Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Dry but fascinating explanation of variable valve timing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/video-dry-but-fascinating-explanation-of-variable-valve-timing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/video-dry-but-fascinating-explanation-of-variable-valve-timing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/09/video-dry-but-fascinating-explanation-of-variable-valve-timing/#commentsFiled under: ,

Honda K20Z3 featuring i-VTEC - click above image to watch the video

The powers that be are pleased you enjoyed the differential video so much. So much so that here's another. Dilemma: you want oodles of torque at low speeds because you must overcome one of Newton's pesky laws about bodies at rest tending to stay at rest. However, once you're at speed you'd like to substitute torque for power. Back in the old days, there wasn't a good solution. In fact, the best you could do was take the big block approach and provide more torque and horserpower than a car's suspension, brakes and driver could handle. There was also the European solution: diesels for torque, fancy-pants DOHC gas engines for power. Or the Japanese method: neither. But what if you wanted both?

Enter variable valve timing. Simply put, without variable valve timing, the valves open and close in a fixed pattern and there's no way to increase or decrease the amount of valve overlap (the percentage of time both intake and exhaust valves are open at once). Depending on the lumpiness of the cam, some engines are good for low-speed torque, some for high-rpm power (and/or valve float). With variable valve timing, the rate and duration of the camshaft striking the rocker arms can be altered, varying the valve overlap and resulting in both better low range torque and better high rpm power. Plus, you get the advantage of increased mileage throughout the power band (if you like). Nifty -- but how's it work? If you'd like to know, make the jump and watch the video.

Continue reading VIDEO: Dry but fascinating explanation of variable valve timing

VIDEO: Dry but fascinating explanation of variable valve timing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cam lobesCamLobesCamshaft LobesCamshaftLobesCamshaftsExhaust ValvesExhaustValvesIntake ValvesIntakeValvesRocker ArmsRockerArmsValve FloatValve OverlapValveFloatValveOverlapVariable-Valve TimingVariable-valveTimingVTECVVTSun, 09 Aug 2009 18:23:00 EST<![CDATA[The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-all-wheel-drive-mini-has-arrived-sorta-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-all-wheel-drive-mini-has-arrived-sorta-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-all-wheel-drive-mini-has-arrived-sorta-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Mini Tec AWD Mini - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you want a chunky Mini CUV, you don't need to wait for the Mini Countryman - you can have this Frankenstein'd love child of a vintage Mini and a Honda engine and all-wheel drive powertrain instead. The folks at Mini Tec have bolted a Honda B20 engine up front, and then they went and built a custom subframe to house all-wheel-drive gubbins blagged from a CR-V.

The result is a stripped-out, widened Mini that rockets off the line and can even do tricks in the snow on Yokohama slicks. If you're interested in buying one, you need to provide the Honda guts and Miata parts - and the Mini. The rest - the custom fabricated subframe, body panels and A-arm suspension will run you $2,695. Check out the high-res gallery below and a video after the jump.


Gallery: Mini Tec AWD Mini


[Source: Super Fast Minis via Speedhunters]

Continue reading The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO]

The all-wheel drive Mini has arrived... sorta [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketawdb20b20 engineB20EnginecooperCR-Vhatchbackhonda all-wheel driveHonda B20honda b20 engineHonda CR-VHondaAll-wheelDriveHondaB20HondaB20EngineHondaCr-vminimini coopermini tecMiniCooperMiniTectunervtecTue, 28 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Acura TSX]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/spy-shots-acura-tsx/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/spy-shots-acura-tsx/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/spy-shots-acura-tsx/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's handy to work next door to Honda's US Headquarters if your goal is to snag pictures of future models. A user from the Temple of VTEC forums named Tyson grabbed a couple shots of what's believed to be the 2009 Acura TSX. He'd been seeing the silver sedan for a few days, and was finally able to think quickly and grab the camera phone. What we know as the Acura TSX is the rest of the world's Honda Accord. Being their bread and butter sedan, Honda's not gone out on a limb here, but what we can make out is a pleasing evolution from the current TSX/Euro Accord. Having experienced the cavernous new Accord, we find the TSX a bit more "right-sized" when you think in terms of sports sedans. Hopefully, sporty moves will be delivered by Honda's SH-AWD hardware, with the RDX's turbo-fed mill providing the twist -- at least that's what we're praying for. Production is expected to start later this year.

[Source: VTEC.net]

Spy Shots: Acura TSX originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009accordacuraeurohondaphotopictureshotspytsxvtecTue, 05 Feb 2008 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Huey Lewis! Michael J. Fox! Integra?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/09/video-huey-lewis-michael-j-fox-integra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/09/video-huey-lewis-michael-j-fox-integra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/09/video-huey-lewis-michael-j-fox-integra/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Here it is folks, the ethos of at least the second half of the 1980s, neatly encapsulated in 30 seconds. This 1989 home-market commercial launching the DOHC VTEC engine in the Honda Integra plays up the American appeal baked into the car. Badged as an Acura here in the States, the Integra was cementing the reputation of Honda's upmarket rides in a market that still viewed Honda as a maker of economical, inexpensive cars. The bludgeon-y juxtaposition of an Integra zipping around and Alex P. Keaton Michael J. Fox doing backflips tells you how elated the Integra is supposed to make you feel, but this commercial just makes us feel old. From the opening chord stabs on the Yamaha DX7 to the Huey Lewis soundtrack, this little spot brings 1989 flooding back with a veangance. Many a sunny summer afternoon was whiled away cruising the bike lane with a mongrel Diamondback Viper picked from the trash and resurrected. Integras were starting to get noticed as cars enthusiasts could love, and being junior enthusiasts, we took notice when one motored by. They look especially good when sunset is near, on a winding road dappled with golden sunlight. Ahh, memories - white or red are particulary striking, too. What's nice to see is that MJF could handle something other than a DeLorean, but we still want to know, "hey kid, what's with the life preserver?"

