This will be one of my few serious posts on this subject.
On my way to work tonight, I decided to make mental notes of what the car does under these very wet conditions. The rain was coming down at a rate that almost (but not quite) needed the fastest wiper speed. Pools of standing water on the road everywhere and "rivers" of water running across the road and down each tire track.
[Asif - closes eyes] I reached speeds up to 110 klicks through all of the above, after accelerating up to speed moderately. At no time did I feel the tire rubber leave the road surface (ie. hydroplane). This was in a straight line. All was good. [/Asif - opens eyes] I could not go through the only curve I'm familiar with at any decent speed as the car ahead of me was only going about 45 klicks. I did manage another curve at about 75 klicks on similar water with no ill effects. I was accelerating moderately. Both circumstances, I did not engage VTEC.
From a standing start, it is possible to do a clutch drop from about 3500 rpm with no bog. The tail does not whip out too noticeably.
I then tried a WOT, straight line acceleration (after the clutch was out and just rolling). At the point of VTEC engagement, the rear end began to shutter as it started to loose grip. Once into VTEC, the back end "danced" and it was IMPERATIVE to "counter steer" or let off gas or both. The counter steer MUST be immediate and calculated to keep the car running in the desired direction. A redline shift into second produced a lot of wheel spin and more "dancing" of the rear. Again, IMMEDIATE and calculated steering inputs MUST be made.
This car is very controllable under these extreme conditions but you must be prepared to give the car the REQUIRED inputs to "save" it. If you are NOT good at "feeling" this car's responses to this kind of power input, DO NOT drive like this. With practice, however, it is a REAL, REAL, LOT of fun! If you are not prepared, it can be a REAL, REAL, LOT of misery.
Be careful out there and watch what you're doing, friends.

 

Nice test drive Dave. I was out in those conditions today and wasn't afraid one bit. I Vtec'd twice and had it under normal control. I didn't do any clutch dumps or fast cornering but it was fun driving in the rain and seeing the water beed off the car thanks to Zaino.

Later on when it was dry, 2nd gear vtec pulled like a mofo. It is nice to have very cool temps to produce nice power.

 

I'll vtec it going straight but am very cautious around any bend and high speeds.

On my trip back from Vancouver, B.C. about 2 months ago, I had nothing but rain all of the way to Calgary. Drove it hard all of the way with a top speed of... I CAN'T SAY...I would get into trouble. So straight roads are fine in the rain with practice but I can feel the car dance in the rain with hard acceleration. Be safe!

I hear ya Dave...I had my heart skip a beat or two thinking that I might have lost it 1 or 2 times on the trip. I guess that's why I am a bit cautious around turns.

 

Yikes! Seems like you had some fun out there. I suppose many of the characteristics you mention are consistent with most or all rear wheel cars out there. You can yay or nay that Dave since you've owned a few yourself. I imagine that the S is probably a lot better than some of those other torque monsters out there, purely due to its size, weight and 50/50 weight ratio.

Thanks for playin on our accord Dave!!
Asif

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by VTEXTC
[B]I imagine that the S is probably a lot better than some of those other torque monsters out there, purely due to its size, weight and 50/50 weight ratio.

Thanks for playin on our accord Dave!!

 

Yes, power delivery is quite dramatic at VTEC than just prior to. Within a matter of a few RPM you're experiencing what feels like 50% more power when VTEC comes into song. On the one single occasion I have vtec'd I felt the back end let loose at vtec on a DRY road. Can only imagine what it might be for the unaware driver in the wet.
Asif