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That Civic Si has a pretty good 0-60 time doesn't it. That Integra GSR sure must be powerful at 170 HP. Well, it's time for a REALITY CHECK.

This page is dedicated to any person who is possibly looking into purchasing a car with a VTEC engine. This page is also for the non 'gear heads', non reckless drivers and non racers (you guys should check out the Honda Civic vs Ford Mustang FAQ). We will focus on the American Honda Civic Si (Who gives a shit about Canada?) as an example. I will try to explain to you in simple terms what VTEC does and how it is utilized in the real world.

In a nutshell, VTEC is something that basically 'kicks in' only at high RPM's (ie: above 5500). This RPM range is commonly used for performance driving. VTEC allows the car to accelerate faster at an RPM over 5600 . VTEC is responsible for the HP increase in VTEC engines; NOT engine size (this is very cool!).

For example, a 1999 Honda Civic LX is rated at 106 HP. A 1999 Civic Si is rated at 160 HP. There is a 54 HP difference between the two cars even though they have the same sized basic 1.6L engine. The 54 horse power increase is only available in RPM's above 5500. Are you starting to see the beauty here? Read it again:

• Civic LX has 106 HP and only gets a 0-60 time of 9.5 sec.
• Civc Si has 160 HP (VTEC) kicks ass and gets 0-60 time of 7.1 sec.
• There is a difference of 54 HP between the two engines which is responsible for the faster Si time.
• BUT that power only 'kicks in' after 5500 RPM! Just like race cars, the Si driver kicks most ass with RPMs in the high part of the power band.
• Most people don't need to go over 5500 RPM in every day driving, but Si pilots are a special breed. They can kick a Z24 or a Neon's ass from here to Ottawa.

Are you seeing the light? The engine ONLY gets it's better 0-60 time and HP rating by using an RPM range that performance drivers use. Also, the Civic Si rev's higher than the LX, which means that it eats more gas and needs premium fuel. Formula One cars also can't run on regular gas, so Si drivers are in good company! How much gas you ask? Would you believe it if I told you that it's fuel consumption is on par with a 3.8L Mustang V6? It's amazing but true.

99/00 Si Owners

Mark Gonzales
HondaChick
Derek U
Napalm
cko
SiSean
SiPilot
Xerxes

Hearsay Total average 25.025mpg (SiPilots rating was calculated at 26. Lowest mileage of 18 mpg taken out)

The reason why the Si is not holding close to the EPA ratings is because the drivers listed like to have fun with their cars. If they would have wanted good fuel economy they would have bought the Civic HX. It gets 35 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway.

"I never thought I'd ever see the day that my ass would weigh as much as a 3.8L monster!" - GreasyCrush

REALITY CHECK:

You do not get the extra 54 HP through the whole power band, only past 5600 RPM, SO REV IT UP AND HAVE FUN!!!

mattgent@aol.com said during his recent supervised visit away from his group home:

"If you ran a vtec and non-vtec civic, both shifted at 4600, the vtec one would prolly lose because the government uses alien technology to fly around Area 51 in a non-VTEC black helicopter, and they are really fast and will kill me if I'm not back in the group home by 5. Where is my nurse?"

So basically, in everyday stop and go driving, there is no difference between the two cars. You could drive a Civic Si and a Civic LX and most dumb ass drivers won't be able to tell the difference until they see your Si emblem shrinking rapidly in the distance in front of them!

AUDIO REALITY CHECK

Crush and Super Duper Unqualified Car Dude recreate the reaction Crush usually gets when automotive experts see his car for the first time.
Click here to listen!

Having Trouble?
If it doesn't stream well because of your slow phone line,
right click here and 'save link as' or 'save target as'.

If it doesn't work at all, turn on your sound.

It is technically a 160 HP engine because that is how much power it technically puts out, but IT ONLY PUTS OUT THAT POWER AT THE RPM BAND THAT IS MOST FUN! (I wish girls would out out for me a tenth what this beautiful little engine puts out!) This provides a perfect blend of civilized around town comfort and economy and kick ass acceleration when you need it. As Dan Jedlicka from the MSN Carpoint puts it: "Fast but Docile
The Si sprints from 0-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds and allows easy high-speed merging and passing. The best acceleration is achieved by revving the engine to the redline in each gear, but the car's variable valve timing allows it to be as docile as a regular Civic in town. It ambles along in fifth gear at 30 mph without engine protest."

Dan is a thousand times more qualified than "The Super Car Genius" or me, so believe what he says. The Si is more than adequate for normal cruising around town. Check out his entire article here.

It is easy to look at the 0-60 times and larger hp numbers and assume that the car performs well all the time. And according to a real expert, it does! It eats less gas than a Mustang), revs higher, and basically outperforms Mustang in everyday situations. The Mustang platform is actually based on the "Fox Platform" for the 1978 Ford Fairmont. So if you want to drive technology based on a 1978 rental car, the Mustang is for you. But as Automobile Magazine puts it: "the Si has returned, and it turns the Civic coupe into one seriously fun machine." You will love the Civic Si.

Another note, the engine is very powerful above 5600 RPM. That sounds like a lot to the average dumb ass Canuck. But read what was in Road & Track (once again, a much more reliable source than Greasy Crush ©). "Patrick Hong, Road Test Editor
The Civic Si's smooth- and high-revving VTEC engine will bring a smile to your face whenever the tach rises above 7000 rpm."

It brings a smile to my greasy face! Car and Driver called the 1.6 VTEC engine "a real smile generator."

The reason why the VTEC engine performs as comfortably as the best selling Civic EX below 5500 RPM is because they share the same engine size. It's that simple. It's all about Horsepower! It tops out in pure fun horsepower (and torque at a surreal 7000 RPM! That may sound fast, but Car and Driver calls the Si the Acura NSX's "kid brother." You can read the whole article, written by journalists that have more automotive knowledge in their little fingers than Greasy Crush has in his entire greasy body. That article is here.

 HOW IT'S LIKE ("how it's like?")