Hi =)

I just got a 98 GS-R, and I am not sure if the VTEC is kicking in.
I check the oil, temperature and throttle position, and I don't feel a surge of power at 4400RPM or 5800RPM :/

Well, the car will fly past 4000 RPM, but it feel sort of smooth... not like the hard kick I got when test driving a S2000. A friend of mine who own a S2000 told me he didn't feel the VTEC kicking in although he never drove a GS-R before.

In the case VTEC is not kicking in... is there a DIY thing I can do before bringing it to the dealer or shop?

 

Dont expect it to shake your car or anything.

 

vtec makes your engine run smoother and preform better at higher rpms, it doesn't turn your car in to a v8 @ 4000-5000 rpm.

the s2000 puts out almost 100hp more then your gsr.

 

you should be able to hear VTEC. make sure the engine is warm and then when ur driving in second, stomp on the gas and see if you hear it switch over at 4400...and you should def hear it get louder and pull a lot harder at 5800

 

There are many variables that must be set to have 'VTEC engage'. Also, if you don't have an intake it's somewhat difficult to hear it - and to feel it, you definitely must know what to look for. My GS-R was my older brother's, and I couldn't feel it until he pointed out exactly when it did. Even now, it's not like I'll be driving around and accelerate quickly and think to myself "wow, VTEC just kicked in"...its quite subtle.

 

If your VTEC wasn't kicking in, you'd have a check engine light on. Don't worry, it's working.

 

we just went over this in a thread not to long ago if you want to search it out.

basically, look at dyno graphs of stock cars, when you hit the crossover point you don't see a massive increase in power- which is why you dont feel a large increase in power when you drive. Its an over rated myth that vtec KICKs in.

 

agreed, if vtec was as incredibale as it is talked about other cars would offer similair features.

 

actually they do

 

Vtec is great, but a lot of people make it seem like its the greatest thing out there. Honostly, its more like a bolt on. Like if I was to put an aftermarket TB on the car and help it breath a bit better and in turn gaining like 5hp. Vtec is the same. Think of it like an aftermarket head that help get you an extra 30hp (for the integra). And just like every other mod, do you get sucked into your seat when you put a header and exaust on? No. Can you hear it? Yes. Can you feel there's a difference? Yes. But its not gonna be so noticable that your eyeballs get sucked into their sockets.