cmf

I have noticed lately when driving my car I can't feel VTEC. I don't know if it's the exhaust and intake that make it that way or what. What really makes me pay attention to this, is now that my RSX-S is broken in, I have been driving it hard here and there. VTEC kicks you in the ass with that car, which doesn't happen in my TSX. Anyone have any insight as to why this might be happening? I would guess if I could really feel it in my RSX, I should notice something in the TSX as well.

gfxdave99

I've seen some posts on this and the jist from what i can remember is basically that ivtec is designed to not be noticed. Its designed to try to be as fluid from one set to the other.

The rsx-s may have basically the same engine but its tuned differently.

fdl

x 100

gfxdave99

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...ight=feel+vtec

cmf

gfxdave--thanks for the link...I searched that, which does explain a lot about VTEC!
Let me rephrase my question to maybe reduce this to a 25X repost that I can't find an answer for rather than a 100X repost like FDL claims!
WHY CAN I FEEL VTEC KICK IN MY RSX-S BUT NOT MY TSX?
They are both i-vtec engines, a bit of a different engine, but I don't see how there can be such a dramatic difference.

ClutchPerformer

1. Less low-end torque in the RSX engine = bigger change in thrust when you get on the big cams.
2. Bigger vtec range in the RSX engine (6000-8000 v.s 6000 7100).
3. RSX is much lighter (you'll feel the effects of changes like vtec, turbo coming on boost, brake/tire upgrades, etc. more). It's hard for anything to "kick you in the ass" in a 3300lb car.
4. Is your RSX modded? Intake mods tend to flatten torque curves (especially up high), robbing you of the "sensation" you're looking for.
5. Is RSX vtec three-stage? I don't know, but if it is there's another reason.

That's all I can think of.

cmf

Thanks...that explains a bit.
The RSX is not modded, maybe why I feel it so much more, cause the TSX has the intake and exhaust. I thought initially that might be part of it, but don't remember how VTEC felt prior to mods. Not sure about the weight thing though, could be wrong, but the difference in weight is only a few hundred pounds, no? It sounds like a lot, but in terms of the kick I feel in the RSX, it doesn't seem like it should make such a difference.

mg7726

have you tried putting the bong down?

JeffTSX

I'm with you on this one cmf. My S's VTEC does kick in a lot harder than the TSX. But since both of them shares pretty much the same internals my guess is that since TSX has much better sound insalation AND it's so much heriver, it's hard to feel the VTEC kicking in.

fdl

What he said.


Plus, the power curve in the TSX is alot flatter than the RSX. In fact, if you read on the rsx boards you'll see that when people install the hondata ECU they sometimes complain that the car actually feels sower , because hondata bumps up the low end torque and flattens out the torque curve.

But with vtec coming in at 6000 rpm on the TSX, the parties over before you can enjoy it anyways

tony4311

try this. Don't run wot. Only push the pedal about halfway down then let the revs rise to the cross over point and see if you notice it. It lasts longer and you'll notice it more, not that it really matters.

epkim

Yeah I noticed a difference in all the vtec's a while back. I think the Type-R has the strongest "kick" felt hands down. But one thing is the same... vtec wastes gas like a mofo.

ClutchPerformer

Sorry. That should say "if it ISN'T there's another reason."