Suspecting my car isn't a VTEC... - Honda Prelude Forum

FGarcia1 · 07-01-2002, 01:05 PM

Hmm... I'm starting to think my car isn't a VTEC! Check this:

1--When I hit 5000 RPMs, the sound of the motor changes, but the pull isn't very hard, even if floored; most opinions on the board suggest I should be feeling more power from the change in timing.

2--I'm at 4300 RPMs at 80mph on 5th gear, with 205/55R15 tires, whereas most people get around 4000 RPMs.

3--The gearing seems to be really close on my car, I'll shift from 1st to 2nd @ 3k RPMs and I'll end up at around 2.2k RPMs...

The car is registered with the DMV as a 93 VTEC Prelude, and CarFax also shows this, listing the car as a "2.2L VTEC/SR-V" engine. The car is a U.S. spec, as far as I know, the engine in it is an H22A1, U.S. VTEC. But the way the car drives, I feel like I'm in an SI. Does anyone have any opinions? Is the engine type stamped anywhere on the engine itself, so I can see?

Red4WS · 07-01-2002, 01:50 PM

There should be a stamp on the passengers side on the engine a couple inches below the vavle cover. As for the gearing, the previous owner might have put a different final drive and lowered the gear ratios.

fourthgeneration · 07-01-2002, 01:53 PM

whats the redline? does it say VTEC on the valve cover? what is the code stamped on the engine (sorta to the right of the starter).

EDIT: keep in mind that VTEC is a lot more subtle than most web board users make it out to be. seriously.

U.K VTEC · 07-01-2002, 01:58 PM

This is where it will tell you for certain...

kevie88 · 07-01-2002, 03:27 PM

An SR-V is a canadian si VTEC model.

FGarcia1 · 07-01-2002, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by U.K VTEC
This is where it will tell you for certain...

Found it, it does say "H22A1" in there... hmm....

The valve cover does say VTEC, the redline's at 7400-8200, but somehow I suspected something was wrong. I think forthgeneration put it best, that the effect is much more subtle. Therefore, my perception of what VTEC should feel like has been corrected. Maybe if I upgrade I/H/E I will get more power out of the engine. Thanks again, everyone! This board rocks.

marshdoggg · 07-01-2002, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FGarcia1

Found it, it does say "H22A1" in there... hmm....

The valve cover does say VTEC, the redline's at 7400-8200, but somehow I suspected something was wrong. I think forthgeneration put it best, that the effect is much more subtle. Therefore, my perception of what VTEC should feel like has been corrected. Maybe if I upgrade I/H/E I will get more power out of the engine. Thanks again, everyone! This board rocks.

i think hes right too, when i drove my first h22, i wasnt blown away at all when it hit vtec, barely felt it. and this car had aem cai, N1 exhause and dc header, plus is was a JDM! the owner said his vavles needed to be adjusted though...
marsh

SiR-P12eLude · 07-01-2002, 07:31 PM

Hey what are you trying to say man.. SI are fast... they can run up against vtecs anyday ... well maybe not anyday hahh.. Just have some respect for the si owners hahah

cantdrive55 · 07-01-2002, 07:54 PM

Here's the explination: VTEC isn't all everyone makes it out to be.

Rapture · 07-01-2002, 08:46 PM

dude....v-tec isn't like some wonderous power boost. Most people can't notice it until they get more mods.

blkvteclude · 07-01-2002, 08:51 PM

to me my car feels so slow my friend in his gs-t pulls me well in lower gears like 1st - 2nd but 3rd i pull him a lil i feel like mines not as fast as it is supposed to be im going to take it to a specialist when i get some money

thewedge4 · 07-01-2002, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cantdrive55
Here's the explination: VTEC isn't all everyone makes it out to be.

i know. You'd think it was the second coming of Christ around here. It's just a little extra sensation of speed over the last 2 thousand RPM. Big Deal! Handling is the strong suit.

By the time you feel it, you've already lost the race!

blkvteclude · 07-01-2002, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thewedge4

By the time you feel it, you've already lost the race!

so true

POSlowlude

brendon2k · 07-01-2002, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loodlover
dude....v-tec isn't like some wonderous power boost. Most people can't notice it until they get more mods.

why would a cheap brand of phone give your car more power?

jpprelude · 07-01-2002, 09:53 PM

Try to find someone that has an Si, and drive it. Then you will know you have a VTEC for sure.

People make VTEC seem like it's a power adder, ie FI/Nitrous, but it isn't that dramatic.

Satan_SRV · 07-01-2002, 10:53 PM

Do you have an intake? You'd hear VTEC a lot more then...

Some exhausts can also kill the VTEC noise....

SiR-P12eLude · 07-01-2002, 11:45 PM

the VTEC noise sounds like the morning birds chirping... beautiful sound hhah

Rapture · 07-02-2002, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brendon2k

why would a cheap brand of phone give your car more power?

that's v-tech not "v-tec" like i put you nimrod

AuSSI · 07-02-2002, 01:32 AM

Still, its 118kw v 147kw in the same chassis. Without NOS or Turbo, add up how much it'll cost to get a genuine 147kw from an SI.

brendon2k · 07-02-2002, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loodlover

that's v-tech not "v-tec" like i put you nimrod

Look at a valve cover nimrod,

there is no hyphen. VTEC is a acronym with a bunch of letters dropped out.

variable timing and lift electronically controlled