Honda Engine Technology
Honda engine technology encompasses several advanced features and innovations that contribute to the performance, efficiency, and environmental friendliness of their engines.
1. 4-Stroke Technology:
– Honda engines utilize efficient 4-Stroke technology, which offers superior fuel economy and does not require mixing of oil in the engine’s fuel supply. This results in reduced oil consumption and emissions of unburned oil in the exhaust, leading to better environmental performance and decreased operating costs with increased usage.
2. VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control):
– Honda’s i-VTEC (intelligent-VTEC) system incorporates continuously variable timing of camshaft phasing on the intake camshaft of DOHC VTEC engines. This technology allows for improved performance, fuel efficiency, and low emissions by adjusting valve lift, timing, and duration.
– The i-VTEC technology debuted in 2001 on Honda’s K-series four-cylinder engine family and has since been integrated into various Honda engines, delivering accelerated performance equivalent to larger engines with improved fuel efficiency.
3. Simple Construction and Reliability:
– Honda engines are designed with simple construction to minimize the number of parts, making them more reliable and easier to operate.
4. Racing-Inspired Innovations:
– Honda’s hemispherical combustion chamber, inspired by their proven racing technology, offers high V-Twin compression ratio, contributing to the engines’ performance.
5. Environmental Considerations:
– Honda’s engine technology incorporates innovative features designed to deliver a combination of performance, efficiency, and low emissions. This includes Variable Timing Control (VTC) and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) to optimize horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and emissions.
6. VTEC-E and VTEC Variants:
– Honda’s VTEC technology was initially developed to take advantage of the power band at both ends of the RPM spectrum. Additionally, a variant dedicated to increasing fuel economy, known as VTEC-E, was created.
7. Core Competencies and Development:
– Honda’s success has been attributed to its focus on leadership in the technology of internal combustion engines, which has been transferable into various products, including motorcycles and ATVs.
In summary, Honda’s engine technology encompasses a range of innovations aimed at enhancing performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental considerations, making their engines reliable and efficient across various applications.
Contents
What is the difference between VTEC and VTC?
VTEC still operates the same—using a low-profile cam lobe at low rpm and activating a high-profile cam lobe at high rpm—but its performance is augmented by VTC, which allows infinitely variable control over camshaft phasing.
Why does VTC rattle?
The rattle is caused by insufficient lock in the absence of oil pressure. With a leak, it would take a higher oil pressure to unlock it. This would not cause rattles, but the VTC actuator being locked in low oil pressure situations auch as idle or low rpm with low viscosity oil.
What’s so special about VTEC?
VTEC allows your car to control the intake stroke from high to low. This reduces fuel consumption and increases the performance of the vehicle even during difficult conditions. It will also allow you to reach higher speeds when you would not be able to do so under normal circumstances.
How long do VTEC engines last?
Honda offers some of the most durable and long lasting automotive engines of any automaker on the planet. They can easily hold their integrity for 200k miles or more if properly serviced and maintained.
Are VTEC engines good or bad?
Honda claims that there has never been a warranty claim against their VTEC systems – as in, the solenoids and variable valve/timing system is quite reliable. This isn’t at all to say that these engines don’t fail – of course they do – however they have a very good track record for reliability if maintained correctly.
Is VTEC basically a turbo?
VTec engine is basically a variable valve engine. So the vehicle gives you the boost you need at higher rpms and good economy at lower rpms. A standard turbocharged engine is basically a boosted engine which gives you good power onces you’ve got good rpms running as in the case of any normal turbocharged engines.
What does Honda VTC do?
The DOHC i-VTEC system enhances the effect of VTEC® by adding Variable Timing Control™ (VTC™). VTC is a hydraulically operated system that controls the timing of the chain-driven intake camshaft, advancing or retarding it during the intake cycle.
Which is better VTEC or non VTEC?
VTEC allows different cam adjustments for lower rpm and higher rpm allowing efficiency at low speeds, but less efficiency and more horsepower at higher rpm. This makes VTEC an ideal engine for both economical driving and performance.
Why did Honda get rid of VTEC?
Coincidentally, while CVCC was an emissions control technology, VTEC is being phased out in favor of more conventional double overhead cam (DOHC) technology in pursuit of less pollution.
Does VTEC really make a difference?
Depends on how your engine is set up. Vtec is just an actuated system that switches your cam profile when at higher RPMs, allowing for more air flow. So technically yes, if you are swapping a VTEC cylinder head onto a non-VTEC block. You may see a rise in about 10-15 hp at the most.
