stancati

hello guys.

2000 Integra GSR
JDM OBD2 GSR engine was installed after the stock USDM motor failed @ 230,000km

Type-R full exhaust
Cold Air Intake
Everything else is stock

I dont hit my Vtec everyday and I noticed a few days ago that it has stopped engaging

I have topped up the oil and filled it with 91 octane fuel and made sure it was at full operating temp before trying to operate it, i get one CEL all the time that reads Secondary O2 ineffieciency, but i have tried everything and cannot get rid of it (i clear it everytime it comes up...like once every couple days) but i dont think that is the reason??

I checked the soleniod with a jumper wire to the battery, the soleniod seems to fire (it clicks)

HELP PLEASE

sebTeggy

Does it rev over 3500?

I heard that 'if your car revs over 3500, then vtec is engaging, you just might not feel it'

have you felt it before with that motor? GSR vtec is fairly subtle... I also heard that there is a huge checklist of things your ECU must approve (oil pressure, temp, etc) to allow vtec to engage and to allow your motor to go above 3500.

90_EX_Civic

vtec kicks in at 4400rpms for gsr's.

op, have you changed or cleaned your o2 censors yet? just clearing the code won't make it go away, because the issue is still there and will just throw the code again.

sebTeggy

Limp mode would limit the revs to 3500. Me thinks

90_EX_Civic

me thinks you might be right.

circlejerk911

isnt there a vtec selenoid?

HondaPartsHero

Did you use a code reader to pull the code? What is it exactly PXXXX? Did you JDM GSR come with a VTEC pressure switch?

JmurGSR98

Have you checked the filter screen and made sure its clean and not clogged inside the solenoid? No bad wiring?

stancati

thanks for ur help guys

car drives and performs fine, revs up to 8,000 (red line) although i never hit it that hard

when i first bought the car (USDM GSR) i noticed that the engine performed like this:

idle - 3500rpm : normal engine feel
3500rpm - 5500rpm : strong engine feel, small change in engine noise
5500rpm - 8000rpm : Vtec engaged , pulling hard, noticable change in engine noise

the engine lost compression in cylinder 3 (im guessing rings), i payed for a JDM OBD2 GSR engine and the shop installed it for me (i noticed the shop did some shabby worksmanship here and there with the placement of wiring, but i looked closely to make sure all connectors were plugged in correctly) i had installed a skunk2 manifold on it and i they didnt bother moving the wires and things back to their stock locations

when i drove it out of the shop i noticed that it drove the same as when i first bought it and I made sure the Vtec was still engaging (@5500rpm - 8000rpm), it was throwing 2 different CEL's at the time, it was a P0420 (catalyst system below threshold, which is the one that i currently have) and a P1457 (EVAP leak, which i found and fixed)

ive been driving it for about 6 months now, but i dont hit vtec everyday, i tried the other day and noticed it wont engage, although the car still performs fine...performs like normal (2 stages like i explained above) without vtec right up to 8000rpm

i also checked all the normal stuff like belts, fluid top ups, and checking for lose or bad wires (were their easliy accessible atleast lol)

not sure what to check now except for maybe the ECU??

i have been clearing the codes every other day, could that wear out the ECU?? Also, i noticed that i can clear codes while the car is on and even when it is moving, should this be avoided??

stancati

OBD2 code reader ($100) from Canadian Tire

P1457 (EVAP leak, found and fixed)
P0420 (catalyst system below threshold, current code - ive replaced the cat and am using O2 sensors that came off a car that wasnt throwing codes, i think i should probably buy a brand new secondary O2 and see if that works)

yes it does have a Vtec oil pressure switch and it is plugged in and neither plugs are corroded (solenoid as well)

stancati

no i have not

but i will open it up and check, is their any gaskets associated with opening that and cleaning it out??

