why was vtec installed on 2002 and up vfrs

I came upon a post about why vtec was installed on 2002 and up vfrs and went like this due to hondas inability to meet emission standards honda came up vtec

to meet the standards in the us. True or false and it was cheaper then gear driven cams. I thank you all for your input I am just sayin

 

I think it is a way of getting performance (at higher RPM) and economy at normal RPM. I am currently working part time at a Honda Auto Dealer, and I notice that most of their engines utilize VTEC, even the Odyssey van.

 

The car VTEC (Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control) is much different than what is on the VFR isn't it? I understood the car version is actually a "variable" valve timing, not 2 valves then 4 valves when a certain RPM is reached. Not to say that it wasn't intended as you say, I think the technology and application is much different.

 

It was good environmental PR for Honda when announced in the VTec would meet the projected 2008 Californian pollution laws in 2001, the other reason Honda gave at the time was to re-introduce some engine character after switching over from Gear Driven Cams to chain driven cams but that might just be after the fact PR.

 

Biggest reasons is that when it kicks is, it may cause orgasm. JK. With the number of vehicle sold every uear in Ca. They can pretty much dictate what auto makers will or will not do. Many other jurisdictions follow California's lead.

 

What is it with California and why has it been forcing all these laws on manufactures for all these years, somebody must have some "look at me complex, I'm smarter than the rest of the world because of all the controls I make the state abide by"

 

Not just California's fault, the VFR Gen 5 engine even with the MK2's O2 sensors and cat wasn't able to meet the expected Euro 4 Laws for 2005 either, the Gen 6 meeting both in 2002 killed 2 birds with one stone so to speak giving Honda Environmental credibility and early Gen 6 VFR riders poor fueling.

 

You should ha e seen the LA smog back in the early 70's. You would then understand their strong commitment to improving emissions standards. The companies then choose to sell the same product to other jurisdictions rather than to re-tool to any extent.

 

Yep, the VFR "vtec" is kind of a joke. In the car there is a separate larger profile cam lobe with it's own specific rocker arm riding between the two rockers actuating the valves (assuming DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder). At low RPM all valves are operating, riding on "normal" profile lobes. That center vtec rocker is just freewheeling on it's larger one. at that vtec rpm point, the two outside rockers lock in to the center one. They now follow that larger cam lobe increasing valve lift and duration. i-vtec takes it a step further by adding a mechanism to the end of the camshafts that can change positioning of the camshafts in relation to crankshaft rotation.

On the VFR there is no separate cam lobe profile and rocker. There is one cam lobe per two valves, one valve always operating other simply stays completely closed at lower RPMs. at that RPM point the second rocker locks in allowing the 2nd valve to open. theoretically they could have done servo valves in intake and exhaust headers and achieved similar results. Honda has done intake and exhaust valves before, Yamaha used an exhaust servo EX-UP back in the day on the old FZR line. In fact I think a power valve setup in the piping would have been better overall. They could have smoothed over the transition point as much as they wanted.

Why did Honda install that on the VFR? I don't think it really had anything to due with performance or emissions. I believe for noise and cost reasons they wanted to do away with the gear driven camshafts and go back to chain/tensioner. Ever since they moved the camshaft gear train to the right side of the block from the center with the 5th gen, that whine was noticeably louder. But imagine if they had just added the cam chain back with no other changes. The press would have had a field day with the "de-evolution" of Honda's supposedly always pushing tech V4. I would see a hard sell for 2002 VFRs vs the 2001. So the crippled "Vtec" was added to cover and distract away from the removal of the gear driven cams. Honda could then still claim the engine was still pushing technology forward.

Might be BS, but makes sense to me considering how very little the "vtec" actually does to the overall performance of the bike.

 

Why did they do it?.......because they could and because it's funny to read all the stupid comments it generates.

 

One reason is that so the dealerships can charge aboot six times the price for adjusting the valve train as the non-Vtec engines. Then again, it could be worse if ya have a desmo duc and only a 6" crescent wrench in your toolbox.

 

I remember reading the press releases in various motorcycle magazines at the time citing the 2002 VFR800 as its being one of Hondas Technology benchmarks and using the VTec in conjunction with 12 port injectors and 3 way Cats as being important in meeting the expected 2008 California pollution laws in 2001. Honda in the late 90's had publicly committed themselves to using technology to decrease fuel consumption and emissions as being important to their companies future direction but it may also be true the VTec itself and removal of GDCs in meeting them could have been more about PR spin than reality.

Have added a couple of 2001 Honda releases from a quick google search mentioning their VFR, Gold Wing and Outboard motor meeting expected Cali 2008 emission laws as a reference.

====================================================

California Honda Sport Touring Association
2001 VFR800 Preview

Actually, some of you have already seen previews of the
newest VFR800 in the press. This new bike weighs a
little more than last year’s model. The extra weight is
mostly in the rear, where the frame has been beefed up
to accept the saddlebags that many have hoped to see
on this motorcycle.

<snip>

Meets 2008 CARB emissions standards.

http://www.calmsta.org/newsletters/2001-12.pdf

========================================================================================================

GOLD WING 2001 Press Release

Powerful new fuel-injected 1832cc six-cylinder engine produces smooth, effortless power-118 bhp and 125 lb./ft. of torque-while meeting the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2008 emissions standards.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/09/21sept00wingcommand2001/

========================================================================================================

Power EquipmentJapanOctober 9, 2001
Honda Introduces Two New 4-Stroke Marine Outboards;
Powerful Engines Exceed Tough Emissions Standards

Tokyo, October 9, 2001 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced two new 4-stroke marine outboard engines.
Both feature the extraordinary performance, efficiency and reliability of Honda 4-stroke technology and environmentally friendly performance
that exceeds the world's strictest emissions regulations established for 2008 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in the U.S.

 

Honda has a history of clean engines from their tiny AC generators to the Civics of the 70's .

Cars and bikes were not the only causes for smog in the LA Basin. Some of it, yes of course. All of it as is publicized? Hell no! Part of that is in the word "basin" and was not confined to the 70's.

 

I loved my Vtec Honda S2000. I LOVED it. Bloody ex wife and her bloody bitch lawyer. But I'm not bitter.

 

Agreed. But people like to blame the auto industry for all that ails them. We had a smog problem here in the Upper Fraser Valley too. There is a low mountain close by, (about 4 miles as the crow flies) that often you could not see because of the smog here. We are located in the tight end of a funnel of mountains so air pollutants from the Greater Vancouver Area is pushed by off shore breezes then gets trapped here. What they don't mention in all the news is that here in the valley, we have major food producers. Especially dairy and chicken producers. You don't see the animals because they do not get out of the barns. But you sure smell them when they spread all that liquid brown gold on the hay fields. A lot of the smog here in this area is actually methane.

 

What BB & Randy said.

Would love to see the readings on a 5 gas analyzer stuck in the vents/ exhaust of some the oil burning buildings here in New England. I'm sure some of these 30 yr old furnaces are running clean.

 

Never let it be said that Canadians don't know shit.

 

LA had it's share of oil furnaces too. Seattle still does. It's like a adding up a bunch of numbers that when totaled render a result.

 

I think they could have met emissions standards with the 5th gen by adding a traditional power valve setup they've used in other bikes. I know the mid 2000's cbr600 uses an exhaust power valve. None of Honda's other bikes use "vtec" (other than the JP only CB400SF)