Honda’s VTEC

Honda’s decision was to change the shape of the cam using two different camshaft profiles depending on the engine speed. VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) hydraulically chooses between the camshaft profile for a little lift at low speeds, and one for higher lift at high engine speeds. The system allows in one profile to achieve fuel efficiency and economy, and the other a high output power for higher speeds. This makes Honda’s engines very flexible.

Hydraulic switching is controlled by the computer (ECU), which takes into account the information about fuel pressure, engine temperature and speed. It is programmed to switch between the two profiles of the camshaft.

This transition between both profiles means that the Honda VTEC engines theoretically reach their peak very high in the scale of speed after the system came into operation. Although it does not lead to increased peak power similar to the operation of the turbocharger, many fans of Honda are proud of the capabilities of its engine at the top of the cliff.

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