stancati

just found this thread

https://honda-tech.com/forums/hybrid-engine-swaps-18/%5Bfaq%5D-%22my-vtec-doesnt-work%22-1812135/

ima try and test the switch and solenoid and see if i come up with anything

stancati

found some really good info on how the GSR's Vtec / butterflies work

this should clear up a few things

"The GS-R engine has three stages of operation. Stage 1 (0-4400 RPM): Low-lift cam lobe and long intake runners. Stage 2 (4400-5800 RPM): High-lift cam lobe and long intake runners. Stage 3 (5800+ RPM): High-lift cam lobe and short intake runners. This three stage system is how the GS-R is able to keep a flat torque curve. Changing to a single-stage intake manifold such as the Skunk2 would amplify the cam lobe change and you would see a double hump curve similar to the Type R. Most people confuse the opening of the short intake runners as VTEC engagement because of the dramatic change in sound. It is hard to hear VTEC at 4400 RPM using the dual-stage intake manifold because the long runners restrict flow volume to the engine in order to maintain flow velocity. So for anyone that says VTEC on their GS-R is engaging at 5800 RPM tell them their ears are not engine tuning devices"

http://www.team-integra.net/forum/bl...bout-vtec.html

explains alot, i think my issue may be related to the butterflies, i listened carefully today and paid close attention when @ 4400rpm and i can hear a noticeable change in engine noise (not loud at all) and a slight increase in power

but i heard nothing @ 5800rpm

is there a way to check the butterflies to see if there operating correctly???

90_EX_Civic

the butterflies are activated by vacuum. check to make sure it's hooked up, or see if it has a leak.

Skunk2DC2

Are you using ur USDm Ecu if u r its because OBD2 JDm motors dont have the VTEC oil pressure sensor its built into the Solenoid so since da USDM ecu its recongizing the sensor it wont engage unless u use the JDM OBD2 ecu

sebTeggy

You have a skunk2 intake manifold on your motor don't you? It doesn't have butterflies, the dual-stage runner manifold is replaced with a single stage.

The only 'difference' or hump you will get is at 4400 when the cam lobe lift/duration is increased from VTEC

nospoolDC2

trifenix

if you have stock gsr im, you will hear vtec at 5500 due to secondary runners opening. vtec engages at 4500

JmurGSR98

Did you figure out what was wrong?

sebTeggy

Why are you facepalming?

It was in fact true that vtec IS engaging and that he CANT hear it. The ecu limits revs to 3500 if the 'vtec checklist' isnt satisfied.

He can rev above 3500, vtec is engaging.He just cant hear it.

I had the same problem with my first gsr. Bone stock, didnt hear a THING, until I took the intake arm off and it was just pure throttle body, then I heard it.

nospoolDC2

Just because you can rev above 3500 RPM does not mean your VTEC is engaging.

91ef18

Ok, so i have a 95 gsr swap in my 91 ef. as soon as i put it in and got all the wiring out of the way she started right up. i let it warm up and took it out for a ride. it was heller faster then the d16a6 i had in it. but i was noticing that at high revs i didn't hear the vtec engaging like my buddys car. i took off the solenoid and tested it. i herd it clicking. but it was slow to come in, so i changed it out with one of my buddys that clicks hard. i put it back on and reset the ecu. as soon as i started it cel came right on again. so i checked it and it was a code 21 vtec solenoid again. i checked my wiring with an ohm tester and every things fine. i checked for ground. its fine 12 and a half volts. i checked oil level its fine. even checked oil pressure and it was fine, in normal range. i can't think of any thing else to do. by the way I'm using the stock p72 ecu. plz help i would really appreciate the help i want to kick my buddys ***. but with out vtec he's kickin my ***..lol

HondaPartsHero

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1812135

Jensherbert

oil level, clean screen on solenoid, fix all CELs, check vacuum hoses, test solenoids/pressure switches as needed, check ECU to engine compatability

LSVTEC_TEGGY

need help/advice, i am currently serving a 1 year tour in afghanistan and i just bout a 94 acura integra coupe DC4 LS/VTEC its b18b1 bottom and JDM B16 head everything stock how much horses and lb tourqe would i be pushing? jus the way it is now?