[Gaz]

Originally Posted by Paul RS

Instead of turbo lag they have vtec 'lag' though?

I just can't get on with the vtak at all, driven a few and genuinely the only one i've ever really like was Mark Francis's crx. It felt fast, anything else, teg type r's etc felt slow

I've never been in an s2000 to know what they are like though..

It all depends on your take on things. Honda wanted to build an engine that was docile and economical at low revs (thus easy to drive round town, etc) but also with a high power output and a high revving nature; in short, they wanted an engine with two personalities. And that's exactly what they came up with. Bear in mind, vtec was designed in the mid-late 80s, and turbo technology back then was nowhere near as advanced or impressive as it is now - it just wasn't a viable option for Honda. As much as you love Fords, even you have to admit that earlier ones like the RS Turbo and the big turbo Escort Cossie were known as much for their turbo lag as anything else - Honda wanted to avoid this and retain as much responsiveness as possible.

Now, some people see this dual nature system for what it is - the best of both worlds (vtec lovers like myself), others see it as devoid of torque and liken it to 'lag'. It all depends on your perspective really. Vtec engines do seem to suffer from a lack of torque, but that's only if you spend most of your time above 5000rpm and miss the shove in the back when you drop below it. Driven normally, I don't find them any worse than equivalent 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 from other brands

The problem with vtecs is that they always aim above their weight and this is where the torque problem reared it's head. When I had my first Civic Vti I remember having a go against a 2.0 16v red top Cavalier one night, I pulled about a car length on him which wasn't bad for my lowly 1.6. I knew the guy, and drove his car a few nights later - felt much more torquey than mine. Was it faster though? No.

But anyway .... I digress. It really is horses for courses, I just like all variety of engines (asides from French crap , cue 106lad)