What if VTEC Was Always On?

[@BlackthumbTV]

A few people have asked if it's possible to make the low-cam and high-cam VVT tunes "closer" together to get rid of that little dip in airfow, and the answer is yes! We could just make the tunes closer together in the VVL changeover area so the cams don't have to "catch up". We could also make a single VVT tune that takes the best of both graphs as well, which is totally fine! Many ways to tune a car! However, if I'm being honest, I just turned VVT off as I wasn't really seeing all that many gains, especially now that this car is supercharged. Glad you all are enjoying the video, and hopefully learning from it!

[@DOAHunt3r]

Something else to think about is that VVT should also change with respect to load. At part throttle you want EGR to reduce emissions and more knock margin.

[@sushpants]

That was an awesome video to watch. I never thought of using the MAF as makeshift dyno! My jaw dropped at the amount of time you must have put into putting this video together. The quality really shows.

[@BlackthumbTV]

That poor engine has seen pull after pull since I swapped it in. It seems to be holding up well all things considered

[@operator8014]

Mass air flow combined with exhaust gas temperature and should tell you exactly how much power the engine is producing. Based on the difference between fuel usage vs heat production.

[@valian8985]

Prety smart

[@rosskrt]

This channel is criminally underrated

[@aBlandAviator]

Great content, not overly simplified and still easily digestible 👍

[@garrettjessen1942]

Couldn’t agree more, great video

[@hartfordlabs7754]

“Probably means that your vtec tune is sh*t…” lmao, I felt that

[@sargentthiccboi9333]

This is literally the best guide for tuning I’ve ever seen. It actually feels like I can go and tune my car

[@Imnotthefed]

Another banger video from blackthumb. Just when I think it can’t get better you do it again.

[@mikeshock7265]

Love your videos, tuning content on youtube in a digestible format to a newbie is a rarity, and thats exactly what you provide. Thank you very much.

[@BlackthumbTV]

I'm glad you found it valuable. More to come!

[@rlscustoms]

Dude that is the best explanation I’ve heard/seen of VTEC/VVT ever and I’ve been through training of this stuff in the past, you definitely have a gift my friend 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼

[@TheRyansLion]

As a Honda guy, it drives me up the wall when people say “Every car nowadays has VVT, VTEC is nothing different”. Great video by the way!

[@Bartonovich52]

I mean… sure… but it’s not like Honda VTEC makes Honda engines anything special from a performance perspective. In fact I have a Civic but the only thing is has is VVT plus a nice turbo. Tiny 1.5L engine but full torque at 1800 RPM. I cruise in 6th gear at any speed above 40 MPH. Go up hills in 6th. Pass in 6th. Pass going up hills in 6th. I’d much rather have that than having to double downshift to kick in VTEC, yo… any time I want to do something.

[@colinpouliot42]

this guy doesnt like exhaust noises and downshifts to feel like a racer

[@TheRyansLion]

@@Bartonovich52 it’s far more usable but loses a lot of character

[@2strokeFORever]

​@@Bartonovich52L15s suck. Anything more than bolt ons and all that low end torque is why the rods break

[@levibeatson3247]

Wow I’ve had to endure some pretty complicated explanations around VVL and this one video knocked it out of the park! I’ve got a Primera that comes with Nissans version of VTEC (NEO-VVL) and the things I’ve learned (minus the timing, which isn’t applicable since Neo VVL doesn’t incorporate timing on the SR20VE) are things I’m gonna have to figure out when I go to get my car tuned later on this year, this video’s helped me gain a bit of confidence around making sure I get the most out of my engine. Definitely earned a subscription from me! Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@BlackthumbTV]

Glad I could help!

[@ilovehappyemos]

If you have the piston to valve clearance, you could try running the intake cams one tooth off on the belt. Not sure what kind of change in cam timing that would net, but with the small gains down low, and the bigger gains up high from the lower LSA, you may find some more free power up there. This is pure theory and something I've never considered, but looking at your graphs, it may benefit your particular setup. Great content! hope this channel blows up, love the work.

[@h3xd3m0n9]

Advancing intake valves helps low end retarding them top end. A tooth would be close to 8 degrees of crankshaft rotation

[@AstekOst]

I don't think you understand how well this video was made, this is your masterpiece right here, easy to follow for those without much knowledge and those who ''know it all'', it's pretty much a tutorial for getting the max amount of power out of a stock-ish N/A engine even though it wasn't meant to be that :D Earned yourself a sub, awesome work buddy, keep it up

[@TheWoebegoneJackal]

You've made tuning my ecu seem a lot less intimidating, this was amazing!

