Civinfo - View Single Post - Choices First taste of Civic VTEC

jayt43 · 31st August 2007, 14:26

Firstly, apologies for not posting in a long time (and especially to PTR for not responding to his kind message way back).

I think Richie has a fair point though.

For my first few months of ownership with the 1.8 i-VTEC I was, in all honesty, a bit disappointed with how boomy the engine was. Well, to be more precise, how boomy the cabin becomes at exactly 4,000 rpm (in any gear).

Up until that point in the rev range, the petrol Civic is refined. And indeed once you're past 4,000 rpm, the unit takes on a far sportier tone. However, if you happen to change down on the motorway and hit 4,000 rpm exactly, it's not refined or purposeful, but downright hard on the ears.

In fact, I'd go so far to say that my old jazz with the 1.4 DSI engine was, on the whole, a sweeter sounding, more refined unit.

However, with my Civic now on 12,500 miles, the engine has loosened up to the point that travelling at 90-95mph on the autobahn is now a lot less intrusive. It's not that I've simply got used to it, I genuinely believe it's more refined than it was even after 5,000 miles.

On top of that, it's actually pretty quiet if you're happy to change up at around 3,000 rpm. And, what's more, ecomomical too.

So all in all, while I think the 1.8 i-VTEC is by no means a perfect engine, I'm pretty happy with the way it performs both below and above 4,000 rpm. It's just that boomy part of the rev range I dislike.

As for the accelerator pedal not being connected, while there's a clear torque deficit against the 2.2 diesel, could it also be partly down to the design of the gas pedal? It's just I've noticed the 1.8 seems to accelerate more briskly if I plant my right foot on the WHOLE of the pedal (whereas in normal driving, I always tend to use just the edge). I'm not talking about pressure here, but ACTUAL foot positioning.

31st August 2007, 14:26	#15 (permalink)
jayt43 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 27th June 2006 Location: Budapest Posts: 562 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	Firstly, apologies for not posting in a long time (and especially to PTR for not responding to his kind message way back). I think Richie has a fair point though. For my first few months of ownership with the 1.8 i-VTEC I was, in all honesty, a bit disappointed with how boomy the engine was. Well, to be more precise, how boomy the cabin becomes at exactly 4,000 rpm (in any gear). Up until that point in the rev range, the petrol Civic is refined. And indeed once you're past 4,000 rpm, the unit takes on a far sportier tone. However, if you happen to change down on the motorway and hit 4,000 rpm exactly, it's not refined or purposeful, but downright hard on the ears. In fact, I'd go so far to say that my old jazz with the 1.4 DSI engine was, on the whole, a sweeter sounding, more refined unit. However, with my Civic now on 12,500 miles, the engine has loosened up to the point that travelling at 90-95mph on the autobahn is now a lot less intrusive. It's not that I've simply got used to it, I genuinely believe it's more refined than it was even after 5,000 miles. On top of that, it's actually pretty quiet if you're happy to change up at around 3,000 rpm. And, what's more, ecomomical too. So all in all, while I think the 1.8 i-VTEC is by no means a perfect engine, I'm pretty happy with the way it performs both below and above 4,000 rpm. It's just that boomy part of the rev range I dislike. As for the accelerator pedal not being connected, while there's a clear torque deficit against the 2.2 diesel, could it also be partly down to the design of the gas pedal? It's just I've noticed the 1.8 seems to accelerate more briskly if I plant my right foot on the WHOLE of the pedal (whereas in normal driving, I always tend to use just the edge). I'm not talking about pressure here, but ACTUAL foot positioning. Last edited by jayt43; 31st August 2007 at 14:28.