Originally posted by Cliffgump
I don't think it matters too much seeing as how your DOHC VTEC only changes the profile of the intake cam anyways. So it's basically like having SOHC VTEC, and VTEC on the civics makes almost as much power over the non-VTEC version as it does on Integras. Now we get into i-VTEC, this system now changes the profile of both the intake AND exhaust cams for slight gain in performance. Although not much and way too hyped up in my opinion.
Uh, B series DOHC VTEC is on both cams, sorry to burst your bubble. And not all the K series iVTEC affects both cams.
As for whether it is overrated or not.... sometimes yes, but only becuase people think it does what it doesn't. For many purposes, it is underrated. It is great for giving perfomance cars good gas mileage, and it is excellent for keeping a built NA motor streetable. I can get some cams with 280 degrees of duration and 12 mm of lift, and not idle like a Harley.
On the b18b1 vs. b18c1 issue: The b18b's rods are heavier, but quite frankly that could have very little to do with anything. It could mean that they are stronger (doubtful), or it could mean that Honda just doesn't spend as much time designing them, machining them and balancing them. In addition, VTECs have a beefier rod bolt.
Secondly, VTEC heads flow vastly better than nonVTEC heads. Again, Honda pays more attention to the performance aspects of the VTEC engines because that is what they are designed to be.
Not to mention the cam bridges, lower end girdle, and oil squirters.
I'm not saying that nonVTEC motors are garbage, just noting that when people say 'LS is better for turbo, has a lower compression ratio', they are ignoring a whole slew of advantages the VTEC engines have.