First, it will be damn near impossible to get a K20 into your 94 civic (well, not impossible but be prepared to spend insane amounts of money).

A B18c (either GSR or ITR) would be a good swap for your civic because it pretty much just drops in.

A VTEC motor is not much different than a normal motor. There is really nothing special about it and it isn't something that just "breaks".

Usually you can hear VTEC engage. Your car will sound like this:

vrooooooooooooommm *VTEC hits* BAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW :rofl: