Recently bought a 1995 Civic EX VTEC. VIN confirms the 1.6 liter EX VTEC model, as does the VIN on the firewall, and the proud VTEC logo on the engine, however...

1) It has rear drum brakes (?!) and
2) It does not have ABS
3) I do not notice any "VTEC" surge kick-in at any RPM.

Were the disc brakes and ABS an option for the EX? It -does- have power windows and locks and is a manual 5-spd. It has EX-only other goodies like the moonroof.

Since it is a SOHC engine, how can VTEC be an option? I thought the VTEC technology shifted to the second cam-shaft, giving the extra power, or does it just float the valves as in the VVTLi on the Celica GTS? I'm not very educated on the VTEC thing quite yet, and it's a lot different than my OHV Pontaic Firehawk!

So...

Is my Civic actually an EX model?
How does the VTEC work on a SOHC?

 

I cannot speak for items one and two. But for item three, the SOHC VTEC uses a milder form of VTEC (compared to B-series, H-series and RSX-S/TSX K-series). In this motor, VTEC acts only on the intake valves. The exhaust valves use the same cam profile at all times. SOHC VTECs therefore dont 'kick' like B-series VTECs at cam switchover. Rather, they just maintain the pull over a wider RPM range. To get more of that 'kick' requires either a higher performance cam or a DOHC VTEC swap.

 

pop the hood... does the engine say vtec?

and my friend has a 95 EX w/o abs or rear disks... not sure if they were options or what, but it seems normal to me.

 

i think rear disks was only on ABS cars, and i dont think all 92-95 cars were ABS optional. i think like only 94+ or something.

 

Yep. Turns out in the service manual, ABS was an option. Thanks for the VTEC info!

 

moonroof sedan... sweet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eggman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">moonroof sedan... sweet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

"... a 1995 Civic EX VTEC"

Not very impressed.
It's not a rare thing like an 88~91 sedan with a moonroof.

If this post were in the correct forum it would be nice.