Honda Car Forum

I have a 2000 Honda Civic Vtec. When is it normal for the Vtec to kick in ?

5,500 RPM

for any VTEC engine they have 2 points in which it kicks in. On the normal VTEC engines there are 4 valves per cylinder, but only 2 are working @ low RPM. @ 2500 RPM the second intake valve is opened then @ 5000 RPM the second exhaust valve opens allowing the engine to breathe efficiently.On the I-VTEC engines the same numbers apply to the valves, but the cams shift to allow more lift as you move through the power band

Stock computer will make it kick in @ 6000 RPM

Idiots, the vtec kicks in at 5,800 RPM, in both the EX and SI. And ALL vtec's have 3 cam lobes instead of 2.

VTEC has several different points of engagement/disengagement, not a single set point. Depending on load(and other variables that will determine whether it will kick in at all, such as oil pressure, etc.) it should cross over anywhere above 5,200rpm and below 5,900rpm.