]

i'll check that out when it warms up outside, its only about 15 degrees in my shop right now where my tegs parked. I'm acctully thinking about going to the honda dealer and having them drive it and tell me if something is wrong. Then fixing it myself once they tell me what it is. LOL I'm such a cheep ass. anyhow you guys have been helpful! thanks a bunch!

yah currently we're practicly getting a blizzard out there - about 5 degrees temp and about 4 inches of snow being blown by 40 mph winds. WOO HOO Wisconsin sucks!!