Happy to report all is well. In an effort to try and make sure I could feel/hear the engagement I was just easing thru the 5500-6500 range and it was not engaging. So last night I got on an open section highway and "floored" it at 5000 and without exception every time I hit 6000ish it clearly kicked in. Feeling much better now, it is on to other odds and ends. Thanks all for the feedback.

Chris

 

VTEC will work at throttle positions above like...12%, IIRC.

Basically, if you put enough throttle into it to even get it to 6K...it should be enough to tell the ECU to engage VTEC.

You just didn't hear it. The less throttle you use, the more subtle the noise and change in pace...for obvious reasons.

The S2000 doesn't have as dramatic of a changeover as some other models. And the stock airbox/exhaust muffles it.

VTEC doesn't "crack hard" or "soft". Its just a matter of perception.

Tons of threads on this site with people sometimes going so far as to wire up lights and break out scientifically relevant tools to ensure engagement.

The test of removing the airbox lid and flooring it in like...2nd gear starting at 3K RPM is AGES old....and extremely simple.