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Honda's VTEC Explained

Honda's VTEC Explained

 

Since the late 1980's Honda has been including VTEC with its high performance models. Like many other automotive acronyms, we can go our entire lives without knowing exactly what it is or how it works, even if we use it every day. We and our partners at Dick Poe Chrysler in El Paso, TX did a little digging, and what we found is pretty impressive.

VTEC stands for variable valve timing and lift electronic control. It is a type of valve timing system designed by Honda and used exclusively in their vehicles. It changes the oil pressure to shift between cam profiles. When the engine is under heavy load, VTEC allows for greater valve lift, allowing more air into the cylinder. This in turn generates more horsepower.

The way VTEC performs this is extremely efficient and arguably more advanced than any other manufacturer's methods. It uses two rocker arms for each cylinder and a central rocker arm with its own high-profile cam, which is unused at low RPMs.

As engine speeds rise, a piston inside the rockers is pressurized with oil, locking all three cams together to increase valve lift. This is where that signature VTEC sound comes from, which for high performance Honda model owners is unmistakable.

Next time you see the VTEC symbol on a Honda engine, just take a moment to think about the research and refinement that has placed Honda at the front of the pack with valve timing systems.

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: Popular Mechanics

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