Originally Posted by jaje
on this point i would beg to differ...honda engines are quite torquey when compared to engines of same size (barring forced induction)...the b16 is a great little motor but is often in a class with 1.8+ liter motors so yes it is lower in torque comparitively to the larger motors but to other n/a 1.6 liters it is quite strong
No trying to knock Hondas. I think they are great cars, but no car is without its flaws. Until the VTEC kicks in (at which time it feels as if another set of cylinders were engaged), Hondas seem to lack some oomph. Even the S2000 is a bit underwhelming at low RPM's.
in fact other mfgrs have yet to create a true vtec copy engine (outside of the yamaha engine in the celica gts)...honda's vtec actually changes over the lobes on the camshaft where all other competitors just vary the angle of the cam or crank shafts or timing which helps but does not create the true 2 stage engine...this technology belies the fact that vtec engines have one of the flattest torque curves across a wider rpm band in comparative engine sizes...they are misnomored as peaky b/c of the extreme rev limit they can handle but they have a very good powerband well before they reach the upper reachs of the rpm range
One of the comparisons I think of is the new Civic Si versus the new GTI, though the GTI has a turbo. More low end grunt from the GTI and the Civic doesn;t come alive until well later in the RPM band.
this could also be an issue with suspension tuning for comfort rather than all out traction
You could be right, but the inside wheel spin was on the race prepped car.
Honda and BMW both build some of the best engines out there. You really can't lose with either.