i just got a 1997 Civic EX 2 days ago. it has 80k miles, 2dr coupe, 5spd... when does vtec engage? becuase at around 4600rpm, i don't "feel" vtec, but i hear a vibration. At 4600 rpm, i don't feel any vibration, but i hear it... it is a very quick vibration that lasts not even a second, but about 1 second at most (4th or 5th gear)it sounds similar to a pager or cell phone vibrating on a counter top or hard surface. Is this my VTEC enaging? help! (by the way, i have owned a few civics and i know what VTEC feels like) My dad's MDX's VTEC is more noticeable than this civic.

 

Put a multimeter (voltmeter) on the vtec solenoid and wire it back to the car's cabin. Have someone watch it as you drive and raise the rpms. You should see battery voltage where vtec engages. I forgot what is for D-series. Anyway, just drive and look for the voltage jump on the voltmeter. You can even use a test light (which are cheap if you dont have a multimeter handy).

HTH

 

Get a VTEC light on ebay

 

VTEC isn't a "magical power adder" like NAWZ...