I've owned my S for over 10 years with modest mods: AP1 flywheel and clutch slave cylinder and FPSport Ohlins DFV coilovers. I find that I am starting to drive like a hooligan (I'm retired); running deep into VTEC territory before shifting to next gear. I tend to keep transmission in a gear that puts the engine at 3K rpm so I have torque on hand while driving surface streets. I feel like I am making a spectacle by engaging VTEC on the street, yet I enjoy the kick in the butt the torque provides. I believe that I am spoiled by my newer family cars that can pull hard at low rpm without having to announce my presence. Is there a 12 step program for my addiction?

 

LOL! I have the same issue! If you find that program, let me know, I might should take it too (not).

BTW, what year is yours?



Michael

 

I know what you mean. I have an 06 as well with a flashpro tune and a Tanabe Exhaust. Its a peppy enough car when you get into it but not effortless at all like quiet v6 or turbo charged cars. I often feel like I am announcing myself while just keeping up with traffic...lol. It takes about 4-5k rpm shifts to keep up with brisk traffic from a stop and 3-4 to keep up with lazy traffic. I also usually cruise between 3-4k rpm most of the time. If not the exhaust drones a bit. I feel like 4k on this car =about 2.5k on a "normal" engine anyway since the car is so comfortable there. If I moderately get on it like even just 6-6.5k rpm with the exhaust I figure everyone thinks I am trying to race. Its fun though. I'm having more fun making sweet race car noises while driving at the same speed as the sedan in front of me...lol.

 

I came into this thread thinking there was a problem to be solved. Carry on ya'll.

 

I mean, below 3k is kinda lugging it with this engine. You pretty much have to keep it at 3k or above even when cruising.

Can't really dip much below that realistically. It does sometimes make others think you're trying to race when they hear your engine, even though you've got more than half the tach to rev through if you wanted...

 

You have no Shame!

I really want to try that AP1 flywheel on my 05', it should be great with my 4.57 diff.

 

3K is fine IF you're FlashPro tuned with VTEC at 3600. Waiting until 6000 wastes a lot of untapped power. Gernby's FlashPro tune optimizes power from 1800 - 2000 rpm and up. Others probably mirror this tune.

Anyone with an '06 or later is throwing away useful power if they don't get a FlashPro tune which can be done on the roads around your home and exchanging data with the tuner. Other tunes typically require an aftermarket ECU and expensive dyno time.

VTEC is there to be used, not avoided. Mine gets engaged the first stop sign/light after the engine warms.

-- Chuck

 

Right on Chuck. I wasn’t sure if there were any gains or not under 3k rpm. Good to know.

 

Sounds about right. To me part of the joy of having a sports car is being able to make as much use of the RPM range on tap as possible — if for no other reason than the pure satisfaction that it brings. For me this has little to do with how fast or quick the car is and more to do with the visceral experience provided by a the car. If my intentions typically involved driving in the lower regions of the RPM range then there would be plenty of other cars that could fit the bill and they wouldn't necessarily need to be sports cars.

 

The lowered VTEC caused me to install an audible "red line beeper" (for want of a better term) as the revs climbed so fast in the lower gears I was hitting the 8400 rpm rev limiter all the time. Scared the heck out of me on the first on-ramp.

Louder than stock intake and exhaust noise will increase the performance "feel" even if they do little unless the car has been tuned.

When lowered to 3600 rpm there is no VTEC Yo! You know, the effect you wait (and wait and wait) for as the revs climb to the 6000 rpm engagement. At 3600 the engagement is smooth and the exhaust note changes radically (with my exhaust).

This is how the car should have come from the factory.

-- Chuck