I use to have a 98 Prelude and the notice when the VTEC really hit was at about 5K. Where is it in the new TL. I feel like there is not a big huge burst of power yet all around. I may have been able to tell a difference around 4500

 

I think 4700 is where it kicks in. New TL is meant to be smoother and quieter....maybe that's why u don't notice as much?

 

It is more gradual in the Accords and TL's mostly due to the fact that there is already quite a bit of power available.

Even in the almighty NSX, it is more subtle than say in a Prelude, Civic Si or Integra GS-R/Type R

 

I can feel it more in the TL than in my NSX.... actually.. if you look at a dyno graph for an NSX you'd see a remarkaby flat torque curve.. there are no jumps in torque (which is what would make you 'feel' the vtec).. The nice thing about the TL and the NSX - though - is that you have both nice torque at 2500-3000 and it holds all the way to redline (more or less)...


IMHO - i'd rather have more torque in the 3k-6k range than in the 5k-8k range as it is more 'usable' on the street.. and i think it has more of a seat of the pants feel... just an opinion tho.

Interesting note.. i wonder if i could buy an extra set of TL Calipers on put them on NSX front brakes? hmmmmm... anyone thought of this?

 

The VTEC on the TL kicks in at a certain rpm as opposed to some of the hotter Hondas and Acuras where the VTEC is modulated over a full range of rpms depending on what the computer says. This info from another web site.

 

VTEC(TM) (VARIABLE TIMING & LIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL)
Acura VTEC(TM) (Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control) gives the TL engine strong low speed torque and response coupled with class-leading high rpm horsepower. The TL VTEC system has two distinct modes of operation for the engine's 12 intake valves. At low speeds, the intake valves have low lift and are open a comparatively short period of time during cylinder filling. At high rpm where breathing is critical, the valves switch to high-lift, long duration mode to deliver the best volumetric efficiency possible. The VTEC changeover point occurs at 4700 rpm, and takes just 0.1 second; it's undetectable to the driver.

In the new TL, the VTEC system continues to be the 3-rocker type, which allows each of a given cylinder's intake valves to be controlled by its own low-speed cam lobe. (By comparison, with 2-rocker VTEC, both intake valves in a given cylinder are controlled by a single low-speed cam lobe). With different low-speed cam profiles for each intake valve, 3-rocker VTEC allows for staggered valve opening and lift. This promotes swirl in the combustion chambers, which improves efficiency. With better mixing in the cylinders, burn speed and combustion stability are improved. When engine rpm reaches 4700 rpm, the powertrain control module (PCM) triggers the opening of an electric spool valve that routes pressurized oil to small pistons in the intake valve rocker arms. These pistons slide into position to lock together the three intake rockers in a given cylinder, which then follow a single high-lift, long-duration cam lobe. With the engine's intake valve lift and opening duration continuously adjusted to suit the operating engine speed, the TL benefits with a broad torque curve and superior peak power.

 

The Prelude was single stage VTEC and DOHC that's why you felt it. In my Prelude I had Accord Euro R cams that made the crossover an even bigger push.

Prelude VTEC kicks in at 5290rpm.

 

I currently own both the TL and Prelude and have driven them daily alternatively. The TL is such a torquey car that doesn't need to be high revved to get the car going. Whereas the Prelude, you need to rev it up a bit to feel the push in the back. Comparing the two cars, the TL is all about refinement and lots of usable power for daily driving. Prelude is a sporty car that is fun to high rev with. In my Prelude Ive got the JDM Type S cams and the vtec crossover is quite remarkable. Ive yet raced the two cars head to head, my prelude could pull up slightly on the 03 TL Type S so I really wonder which of my car is faster now

 

To really feel "vtec" try a Honda S2000...through MY2003...and at 6000 rpm you feel a significant instant whack in the back and the sound goes from Civic to Honda 900cc sport bike....all the way to 9000. Jeckyl and Hyde. iVtec changes the cam profile gradually as revs climb so no "whack". TL is not iVtec but I have not really felt a change at 4700.

 

TL is my first Vtec engine. I use SS to rev over 4700 everyday. (that's how I found out I have check engine issues. it seems fixed though.) I feel the same way as you do, no significant change after that point. (my dealer said the new Vtec supposes to work smoothly without any special sensation although you go over that point. Can I believe what he said?)

Perhaps, I need to drive TSX or Prelude again.

 

On my 2002, I can hear it kick in at around 4400 RPM. With the sound and all, it just feels amazing.

 

If your TL is auto and it slightly pulls on a TLS expect the same for your new TL. I love the way VTEC feels in those 97-01 Ludes and S2000's but all of that racket would get to me sometimes, way too much noise.

 

Vandy, the type S kicks in at about 5100 RPM, not 4400 RPM (unless you've changed it with a V-AFC).

 

Don't think you can hear or feel a SOHC engine w/ VTEC kicking into the high-lift mode. Maybe on a DOHC VTEC. I haven't tested the new DOHC i-VTEC 4-cyl engines yet, I wonder how much different they are compared to our SOHC VTEC V6 or even a SOHC VTEC 4-cyl.

 

I'm sorry, I misstated the facts. Here's how it goes down exactly, coming from a knowledgable person on an older thread:

So both of us were wrong

 

That's wierd. I used to have a CAI and now have an Icebox. I can actually "hear" my VTEC engage (loud roar with the CAI - not as loud w/Icebox) and it happens at about 5100. Maybe it takes from 4800 to 5100 to fully engage (granted, the tach is generally moving upward quite rapidly when that happens )?

 

Yea, I thought I always hear my VTEC at around 4400RPM. OH well

 

I drove a 2003 accourd 4cy 5 speed. I did not hear when vtec kicked it. But I think as other have send that you just can not hear it. The car picke picked up really nice. Had 30k miles on it. I like that 4cy.