VTEC sound

[Kick it down a gear]

I like vtec but I would like to accentuate the cam change more in the S2000. I have driven a Prelude with I/E and when the cam changed it pulled quite a bit harder and got a lot louder. I currently also have a Integra GSR with a cai that also gets a lot louder when the more aggresive cam takes over. I love the S2000 engine but was wondering how much of a difference anything from just a cai to a full I/H/E system would make. I know I wont get much power but how much difference will it make when vtec rolls over?

[s2000isu]

just taking the air box lid off makes it alot louder. Its just like any other engine with v tec

[gomarlins3]

If you want loud, try the Invidia exhaust.

[Kick it down a gear]

Im not really looking for a loud exhaust, Im trying to make the engine sound louder and better. The invidia sounds really good but its too loud and i dont like the cannon look. If I do go with exhaust I want something more traditional looking, a tip and muffler.

The air box lid removal worked really well, it really changed the sound, much better now. Thanks for all the help.

[s2000isu]

Also I know it does for other cars but im not trying it to mine cutting out the baffle in the airbox and leaving the lid on makes it louder then stock while giving stock appearace. I havent installed it yet but im putting a aem cai on mine so itll be interesting to see how that sounds

[bobby2002S2K]

Best bet get some more cams that are a bit more rad.

[gomarlins3]

Changing the cams just to get a better sound seems a little extreme to me.

[bobby2002S2K]

Yea it is a bit extreme, but thats the only way to get the sound that hes talking about. i have a 97 prelude also with a h22A4 and theres no way the S is going to sound like the perludes vtec change over unless you get some crazy cams. Also our S2Ks are I-vtec right?I maybe wrong but i'm sure that has alot to do with it the H22a4 is just vtec.Wasnt one of the main factors in the new I-vtec to help the change over not so harsh?Not sure just something to look into maybe.

[s2000isu]

our cars cant sound as aggressive as a prelude when it kicks in? i dunno about that. I wish mine didnt sound like a honda............................

[MattG]

S2000 is not ivtec (or at least not called ivtec)
Changing the exhaust and intake can make a big difference in noise.

[Kick it down a gear]

I never really understood the difference between ivtec and vtec. So then does ivtec just soften the roll over?

[Scott]

Crower just released their new cams for the S2000. There seems to be some debate on the other forum about if there's ANY power benefit stemming from them.

But I guess they might change the engine's idle note a bit if that's all you're after.

[ottokrat]

I don't know if this will apply to your situation, however, when I got my S2000, I experimented with 2 of the available fuels out here in northern california.
I tried Shell 91 and Chevron 91 (91 is highest octane available here). I tried each for 3 tankfuls to let the computer come up to speed on the fuel.

Shell: somewhat less smooth at lower rpms, throttle response slightly inconsistent; pulls strong thru 6k, sudden huge burst of power with vtec engagement, all gears!

Chevron: very smooth at all rpms, very predictable throttle response; pulls strong all the way up the powerband, but can't hardly even tell that vtec has engaged, power just continues to build smoothly with increasing rpms.

I prefer running on Shell because of the huge burst of power in vtec.

[s2000isu]

I hate to say it but all that is just in your head. Maybe it was a temp difference making your car run differently. Gas def should not have affected power by much at all

[ottokrat]

Dude, no offense, but you've got a lot to learn about engines if you think that fuel doesn't affect performance, gas milage, etc...

I stand by my observations that Shell and Chevron run differently in my car, as I did back to back to back tests with each gas for 3 tankfulls in a row.

(Also, you'll find that people claim different milage with different gas, and it stands to reason as composition, additives, and quality vary even among gasses rated as having the same octane.)

[Tim Gedney]

You've brought up a good point.... For a long time (in previous vehicles) I was an Amoco fan. In my Explorer, I really didn't care much but do still like Shell gasoline. What brands do you folks use in your S2K? What seems to work well for you?

You also mentioned letting the computer adjust to the fuel over 3 tanks or so. Is it best to stay with one brand, or does switching around hinder the performance?

Thoughts?

Tim
02' Suzuka Blue

[s2000isu]

lol pot calling the kettle black have you seen the motor I built? Or the manifold I fabricated? Do a little research on fuels you might be surprised at who's the one that has a lot to learn. First of all higher octane burns slower the reason for this is to fight against pre detonation. The only real benefit you may see is higher octane also burns cooler another reason why it fights of detonation. Decreases hot spots in the cylinder. Some could argue that these cooler cylinder temps would lead to more power but you wont feel it. Ask all the guys that spend 12 bucks a gallon on their stock cars at the track and don't run any faster. If you don't believe me do a fuel search and don't go to like a civic forum cause they swear wings make them faster.

[ottokrat]

It's been my observation that the computer takes between 3/4 and 1 1/2 tankfuls to deliver the best gas milage and performance after switchting brands or after resetting the computer. So I'd recommend staying with one brand for a while, or, in other words not switching brands too often. Keep in mind I have an '06 (with the wide band O2 sensor and different computer) and things may be different for other model years.

[ottokrat]

s2000isu: I don't know why you are giving me a lecture on higher octane fuel. My post was comparing Shell 91 with Chevron 91 - same octane.

[s2000isu]

Why would two of the same octane gasses yield different results? I understand why someone would think a different octane would give different performance but the same octane I dont know why anyone would think that. I also dont understand why gas would affect vtec the cams suddenly gain more duration?

[Kick it down a gear]

I have noticed that somes gases do run smoother then others. Its simple fact that some gasolines are better then others. Its never happened personally but I know people that have bought gas that has run rough and caused knocking, and I was in the car. Im not saying that it will effect performance in any real way or everyday driving for that matter. However, if you pay attention to how different gases run I bet you will find a difference.

[s2000isu]

I go to the same sunoco every time and put 93 in it. I dont go their because they have the best gas I go their cause they used to carry 94 which is all I used to run in my turbo car and I just got used to going there. Theres a sunoco about 3 miles down the road that twice and ive only been their 4 times has given me bad gas. I blew my turbo car up the first time and guess whos gas was in the car. Another time I put it in the ranger and it barely drove. So seeing that the gas comes from the same plant on the same truck but gives different results dont ya think that maybe its not the gas its the tank being contaminated?

[Scott]

Some of the Sunoco stations around here still sell 100 octane, not that I need it.

Quality of gas between companies is almost completely irrelevant, like s2000isu said. Most gas comes from similar conditions and is refined in the same ways. The real difference (also like previously mentioned) is the containment facilities. If the station doesn't keep their equipment clean, it can negatively affect the quality of the petrol.

For example, look at these companies. AM/PM, BP, Royal Dutch, Conoco, Phillips 66, Arco, Esso, Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Union 76, Speedway, Marathon, Texaco, Caltex, Standard Oil.
Sounds like a lot of competition. Well, those 16 "companies" are really only 5 companies.

So you may think all these fuels are different, but in many cases you are incorrect.

[bobby2002S2K]

i-VTEC (The i stands for intelligent) introduced continuously variable camshaft phasing on the intake cam of DOHC VTEC engines. The technology first appeared on Honda's K-series four cylinder engine family in 2001 (2002 in the U.S.). Valve lift and duration are still limited to distinct low and high rpm profiles, but the intake camshaft is now capable of advancing between 25 and 50 degrees (depending upon engine configuration) during operation. Phase changes are implemented by a computer controlled, oil driven adjustable cam gear. Phasing is determined by a combination of engine load and rpm, ranging from fully retarded at idle to maximum advance at full throttle and low rpm. The effect is further optimization of torque output, especially at low and midrange RPM.

For the K-Series motors there are two different types of i-VTEC systems implemented. The first is for the performance motors like in the RSX Type S or the TSX and the other is for economy motors found in the CR-V or Accord. The performance i-VTEC system is basically the same as the DOHC VTEC system of the B16A's, both intake and exhaust have 3 cam lobes per cylinder. However the valvetrain has the added benefit of roller rockers and continuously variable intake cam timing. The economy i-VTEC is more like the SOHC VTEC-E in that the intake cam has only two lobes, one very small and one larger, as well as no VTEC on the exhaust cam. The two types of motor are easily distiguishable by the factory rated power output: the performance motors make around 200 hp or more in stock form and the economy motors do not make much more than 160 hp from the factory.

In 2004, Honda introduced an i-VTEC V6 (an update of the venerable J-series), but in this case, i-VTEC had nothing to do with cam phasing. Instead, i-VTEC referred to Honda's cylinder deactivation technology which closes the valves on one bank of (3) cylinders during light load and low speed (below 80 miles per hour) operation. The technology was originally introduced to the US on the Honda Odyssey Mini Van, and can now be found on the Honda Accord Hybrid and the 2006 Honda Pilot. An additional version of i-VTEC was introduced on the 2006 Honda Civic's R-series four cylinder engine. This implementation uses very small valve lifts at low rpm and light loads, in combination with large throttle openings (modulated by a drive-by-wire throttle system), to improve fuel economy by reducing pumping losses.

With the continued introduction of vastly different i-VTEC systems, one may assume that the term is now a catch-all for creative valve control technologies from Honda.

[Kick it down a gear]

very informative, thanks

[67AtlasDave]

I know this is an old thread so sorry for bringing it back up.

The One and Only S2000 that i drove i belive was a 2002 so we are still talking the F20C (which is only a VTEC not an i-VTEC) and the thing i loved most about it was when I hit VTEC I could feel it, see it, and hear it. What i mean by thoes things is I felt the slight jerk in the seat when the extra power was delivered, i saw the digital tach get brighter (or so it seemed to me), and then there was the sound... what a beautiful exhuast note that was!!! Thoes three things (and the pure joy of driving her) was the major things that made me want to go out and buy the car. I use to own a 93 Prelude SI when i lived in England with a full exhuast and never really noticed the sound of the VTEC. Di you ever find a way to pronauce the sound

Also for other thing brought up, gas and who makes it can make a diferance in the performance of the engine. I also belive that just becuase two gas station with diffrent names i.e. Shell or Sunco might be owned under the same company does not mean they provide you with the same quality gas. If they did why wouldn't the advertise all gas the same? You have Shell telling you that there V-Power (which is all i put in my cars) is the cleanest burning fuel on the market so there for Mobil Gas stations in Cali (if there are any?) would have to advertise the same thing sence they are owned by shell (this only for the cali market!) so they are esentualy supplying you with the same gas. This would be according to Scott's thinking.

s2000isu, having the same octane rating but from two diferent gas compaines will give you different results every time. It all depends on how the fuel is manufactured.. some companies put more degergents/addatives in the fuel than others causing your ECU to react so it can combust the fuel in the most effecent manner. And yes the ECU can tell how clean or dirty a fuel is. So you will notice when a fuel that had a crap load of additives in it has been put in to your tank. I went over to a Conaco once becuase the line at the Shell was way too long and i felt the engine running like crap untill really about two fill-ups after the conaco fill-up. And I only put 91 in my cars even in this high gas price era that we are currently living in. My sugestion is and it looks like you have already done it is find a gas station and company that you like and continue to fill up at that one. Also did you pursue any legal action against the gas staion that supplied you with the bad gas causing your turbo engine to blow? And how could you prove it was the gas other than filling it up then it blew? I am just wondering i am not trying to be condensending or anything. i just know if that where me I would have been alot richer by now if i could prove it where the gas. Bye the way what year was that RX7?

sorry for the bad spelling and bring up an old thread again but i had to put in my thoughts.

[philiam]

You don't always get the brand you think you're buying. Independent stations buy from several sources, depending what's available and at what price.

Buy your gas at a busy station. Some stations get condensation in the tanks over time. Also the gas can go stale and start to get a varnish that can make problems for your fuel system.

[cdgs2000]

Does anyone know the exact reason they did not implement i-vtec in the s2k? Although the standard vtec sounds great on the transition...I would think it would benefit the engine to have it through out the rpm range.

If you want a louder vtec noise... get the AEM V2. It's very loud WOT. I have mixed feelings for it though