How to Buy a Honda V Tech Engine

VTEC stands for "variable valve timing and lift electronic control" and refers to a unique engine design created by Honda Motor Company. A normal engine offers one of two choices: power and fuel efficiency. The Honda VTEC engine allows a blend of both these choices in one engine. It accomplishes this by using a special camshaft with two sets of cam lobes. The low lobe cams offer good fuel economy at low rpm. When VTEC engages, a pin that is activated by oil pressure moves the cam profile to the high lobe cams for increased power.

Instructions

1

Check local junkyards. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a wrecked Honda equipped with a VTEC engine.

2

Shop online. While this method may be somewhat unreliable, there are several Internet-based suppliers that have made a name for themselves. Hmotors is one such store with a solid reputation. It also imports engines directly from Japan.

3

Check the engine to make sure that it has been leak-tested and that all sensors are functioning normally. A leak-down test ensures that there is optimal compression in the engine and that it is not damaged.

4

Buy bundled components. You can often save money buy buying the engine, transmission, motor mounts and shift linkages as a packaged set. Since you will need all of these components anyway, you may be better off buying them together. Junkyards and online stores that sell individual motors can and do sometimes charge more money for each individual component.