95 GSR VTEC Problem
 

early thanks to the ones who give help to this topic!

Here's the dealio with my 95 GSR....

I have checked to make sure the engine is a b18c1, not a regular b series with a vtec cover. Ive changed the engine oil so its not one of those give it an oil change and it'll work again.

My VTEC is not engaging. i am able to rev all the way to 9k but no vtec. I've previously owned a TSX so I know what VTEC sounds and feels like. I have been told that unlike the K series motor found in the TSX, the B series motors VTEC is slightly different when it comes to when VTEC is engaged. In the TSX, VTEC comes on around 6k and its a slight difference in sound, and a different feel in the pull of the car. I have been told the VTEC comes on around 4500rpm in the GSR and then the secondary runners or intake manifolds engage around 6500rpm. I talked to a mechanic who has worked on Integras before, he says thats not correct as the secondary runners are supposed to engage before VTEC. For starters, someone who has driven a GSR please tell me if VTEC goes before the secondaries or the other way around.

bottom line, please give me some pointers on getting the VTEC to kick in again. I have not been able to have the the thrill of having the vtec scream (hoping it does)

thanks everyone!

Cheers

First of all don't go back to that mechanic. Check your oil pressure.. if you can. If you low pressure.. no VTAK. Should come on around 5K or there abouts and you "should" notice it (if you have stock exhaust you might not VTAK is supposed to be smooth and not abrupt like everyone things especially in a GSR) If you have good oil pressure your VTAK solenoid might be clogged. That's the thing on the left side of your valve cover that looks like a little knob but isn't. Take it off and check the screens to make sure they are not clogged and rinse it off while you have it off.

VTAK engages first then the secondary's open up at a higher RPM. I have GSR cams in my car right now and you can both feel and hear a drastic difference.

Good luck.

Berz out.

Really? I spent a lot of time in a friend's GSR and a Prelude SRV 15 years ago, both of which weren't heavily modified. When the VTEC kicked in during hard acceleration, you DEFINITELY could hear it - it was like a bloodcurdling metallic scream! (mods were only bolt-ons like MSD, cone intake, full exhaust, VTEC controller).

Lol everything you said he had for mods makes VTAK louder. Especially an intake it actually sounds louder in the engine with an intake than coming out the exhaust.

If you can't tell if its working... its not working.

Berz out.

vtec isn't as noticeable in a b18c1 compared to h22. because i was comparing it to the b16 i'd ridden in before, back in the day when i did my gsr swap, i thought something was awry with it as well

The GSR is designed to be a more efficient smoother motor that's why the redone head and intake combo. More fuel efficiency and smoother powerband.

Berz out.

VTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK

Yo?

Berz out.

x2 Good place to start... and I also agree with staying the fuck away from that mechanic. If the problem persists, take your car to one of the sponsers or even the dealer to have it checked out. Before people jump on my nuts about going to the dealer, you're really not saving that much money by going to a private mechanic. Especially if they aren't that familiar with your car/motor. Best to take it to someone who knows your motor inside and out, and will fix the problem properly, the first time around.

Do you have any CEL's?

OOH Good question, good question. How long have you had the car for?

Berz out.

Ive had the car for over a month now. Everything is stock as far as I am aware of.Intake manifold is oem. based on the fact that its all stock, i didnt anticipate much noise as usual stock systems are quite quiet. However, the mechanic has done this wiring method to prove to me that vtec is running. He had two wires run from under the hood that would manually engage the vtec once the wires touch. we took it out for a drive and when he touches the wires while im reving it, i would say the noise changes at about 6-7k and the feel in the pull is noticeably different. I am thinking that the solenoid screen is possibly dirty, however after doing the manual vtec engagement, if the screen was dirty, shouldnt the vtec fail?

Yep if the screen is dirty then the manual override won't work. Next I would check oil pressure... oh also if your car is cold VTAK won't engage it has to be at operating temperature.

6-7K is way to high for VTAK to be engaging that is the secondaries opening up in the intake manifold. That will change intake sound and power but not like VTAK.

I still think its not working and your "mechanic" doesn't really know what he's doing.

VTAK on GSR engages at about 4800 so the "noise" and feel should be around there.

Berz out.

When VTEC kicks in on the GSR, is it drastically noticeable in sound and feel? the VTEC on the TSX was rather subtle in terms of noise, and more noticeable in terms of feel. haha does that make sense? thanks for your help on this Berz

Top off your VTEC fluid!

lololol vtec fluid, least its not your VTECH fluid. Oil pressure and temperature then i would check the solenoid. But VTEC is usually pretty noticeable in most Hondas/Acuras. Atleast the F20C and the F22C and H22A it is.

I personally had a 94 GSR for 2 yrs and vtec kicks in at around 4300 rpm. It is very noticable in terms of noise so if you're not noticing any change especially when you are paying close attention trying to catch that change, then its probably not engaging. Just go on youtube, theres like a billion videos on vtec crossover for a b18c1.