Automotive technology is constantly evolving day by day. Manufacturers continue to improve the user experience by adding more features to modern cars to aid in safety and increase power. If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ve probably heard the term “VTEC” but you probably don’t know what it means. So what is VTEC and how does it work? Today’s article will help you solve that question.
What is VTEC?
VTEC is a type of elevator electronic control and variable valve timing system developed and used by Honda. It is an abbreviation for Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. VTEC is an incredible technology that adjusts your valve opening as you drive, allowing for more air-fuel ratio into the combustion chamber – turning the car into a monster on the road.
VTEC vehicles were first seen in the Japanese car market in 1989 with the Honda Integra and in the North American car market with the first-generation Acura NXS. IKUO Kujitani, a Honda engineer, invented the VTEC engine in the late 1980s. So you can see the VTEC badge on your car or see it written on your Honda engine if you open the hood. Since its introduction in the late 1980s, VTEC has been used in many of Honda’s best-performance models including the NSX, Integra Type R, S2000 and Civic Type R. Now you understand what is VTEC, right?
How does VTEC work?
That is the definition of VTEC. So do you know how it works? First, it is necessary to learn a little about the camshaft. They are the long rods that run parallel to the direction of the cylinder and are the block of your engine. They spin as your engine runs and open and close the valves that allow air and fuel in and out. This is what allows your engine to run and gets you from point A to point B.
Oil pressure is used by VVL, MIVEC, VVT, VVTi, and VTEC to switch between cam profiles. When driving at high speeds, the cam profile allows for a wider valve opening, allowing more air to enter the cylinder. In this way, the engine produces more horsepower. However, VTEC operates differently from other variable valve timing systems. Whereas most variable valve timing systems on other engines change the cam timing with increased RPM, VTEC uses a different set of cams to achieve high rpm.
What can VTEC really do?
The answer is yes or no depending on how you drive. Honda cars equipped with VTEC technology tend to be more efficient at a wider rev range than many comparable vehicles and they are fun to drive in the right conditions, but most motorists will not notice their VTEC is active. When the engine is running relatively high in the rev range and you rarely achieve normal driving conditions, especially if your car has an automatic transmission. However, if you’re a gear shifter and you like twisty roads, the VTEC makes a noticeable difference.
The future of VTEC
Many other companies have come up with their own systems for this technology, and it has positively benefited the automotive and climate industries. Currently, Honda still uses VTEC but not like before. It usually comes with a turbocharger and in the case of the Civic Type-R, the VTEC camshaft is on the exhaust side of the engine, not the intake side like in previous versions.
Honda has remarketed the VTEC technology as more of an emissions technology than the performance it has advertised in the past. Plus, most other car companies have now developed their own versions of that technology, so it’s really not that special anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VTEC engine is the best?
Honda has several high-performance VTEC engines. These motors meet customer expectations. However, our pick and one of the highest-rated Honda VTEC engines are the K20A. This is the high-performance engine found on Type R models such as the FD2 Civic Type R and DC5 Integra Type R.
Do all Honda engines have VTEC?
Honda is well-known for manufacturing vehicles with VTEC engines. As a result, nearly all Honda vehicles use VTEC engines to enhance power output on the road. VTEC was originally designed for high-performance cars, but Honda has gradually introduced them into conventional cars.
Is VTEC faster than turbo?
While VTEC technology is a welcome innovation, it is nothing compared to turbo. With turbo, the engine produces more horsepower and torque, while VTEC just pulls the maximum horsepower out of the engine because we can feel the torque on VTEC cars in the VTEC range. This means you can feel the horsepower on the VTEC engine when driving at around 5,500 RPM. Simply put, a turbo is faster than a VTEC engine.
Conclusion
So What is VTEC? VTEC is Honda’s term for variable valve timing technology. It’s like the Toyota VVT-i and BMW Vanos systems. However, Honda has two variants of this technology that work with different similarities. This includes i-VTEC and VTEC-E. So don’t confuse any of these variations with another.
Read more:
