Wasn't condeming the VTEC system itself, just the fact that's it so overhyped chap, don't get me wrong - I know of Honda's history, I know they take pride in the fact that their engines are lightly detuned "race" engines, I know all that...but the fact of the matter is that the User's of Honda's cars, not Honda themselves (I have yet to see an ad Claiming "Vtec - it's what makes us fast!) just hype up the VTEC system to the point of lunacy
Where's my car? It's not off the road, but good attempt at a lowblow...it was the 5efhe that let me down, not the 4efte
. As for cars that produce 100bhp/liter...well...you drive one, 133bhp in a 1332cc engine...Let's not try to get pots at people, it's not the point of this discussion. In no way have I condemned the Honda Engines, the Vtec System or their reliability...I think people that take pride in something will fail to read answers in the right context. What I was saying is that there is SUCH a stigma with VTEC - people think it adds so much power, that it's a unique system no other car manufacturer knows about, that it is superior to anything out there. It...well...just isn't. Everyone does Variable Valve Timing now, mostly economy minded, but the VVTi in the 4A-GE's, 2ZZGE's etc, are certainly not. I couldn't see Lotus choosing the 2ZZGE on grounds that the Variable Valve Timing system would make the Elise/Exige an Economical car.
4A-GE is a very common Kitcar engine by the way, the only reason they wouldn't be used AS much is that they are so expensive in the first place. Truth be told, the 4A-GE's, if not Better than the B-series engines, are JUST as good. The point I tried getting at is, fair do's, Honda probably brought Variable Valve Timing to the mainstream before anyone else...but, who really cares? The way most people make it out is that Vtec is akin to having Umpteen horsepower come on at Vtakkkkkkk point, sending them flying! Come on, be realistic for a moment, just how much extra "oomph" can switching camshaft profiles TRULY provide? I've felt "Vtec" before, maybe my flatmate's car is a poor example, but Vtec just sounded like the exhaust got louder, and not much else. Shit engines? I've never mentioned that - I DID mention though that most Honda users thrash their engines as "it's what the engine enjoys", and as a result, it
could make the engine unreliable. Oh, it's not limited to Honda users...the number of times I hear of people changing at 7---rpm on their 4EFTE's...why? Trying to PURPOSEFULLY blow your engine up? Anything after 5500-6000rpm for a gearchange is fruitless.
And Honda aren't the only Engine people around...the 4A-GE was widely used in motorsports for example, and was even available in Race Trim (Atlantic Race Series Spec) and not saying this personally, but I've read that the VVTi in the 4A-GE's were somewhat more effective in providing a greater increase on the camshaft switch point, but as a result, it's an engine that needs to be Thrashed to produce any meaningful forward momentum. The 4A-GE also had many trick features, of which I'd need to read up again, but nevertheless, trick "racing derived" features
Please don't take offense Rory, you are a very decent chap and have helped me in the past, I just like discussions and getting a point across, and I feel you have misinterpreted what I said.