So heres the story, i recently installed a vtec indicator led in my 97 accord ex. F22b1. C.a.i. header\exhaust....the light shows that the vtec is engaging as it should at 2500 rpm. I realize the f series vtec doesnt really slam like the good ol hseries or other performance based vtec. But i litterally notice 0 difference when it is engaged. I tried slowly approching 2500 in all differnt gears, whinding em out, everything..i cant feel or hear **** when the light comes on. Is it possible that everything electronic is functioning but the vtec is not mechanically engaging?

 

In general, if VTEC actuation on the the other cars were more refined it would too feel like the B1. It is a smooth transition. If it was not actuating the engine would not accelerate much past 3K rpm.

B VTEC engines I find to be the worst in this department. These are the kings of 'VTAK JUST KICKED IN y01' and it is annoying. It should be a linear transition with as little difference in power output felt. TOONAs are further guilty of making this transition point even worse, they are selling a product but instead they make the VTEC transition worse by tuning it for more of a power differential from OFF to ON. This is not smooth. So a customer may only gain 5-10HP from a 'tune' but since the VTEC switchover point has been manipulated it makes the car feel more powerful, but in fact it may not be much better than before.

H22 VTEC engines are better the the Bs but can still be violent if you shift to a lower gear for VTEC power. They are closer to the B1 cars refined VTEC actuation. Usually you feel the power just come on and pull along with more noise.

A large misconception in the automotive hobby industry is performance enhancements will cause shock to your system.
Such as;

A car must ride harshly to handle well.
Tires must lockup during braking for faster stopping.
Engines must have large sudden increase in torque to be powerful.

Nope.

Smoothness is key, the smoother the car is, the faster it will be. And you won't be breaking parts due to shock loads.

 

^^ Except auto transmissions. Smoother shifts wear out clutch packs faster.

 

To a degree, you can have a smooth firm shift that causes no excessive wear. This is what accumulator valves and all that valve body voodoo is for. B&M esque 'shift kits' that slam into gears are not good for clutch packs/drive train lonevity as they create shock loads.