[@kfpperth575]

first time seeing your channel pop up on my feed. I must say your content is amazing. you make things so easy to understand and answer our questions before we even ask them. you've definitely earned a sub from me 👍

[@josephpetruccio7306]

I love the graphs. Love the “whaaa” noise you make during the pulls. It gives Richard Holdener vibes

[@danielsigursson6215]

Excellent explanation on how VVL and VVT work and how to tune for optimum power. Also it was quite amazing how much info you could pull from the MAF.

[@TheDivergentDrummer]

Dude! this is an eff'n awesome video. Straight, to the point, clearly illustrated. Thanks.

[@markvicferrer]

Such a clear explanation of how things work & methodology that takes into account every variable. Amazing work.

[@xbox230]

Love the way you teach everything, the driving process and the graphing data makes it better to understand

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

Vtec, actually stands for Variable Valve Timing & Electronic Lift Control...👍

[@JasonLuther1]

Glad i discovered this channel. Great content. You present it in a way you can just listen if needed. Great work

[@TheGorillaBiker]

You are fast becoming one of my favourite channels on here, I'll have to try make my fb25 manual slightly less horrible down low, it feels like it's tuned from factory for a CVT, I definitely think it can be smoothed out at minimum.

[@akupehsluarketatAR]

Now i really get to see wat changes vvt n vtec does to the engine and what tuners were lookin for on their laptop. 22mins of explanation dats clear as day. Sub!

[@tumerhorloev6950]

Amazing work. You definitely need more views, all the videos on this channel are great for that matter

[@JFish5]

You my man are making the biggest fucking difference in me trying to learn tuning

[@nikkosoriano]

Sir, you just earned another subscriber. I would say that you deserve even more. Great explanation! Simple and easy to understand. 👏🏻

[@blknightsixtyfo]

The first few seconds of engine idle had me crying almost no a mindgasm I had a mindgasm oh my God Honda I love you

[@vaultofnoah3903]

This might be the best video relating to airflow and tuning I’ve ever seen. Like I feel like I could go out and do some of this tuning myself… and have fun. Great video

[@ncaquatic]

That was the most I’ve ever learned in 1 KZbin video… maybe more than I’ve learned in 10 years of wondering what both these things do! Awesome work, certainly subscribing. Also… do a raptor supercharger kit on the EZ30R!

[@BlackthumbTV]

Check the latest video on this car, I did something arguably better 😉

[@Numer1Polak]

Less overlap equals less unburnt air/fuel going to the exhaust, so yes its an emissions thing but it also takes away from scavenging. Some engines like a lot of ford motors (I went thru a ford school) use the exhaust cam as an egr system by forcing some exhaust to stay in the chamber with cam timing. You can turn the vvt into a performance setup by skipping a tooth on the intake cams so it has a lot more overlap for top end and using the tune to bring it back to factory 0 down low

[@peterparadis6788]

Please change nothing about your channel. This is my new obsession. Easily my favorite car channel. This channel is going to take off. Don't change a thing.

[@Rawllsteez]

My tuner lowered VTEC engagement and yes the cross over was smoother and less pronounced this video brings me some joy knowing I'm probably picking up some hp even tho I'm losing the big cross over.

[@craigkendell5706]

This was a thing that came out in the late 90s it's called a killer cam, it deletes the smaller lobe from the cam only activating "vtec"

[@LaunchBuilt]

Definitely can tell the effort put in this video. Thank you 🥹

[@-Just_Justin-]

As a fellow avid enthusiast, I truly appreciate the amount of information provided in this video.

[@tylerwatts1004]

Brilliant explanation on the AVCS (VTEC) behaviour! One thought, why not bring forward the cam advance slightly so the delay happens before the VTEC kicks in?

[@BlackthumbTV]

That's one potential solution. In the current tune, though, I just disable AVCS entirely as it didn't really have any substantial gains, as we saw.

[@aidanstubblebine2197]

dear god man this was incredible to witness.. you explain things so clearly

[@crispenthunder9773]

Excellent analysis and explanatuion! Ive learned something, thank you!

[@charlesz25]

Amazing video man, this is wildly insughtful. Thank you! Will binge watch your videos now

[@connoisseuroftigolbitts]

I remember back in the days when guys would add a button to vtec this was in the early 2000s Crazy stuff I wonder what happened to that tech

[@86caliente_18]

Yes we wired up a manual toggle switch in the car to the vtec solenoid, and we could hit vtec anytime you wanted to. I remember popping that switch later at like 6800 rpm and that VTEC sound hit like a bomb ! Sounded mean af didn't do sh*t for power tho lol

[@connoisseuroftigolbitts]

@@86caliente_18 lol

[@mastercricket7626]

Best breakdown of the two i have seen brotha ... much respect n you just got a new sub 🤘🏾

[@abrahamsanchez2197]

Dude. I will TRAVEL to you just to take a beginners course on tuning. The way you explain is SO UNDERSTANDABLE.

