I doubt engaging VTEC much lower would help power. There isn't any real magic to VTEC, it is just engaging a more aggressive set of cams for the engine. Cams that need a lot of airflow to function properly. Engaging the more radical set of cams earlier would probably not gain much, since they are designed to work with the amount of airflow a stock car would produce at 6000 RPM. You may be able to adjust it back to, say, 5800, since you slightly altered the breating characteristics of the car, but I think taking it down to 4000 would be a mistake.

If you've ever driven a car that has one cam or set of cams and they are radical, you can better understand what I'm getting at. Coming up on cam in those cars is much like switching into VTEC. As soon as the RPM is high enough, there is a great rush of power and things seem to fall into place for the engine. Until then, the engine seems strained and "boggy".

The true benefit of the VAFC is that it will allow you to tune the car (to an extent). It works by modifying the airflow signal the computer sees. This means you can adjust the fuel - indirectly - by changing that amount of air the computer thinks is present. Being able to lean the car out a bit more will gain some power, but you also will be messing with the signals going into the car's ECU.

I would recommend against a VAFC for you. Maybe look into an exhaust for a bit more power and a much more aggressive tone.

 

Richard,get the Megan S.S.test pipe from Gary;will improve your exhaust flow.
What goes in,must come out !!!

 

the VAFC is good for the price. i have one. once i mod the car more or if i ever go FI, i will upgrade to the EMS.

get yourself an intake/testpipe/exhaust and then install the vtec controller but take it to a reputable shop and have them tune it for you on a dyno.

 

Well, now I've got two additional questions: What is a Greddy E-manage Ultimate, and what is a test pipe?

Thanks,
Richard

 

Richard,
have a look at Gary's thread,in Group buy,"Megan S.S.cat.delete test pipe,with built-in resonator",$98.00 shipped.
Emil.

 

Thanks, Emil:

Checking it out now.

Now, will somebody tell my what this Greddy thing is?

Thanks,
Richard

 

below is the info directly off of Greddy's website but i'll give you the break down in a few words.

it's basically a piggy-back computer that plugs into your existing ECM(some people call this the ECU). it allows you to not only monitor what your car is doing but it lets you control things such as the fuel/spark/air intake/etc...
it allows you to add more fuel at a given rpm range, it allows you to change the ignition map accordingly, it allows you to monitor the different sensors on the car.
the E-Manage is great for a moderately to heavily modded cars. your car in it's current state doesn't need this...hell, most people don't need this. for us average folks with our basic bolt-ons the VAFC works just fine. once you start modding your car more like building the bottom-end(the block) or adding an aggresive stick and building the valvetrain that's when you'll need to upgrade because the VAFC can't give you the tuning capabilities that are required for your car to perform at it's full potential.

PS- a test pipe is a straight pipe that replaces your catalytic converter. it allows the exhaust gases to pass throught more efficiently. it's illegal in most states and it's only to be used on off-road vehicles.


[QUOTE]e-MANAGE ULTIMATE
(Advance Engine Control Unit Manager)

 

Thanks!

It sounds as though the Greddy is far too advanced for my simple mind! I would probably set it far wrong and blow the engine! Maybe the same for the VTEC Controller. The test pipe might not be a problem for me, as my state has no emissions testings. But I have yet to learn whether it REALLY produces more power where I want it, or just makes noise (which I don't want).

All who read and respond to my post should understand that I am interested only in fairly simple mods. Should I become so dissatisfied with this (or any other) car's performance that only MAJOR mods will fix it, I'll just get another car that suits my needs better. But fairly small things often produce good results. Read the AUT radiator plate and CAI thread under Sponsored group buys, and my comments thereunder. For $170 for this part plus another $30 for materials to fashion mods to go with it, I was able to achieve some cool ram air, totally rid myself of heat soak bog in my hot climate, and measurably increase my pre-VTEC acceleration.

So, to my thinking, if a VTEC Controller or any other mod would be in this general category, I'm interested. But if it is a risky or highly technical matter, I am not, and I will just enjoy my car for what it is.

Here is an example of what I DON'T want. I just looked at another guy's s2k, and he had a K&N "CAI(?)" that put the air intake in part of his engine bay where I had previously wired a thermometer on my car, which broke after 130 degrees F after a 2 mile drive. Not exactly cool air! But he liked the sound of it, so good for him, but not for me.

Thanks,
Richard

 

CAI is cold-air intake. It brings in air from a colder spot, ie: fender, behind the bumper, etc. This is compared to short ram, or ARC style intakes.

 

my opinion the car does not need a whole lot of mods to continue to give your miles of smiles...i would do little more than allow some fresher air into the engine and perhaps some to exit faster with some added noise of your choice.

i have done nothing in the performance area as i think it performs really well...in fact there have been times when my ability to drive the car well is exceeded by what the car makes me believe i can do with it!

spend some money learning to drive your car faster at a track or school. that is the best mod, improve the drivers level of skill....