Honda VTEC is peaky! (archive)

I can attest that the Honda VTEC engine is quite "peaky." My son has a Civic Si with the VTEC engine. From idle to 5500 rpm it's not a terribly exciting ride. But as soon as the VTEC opens up, it takes off and screams up to the redline, which is like 8500 rpm. You can hear and feel the VTEC kick in, almost like a turbo but at much higher rpm's. It's fun to drive if you stay in this rpm range, but that's not always easy to do. Also, it feels like your beating the s*%t out of it driving it this hard. Somebody once said on the Honda board that you have to drive like you hate it in order to have fun with it.

When I occasionally let my son drive my ///M3, he's amazed at how smooth the power delivery is and how much low end torque it has. In fact, he has to retrain himself not to downshift all the time.

I'm relieved that your analysis of the new ///M motor shows that it will have a very flat torque delivery. It's certainly a lot easier and more fun to drive a car that has a strong but flat torque curve. If it's even stronger than the E36, it's gonna be a BLAST to drive. Thanks for your interesting posts.

Craig
'97 ///M3/2 Lux. 5 Spd.
Techno-Violet/Mulberry
#1 @$tealer for E46 ///M3

Follow Ups:

Gobs of torque down low = S4 ... 00:58 2/27/2000 (12)
- I'm so sick of hearing about S4's that's the 1st thing i'm gonna look for in my new M3! 22:37 2/27/2000 (2)
  - See for yourself jebuz 03:22 2/28/2000 (0)
  - if he's not bsing about the 350 torque, i'd be avoiding s4s. most likely bs tho 22:44 2/27/2000 (0)
- A $500 chip that adds 100 lbs. of torque?? Show me please!!!!!!!! 22:32 2/27/2000 (5)
  - Re: A $500 chip that adds 100 lbs. of torque?? loanshark 23:55 2/27/2000 (4)
    - Even with the chip it's slower than the M3 (more) 321 Horses Down Under 01:32 2/28/2000 (1)
      - Re: Even with the chip it's slower than the M3 (mo loanshark 01:40 2/28/2000 (0)
    - Jesus at such low rpms too. That thing must pull like a mofo. Kinda shocking.(nt) 00:20 2/28/2000 (0)
    - oh shit. that's pretty insane. the dyno shows 375lb ft. how's that possible?(nt) 00:13 2/28/2000 (0)
- Re: Gobs of torque down low = S4 marc b 02:41 2/27/2000 (2)
  - Re: Gobs of torque down low = S4 jebuz 03:09 2/27/2000 (1)
    - Re: Gobs of torque down low = S4 marc b 03:45 2/27/2000 (0)
Re: NSX / E46 M3 Scot 21:32 2/26/2000 (0)

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