[@BlackthumbTV]

I'm not sure if I'm a compitent enough tuner at this point for something like that, but maybe one day I can do some videos on that.

[@Zxcbxbxjdjsxj]

Thank God KZbin put you in my suggestions list

[@micahf0]

You’re a great teacher! Thanks for making videos and sharing your knowledge 👍

[@micahf0]

I myself have a Acura TSX, I plan to do a tune after my new exhaust system gets installed

[@pruvengsx1]

Great video bro, thanks for making it very detailed with knowledge

[@dubment]

Great explanation, got here to understand if vtec or vvl is on both intake and exhaust and instead I understood tunning as a bonus :))

[@stanolauko]

Great video man, to the point and very informative !

[@tundadwookee7093]

“Dragging a shovel down the driveway” great analogy! Lmao

[@speed488]

First video I've seen on this channel. Fantastic content and I love the hands on approach with the actual data. Subscribed!

[@TEAMHYBRID007]

I watched several of your videos you are incredibly intelligent and straight to the point and it is what I like I'm a intj I think you are the same. I am the same way or I used to be sometimes you might have to practice with called extroverted feeling and basically it means trying to be nice when you know you don't have to be. Unfortunately it will change your perspective and you can't go back to the way you are right now so do it or don't I like the way I am now but I can always turn on the other side and scare everybody in the room if I want to

[@randomshitbekker]

Love your work. Very well done

[@knuffelbeer93]

Awesome information, and brought in an understandable way. Epic video❤

[@BobSaget-gf9qx]

Amazing video !!! Fav channel period.

[@Muszkato]

That's awesome content. Explain actually everything. Great job 💪

[@joishw]

The algorithm sent me here, I finally understand VTEC thank you!

[@BlackthumbTV]

Glad I could help!

[@herniagaming]

vtec is vvt_L is variable valve timing which controls the duration of the intake and exhaust valves in response to throttle to deliver more accurate power and lower fuel use in low throttle input. the L aspects stands for Lift and further increases the effectiveness of vvt by being able to alter the valve lift to physically allow for even more air to enter in and out of the combustion chambers with an added increase in fuel which is regulated by the ecu in response to the increased air flow. This creates even more power than just vvt at a high throttle input and better fuel economy at low throttle input. Ingenious system that can make small displacement car produce adequate and accurate power and further increase in lower fuel use. Really important system in automotive engineering and is responsible for the cars we know today.

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

Keep at it BlackThumb! Your a great deal of importance to the KZbin car community even with a smaller following. Your style and wealth of knowledge is what TUNES us in. Your going to get big on the Tube soon enough! Collaborate if you can to get your bitchin channel out to the masses!!

[@rjnorris197]

Great video !!! I just wanted to see a final pull

[@paulboissiere1278]

I absolutely LOVE your content.

[@cartler]

This is the exact video I was looking for. Nice one!

[@TheAnonymous1one]

This guy is hilarious. Great video and info!

[@avsti]

This was so cool to watch!!! Inspirational lol. *opens EcuFlash for my SJ Forester*

[@noahwyatt9260]

Brother I just found you and I watched the whole video and immediately subbed. Awesome, clear and very informative video

[@zrwn]

That was so informative and quite digestible for an idiot like me. Thk you for this! Subscribed!

[@oscarzt1652]

20:48 if you were feeling brave, you could try mechanically retarding your intake camshaft from the stock timing position and then use the VVT phaser to make adjustments for the low rpm ranges

[@Callagwhan]

This Sounds Like the Best idea haha

[@kyleinwisc]

These are great car videos. Great explanations dawg

[@avengetupac4951]

amazing content, really appreciate you helping me learn

[@man.and.machines]

I’d like to see a video like this regarding the MAF, but with a turbo and boost added to the tuning aspect, and how boost affects AVLS/AVCS.

[@BlackthumbTV]

If I didn't supercharge the build I'd be all for it. Boost would change the airflow quite a lot, so at that point a dyno may be preferable

[@mattmorrison6958]

Really great video! Love all the logged and dissected info that all worked out as planned too! Advancing the intake cam down low tends to show a nice benefit with turbo setups if they are already at a favorable emap/map ratio and the extra overlap lets the engine sort of "get out of the way" for generating more airflow and driving the turbo into boost sooner. Helpful particularly with an auto car when stalling up. Back to "normal" up top of course if possible to avoid the hit in power there. You're not only changing the LSA and overlap but the trapped volume in the cylinder (sometimes advance helping a longer duration cam not lose as much static compression) and then retarding will allow more time at high rpm for a more complete cylinder fill as the air lags behind a bit but has more inertia near the end of the stroke.

[@BlackthumbTV]

Very insightful info, thank you for sharing with us!

