VVTL-i or V-Tec

I'm looking into to getting an RSX or an MR2. I'm posting this because I would love to get feedback from the wealth of knowledge that is automotive forums. Which one has the most potential to be screaming fast, but still a daily driver. We are talking about brand new cars here. If there is one year of either car that performed better in your opinions, please say so. Any intelligent input would be greatly appreciated.

I have an RSX type S, used to own a 00 Celica GT (VVT-I) and also own a 93 mr2 turbo. The RSX is my daily beater and is a good car. I features I-VTEC meaning intelligent VTEC. What this basically means that it has a computer adjusted intake camshaft sprocket. The ECU takes inputs from the sensors and advances or retards the cam position to achieve smooth power deliver, fuel economy and maximum power when needed. It is the same feature as toyota's vvt-i (variable valve timing). VVTL-I is the same thing except the L stands for "lift". The main difference with vvt-i and vvtl-i is that the latter has a secondary camshaft lobe for greater high rpm performance. Exactly the same operation as Honda's vtec. The vvtl-i engines are found on the celica gts and the vvt-i is found in the celica gt, mr2 spyder and I think some corollas.

For my personal opinion, here it is:

RSX Types S- low torque but very linear, meaning you won't be thrown to the back of your seat but the pull is constant and speed can only be noticed when you look at your speedometer. Vtec kicks in at 5800 rpms and gives a nice little push at the end. Excellent fuel economy. I get about 300 (highway) miles per tankful now, but used to get almost 400 miles (highway) when I had my intake.
Excellent potential to make faster with all the aftermarket support. ECU upgrades, basic bolt-ons, and engine internals can have you going pretty fast and still be reliable. Handling is acceptable stock, but is greatly enhanced when suspension upgrades are made. Even if you just put lowering stiffer springs, it will corner better. Brakes are also excellent.

Celica GT with the same engine as the MR2 Spyder (which I assume is what you are thinking about because you said brand new car) - slightly better lowend torque but not linear in its delivery. Lower redline and does not feature the lift feature meaning no extra push at the top rpms. Engine is reliable, but I did have problems with the serpentine drive belt tensioner when I had the car. This was a 00 model and the problem might have been adressed already, but check into that. Handling on the celica was about the same if not slightly better than the rsx, but the mr2 spyder should be able to outhandle both cars. Not sure about the brakes on the mr2 but the celica gt had drums on the rear. Also not nearly as much aftermarket part compared to the rsx.

1993 MR2 Turbo- Great car all around. Great lowend torque with the stock ct26 turbo. The turbo does run out of breath in the upper rpms, but can be remedied with an upgrade. I have only had the car for a year and haven't been able to test the integrity of the engine yet, but from what I have heard and read, they are solid engines with a lot of potential even in stock unmodified form. Handling is the best I have personally experienced. Almost no body roll and corners like it's on rails. Since they are mid-engined cars though, I heard that they can get tail happy if you don't know how to drive it. Luckily I haven't had this problem. Braking is also excellent

So to sum up. If you want a car with the most potential and have the rsx and mr2 spyder to choose from, go with the rsx. It has way more potential stock and has a whole lot of aftermarket parts. But no topdown feature :-)

One more thing. If you were thinking of the base rsx instead of the type s, they do not have the conventional vtec that kicks in the secondary cam lobe at 5800 rpms. They still have the i-vtec feature meaning that the ECU will adjust camshaft position, but do not have secondary cam lobes. The intake cam only allows one of the two valves to open when vtec is disengaged and opens both valves when vtec engages. The exhaust side always has both exhaust valves opening but will not increase lift. The type-s has both valves for the intake and exhaust sides opening and when vtec engages, higher lift and longer duration is accomplished with the secondary cam profile. Also, the type-s has a more free flowing head, and intake manifold. The base has a dual chamber intake manifold with a butterly that stays closed in low rpms but then opens up to allow more flow in the higher rpms (same feature as found on the Integra GSRs). Also, If you do decide to get an rsx and want to find information, you can go to clubrsx.com and honda-tech.com. Good luck with clubrsx though; bunch of young immature little kids with nothing much to offer but smart ass comments, but you will find some knowledgeable people there.

Best replies I have ever had on any forum. Thank you very very much.

no problem.

What about putting the 180 hp engine from the Celica GT-S (the VVTL-i) in the Spyder? Possible conversion.

"Possible conversion" meant to have a ? after it. i.e. possible conversion?

yeah its been done b4, i dont kno how expensive it would be though

Sorry, haven't been on the board for a while. I know it's possible. Everything's possible with enough money. I don't know the specifics involved though, like mounting issues, wiring, and fabrication that would be involved. I don't think it should be too big of an issue since both engines are very similar, yet very different :-). Your best bet would be to find an mr2 spyder specific site that could be of more assistance. I don't know one cause I don't have an mr2-s, but I'm sure there are some out there. If you want to look around for an engine, the GT-S engine is 2zz-ge.

You can also look around for either a turbo kit or supercharger kit for the spyder. I'm pretty sure some of the celica guys have had custom turbo setups, and if I'm not mistaken, there is a TRD supercharger kit for the 1ZZ-FE (Celica GT, MR2-Spyder and Corolla engine). Good luck

got wit the rsx i have an integra and its the older version of an rsx but i also have an old skool 85 mr2 and its not good so i say rsx all the way

I wouldn't really go as far as to say that an integra is an older version of an rsx. Although everywhere else but here an rsx is called integra, they are still very much different. Different engine (K series with vtc for rsx and b series for integra), double wishbone suspension for integra and mcpherson strut setup for rsx, totally different transmissions, and many other little tiny details. The K20A2 in the type s has more potential than the already peaked out b series engines. They have seen their time. You can't really compare an 85 mr2 with the newer mr2-spyder. The spyder outshadows it in all performance aspects and has more potential. Now if you were to compare it to the Mark II model (91-95) especially the turbo model, then it would be a different story.