Check the video after the jump.

[Source: Winding Road]

Continue reading VIDEO: Huey Lewis! Michael J. Fox! Integra?

VIDEO: Huey Lewis! Michael J. Fox! Integra? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1980s198980sacuraadvertisingcommercialhondaintegramichael j foxMichaelJFoxtvvtecThu, 09 Aug 2007 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a madder world: Mid-engine RWD Integra GSR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/28/its-a-madder-world-mid-engine-rwd-integra-gsr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/28/its-a-madder-world-mid-engine-rwd-integra-gsr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/28/its-a-madder-world-mid-engine-rwd-integra-gsr/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There once was a man named Dave who had a '91 NSX and loved it. The problem was it cost too much to maintain, and he was petrified of the car receiving the slightest nick. When the money and the angst got too much, after 1,800 miles, he got rid of it. The car he replaced it with is far, far more interesting: a mid-engined RWD mash-up of a 97 Prelude VTEC and 94 Integra GSR.

His only goal was to build a car that rode and handled well with decent performance. Call it an NSX that wouldn't slaughter the piggy bank and that can be parked in a mall lot without its owner breaking into a sweat. After two months of R&D, the Frankenstein began. Dave doesn't give exact numbers but does indicate a budget of $10K, a total weight of 2,700 lbs, and 45/55 weight distribution.

Check out the link for finished pictures, and you can read the entire conversion story with pics written by Dave himself here.

[Source: Team Integra]

It's a madder world: Mid-engine RWD Integra GSR originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2007 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuragsrintegramid-enginepreludevtecMon, 28 May 2007 08:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda reveals the Advanced VTEC engine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/honda-reveals-the-advanced-vtec-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/honda-reveals-the-advanced-vtec-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/honda-reveals-the-advanced-vtec-engine/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Honda's engineers have been busily figuring out how to make their VTEC engine better, and today the auto giant released the first details about the next-generation powerplant, which they're calling Advanced VTEC. Honda says it plans to have the new engine in a production car within the next three years.

Torquier at all speeds, the engine also sets the valves for low lift and early closure at lower load levels, which boosts fuel economy to the tune of 13% over the current 2.4L i-VTEC when the engine is equipped with the proper intake bits. In addition to being punchier and more economical, the engine is cleaner-burning as well, garnering a LEV2-ULEV emissions rating.

This is good news. While research and implementation of the various alternative fuel and propulsion solutions is most welcome, there's a lot to be said for the regular, economical four-cylinder gasoline engine. If Honda is on the verge of producing a four with power, more torque (hooray!), better fuel economy and cleaner emissions, the Advanced VTEC is going to be a highly attractive alternative to the alternatives.

(Additional photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda reveals the Advanced VTEC engine

Honda reveals the Advanced VTEC engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced vtecAdvancedVtecnew vtecNewVtecnext-gen vtecnext-generation vtecNext-generationVtecNext-genVtecvtecMon, 25 Sep 2006 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Snagged! 2007 Honda CR-V]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/snagged-2007-honda-cr-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/snagged-2007-honda-cr-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/07/snagged-2007-honda-cr-v/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Those rev-hungry Hondaheads over at the Temple of VTEC have persuaded spyshooter Brenda Priddy to part with a couple of images of the 2007 Honda CR-V, giving readers the best look yet at the popular crossover's pending replacement.

The glimpses show a vehicle remarkably similar to that of a rendering we showed you a few days ago. Even more car-like in execution than the outgoing CR-V, the mule in the photos does away with the rear-mounted spare, which will likely improve repair costs in rear-enders, but goes some way toward making the new model look exceedingly hatchback-esque.

[Source: VTEC.net]

(tip nods: A.K. Maloney, Karth Manthi)

Snagged! 2007 Honda CR-V originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CR-Vcrossover utilityCrossoverUtilityCRVcute uteCuteUteCUVVTECWed, 07 Jun 2006 20:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda building its first Japanese plant in 30 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/honda-building-its-first-japanese-plant-in-30-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/honda-building-its-first-japanese-plant-in-30-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/honda-building-its-first-japanese-plant-in-30-years/#commentsFiled under:

For the first time in 30 years, Honda is building a new manufacturing facility in Japan. At least initially the plant will manufacture advanced fuel-efficient powertrains.

BusinessWeek reports that Honda will invest about $250 million in the new plant, which will be capable of mass-producing gas and electric hybrid systems. Automotive News adds clean diesels and a new-generation VTEC conventional engine to the likely production mix, with the VTEC and Honda's new V10 (destined for the NSX replacement) as the planned first production lines for the plant.

Honda building its first Japanese plant in 30 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Mar 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enginehondahybridjapanv10vtecSun, 12 Mar 2006 12:00:00 EST