[@mattmorrison6958]

@@BlackthumbTV also liked the 4g63 in there ;)

[@JuanSlowDSM]

@@mattmorrison6958that would be mine 🤠

[@gangamiin]

Love this video! I've learned something and I'm clueless as well! Subscribed

[@ZheikoNileth]

This video has 100% earned you my like and sub! This is absolutely amazing and brings a bit closer the magic the tuners do on the dyno. Would be amazing to see a series called 'Tuning your car for dummies 1-2-3' or something. I would 100% watch all of it and tune my own Mitsu Colt based on knowledge from you!

[@BlackthumbTV]

I'm not sure if I'm a compitent enough tuner to do so at this point, but maybe one day!

[@ZheikoNileth]

@@BlackthumbTV I will be waiting, and watching all your vids in the meantime :)

[@ayanami808]

Underrated channel right here.

[@EvanModsMinis]

yo dude just found the channel today and I love it thank you for the information and definitely will be using the tuning methods on my minis. there just isn't a lot of support for the r50s (by this I mean they just say to buy a r53) and the explaining u do really helps me with ways I could make my own parts or power.

[@StripeTheFerret]

How do you have such a small amount of subscribers? I just came across your channel but you definitely deserve more. I’m sure you will be at 1 million subs in a year or so. 🔥😎💪🏼, you are very informal. Keep up the good work Homie.

[@Adrian-re9fh]

Great video bro, I subscribed as fast as vtec kicked in yo!

[@SwannyRiv]

Awesome video man, you WILL blow up soon.

[@PRZJ91]

Really love all of this, while I knew everything that you said(spot on btw) it’s really dope to see it in action, just like using a Dyno to see power increase from changes being made. I love tuning for this exact reason and watching gave me the same feeling I get when I tune a car on the Dyno haha I loved it!!!!

[@lsswappedcessna]

damn it I think I learned how to tune an ecu by watching these next: need to find a video on how carburetor tuning works lol

[@bonzo9303204406]

I dont know how i came by your blower maker video ... But im in shock how easy to process information you are presenting . I love your kind of satiric presentation ❤

[@t-mo.]

well done man. blew my mind when you said you made your own program just for the graphs of this video lol

[@le.farquad608]

This was a fantastic video, and made tuning seem a little more simpler. I thanks you sir. Also VTEC on a Boxer engine is bad ass. As a Honda enjoyer, it's really cool. Not mad at all.

[@championxxlNL]

Actually vtec is variabel valve timing and lift electronically controlled. So it's lift and timing

[@benchmark4768]

Great video as always. Thanks for the content!

[@gregmaggert8561]

Anything Honda or VTEC related is going to blow up (not the engine, your video) Good choice and content as always. Love it

[@BlackthumbTV]

No no, you had it right. I blow up engines too. A real jack or all trades

[@gregmaggert8561]

@@BlackthumbTV and that's what we's appreciates about you

[@robotman3474]

Subscribed cuz of this video, first one I’ve seen from you too! Make more videos like this G

[@alexmaccity]

If VTEC was always on there would be no wait for the VTEC to kick in

[@moneyshifters]

From one small yt to another. Good shit, keep it up

[@kormysh8]

Okkkkkay. Dude. Yes. Very imformative! Awsome work. Instant subscribe bruv 👌👌

[@shtboxyj8406]

I was going to use this maf idea to tune spark in my ls swapped grand wagoneer. Same idea more g/s=more power.

[@Rs817t]

B and d series motors sound great with vtec locked

[@wailingalen]

Subbed and liked my man. Great informative no bs video. Thanks you

[@pauljs75]

If you're old enough, you remember the High Output Quad4. Lopey as hell at idle, but got close to 200HP from a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. Seems forgotten about these days though, as much as those oddball cars GM was putting that engine in the mid to late 1980s. (Probably because it had multiple reliability issues, despite how punchy it could be.)

[@JHERI493]

This man needs a dyno, I’d love to have my crosstrek tuned by you!! Edit: Subscribed

[@anthonylemke284]

not only does vtec do lift but also does timing not by much but it’s does affect timing

[@k3vinl85]

This was just recommended to me this morning for the sake of the algorithm I figured I would let you know lol. Very interesting video my man, I subbed and shared with all my buddies. Cheers!

[@BlackthumbTV]

You're a legend, thank you!

[@foxisretrofitting4556]

Beautifully done!

[@albertomanzo5334]

Blackthumb got my thumb up. Channel is so underrated.

[@tannpants9532]

I like to listen to you speak. Good vid as usual.

[@AdinSLaboy]

Great video I am a new subscriber and your videos are fire the way u explained it every details set by step

[@tetsuominagi1924]

when I will see a revival on the k24 swapped subaru that is really my favorite