richlee07

early thanks to the ones who give help to this topic!

Here's the dealio with my 95 GSR....

I have checked to make sure the engine is a b18c1, not a regular b series with a vtec cover. Ive changed the engine oil so its not one of those give it an oil change and it'll work again.

My VTEC is not engaging. i am able to rev all the way to 9k but no vtec. I've previously owned a TSX so I know what VTEC sounds and feels like. I have been told that unlike the K series motor found in the TSX, the B series motors VTEC is slightly different when it comes to when VTEC is engaged. In the TSX, VTEC comes on around 6k and its a slight difference in sound, and a different feel in the pull of the car. I have been told the VTEC comes on around 4500rpm in the GSR and then the secondary runners or intake manifolds engage around 6500rpm. I talked to a mechanic who has worked on Integras before, he says thats not correct as the secondary runners are supposed to engage before VTEC. For starters, someone who has driven a GSR please tell me if VTEC goes before the secondaries or the other way around.

bottom line, please give me some pointers on getting the VTEC to kick in again. I have not been able to have the the thrill of having the vtec scream (hoping it does)

thanks everyone!

Cheers

suspendedHatch

If you can't tell whether VTEC is engaging, then that means it's working properly.

If in the high RPMs, the power completely falls off to nothing, then VTEC isn't working. Your ECU will throw a code. To verify it I would connect a temp wire to the VTEC wire, run it into the car, have someone drive while I watch the multimeter. It will go from 0 to 12 volts.

gpmillerjax

Uh what?

I can tell my VTEC is engaging and its working fine.

gpmillerjax

Pull out your stock intake hose from in between the throttle body and air box and go test it real quick....you will hear vtec....if you don't hear it, then something is wrong.
Also VTEC USUALLY requires about full throttle to kick in, and also the engine must be warm so the oil is thin enough.

You should hear a sound change around 4500 RPMS and a sound change around 6200 RPMS.

GagnarTheUnruly

iTrader: (3)

LOL he was talking to the OP.

OP, your mechanic doesn't know what he's talking about. VTEC crossover is at 4400, and IAB (intake butterflies) switch at 5700 rpm. Neither is easy to feel but the IAB switch makes a change in sound. Particularly VTEC crossover is almost undetectable.

Gpmillerjax, you're confused about what 'secondaries' means. Actually, there are two 'secondaries.' The cams have primary and secondary profiles, and the intake has primary and secondary runner lengths. At 4400 rpm, the VTEC system switches the cams from the primary to the secondary lobes. At 5700 rpm, the IAB switches the intake from the primary to the secondary runners.

As the poster above stated, the OP's engine will fall completely and utterly on its face above 7000 rpm if the cam secondaries don't engage. If the IAB wasn't working and the secondaries runners were always open, it would be harder to detect. You can force the IAB to stay on the secondary runners if you unplug the hose to the IAB control unit (looks like a UFO) and plug it with a screw. If you do that and you notice a torque loss down low and no sound change at 5700 rpm, you know that the IAB system is working when its connected properly. It's also possible you don't have the OEM intake manifold, in which case there is only one runner length. Is the IM still stock?

gpmillerjax

Thanks for clearing that up, I really don't know to much about the technical terms, I just know how the system works. My point is that the first stage of the VTEC is barely audible as well as the second stage with a stock setup. If you pull out that stock intake hose, you will CLEARLY hear the second part of vtec (intake butterflies).
Even in a completely stock GSR you should still be able to hear the sound of the motor changing as vtec works.

njmad

if its a stock gsr than your not going to feel or hear it but just to a couple of bolt on like i/h/e (intake/headers/ehaust)

Dogginator

Worst advice ever. Just remove the lid from the air box and keep the filter in place.

OP, how are you revving to 9k? Do you know what ECU you have or any other details about this engine?

norcalB18

i was jsut gona say ur reving to 9k?

richlee07

for the peeps that have constructive help.. cheers.

maybe i should be more clear, reving to 9k is not very likely but very close, right up to redline. so just bout 8k and a lil over. ive heard that if your cpu detects a malfunction or failure from some sort of component, your engine is placed into some mode that will not allow you to rev past 5k

Dogginator

6. Have Dogginator ban ap1 george.

hondadriver

You got it wrong and your mechanic is right. Oh and sorry you don't know how the system works!!! Maybe you should do some research on how the GSR secondaries and vtec work. There is no stage 1 and stage 2 vtec. The first kick in power/noise is your intake secondaries opening up. Then the second kick in power is vtec.


If your car/engine is stock, the vtec crossover will not be as loud or noticeable. For vtec to work make sure your motor has enough oil, allow your engine to warm up, and of course make sure you have no cels.

Dogginator

OP, if it is a stock B18C1, you will hear a subtle change in sound near 4400 RPM when the VTEC operates. At ~5600RPM, the IAB will open and the sound will noticeably increase. If the VTEC is not operating, the engine will lose power well before redline.

Dogginator

this is the blind telling the deaf directions. See my post above for the correct information.

Matt55

ahaha, everyones got to learn sometime

Dogginator

Yes, but they do not need to profess their ignorance as fact.

GagnarTheUnruly

iTrader: (3)

LOL 8200 is not the same as 9000! Stock GS-R rev limit is set at 8200, so if that's where the rev limiter kicks in that probably means your ECU is stock. Do you know anything about the engine -- what has been done performance-wise?

mouab18c1

iTrader: (5)

Whats a regular B series to you?

Slain

Get a new mechanic. Start doing some searching and learn a little bit about your car. If there is a cel for a hard code you will not be able to rev past 5k. If your taking the motor to redline and you have no cel's. The motor is working the way it should be.

I'm still baffled at people wanting to hear vtec snap crackle and pop.

ILS_09

LoL this has been cover millions of times. A STOCK gsr vtec engagement, as well as the secondaries, suppose to be almost a quiet and smooth transition. Just because you don't hear it doesn't mean it is not working properly and just because you do hear it on other cars doesn't mean your getting the best of it. You can not compare the sound, feel, or even the engagement process to lets say a type R or tsx; their vtec engagement as well as their secondaries transition are different. If you really want to hear it with some form of hope, try taking off the lid for your air filter, get an exhaust, or maybe headers then maybe you'll hear some settle changes in sound; that's if your not willing to invest in cams, springs, retainers, rods, pistons, etc. These have a greater effect on vtec/secondaries.