jim is wrong. VTEC engines have a unique extra lobe on the cam that engages the VTEC rocker at a certain rpm. It is much higher in lift and duration. It has nothing to do with low end anything! it lets the motor breath deep at high rpms. Kind of like a 2 stroke dirt bike with a power band. I have a 2000 civic ex 1.6L VTEC with a turbo and aluminum flywheel, and it has left many V-8's in the dust! But you gotta' rev 'em.High! 5k to 8k is where the beauty is!