Variable valve timing goodness

[Gross Scruggs <GScruggs@wposmtp.nps.navy.mil>]

I'm several days behind in qlist traffic, and this may have already been beat to
a pulp, but I must add my blow regarding variable valve timing.  I recently sold
my '95 Integra GS-R with the VTEC engine.  VTEC is Honda's trade term for their
variable valve timing system and I forget what the acronym stands for.  They use
it in the NSX, Prelude, Integra, and del Sol... and it is fantastic!  Up to
5krpm it is a very nice, responsive, powerful 1.8 liter engine.  From 5k to the
8krpm redline it is a shrieking monster that will scare ladies and civilians.  

If fact during the test drive for a potential buyer I ran 8k in second, drifted
around a gentle right-hander, slammed third while setting up for the crest and
left... when I noticed my passenger was saying something over and over... it
was, "Mother of God we'll all die!"  Well, the kid started breathing again and
eventually bought the car, although I did have to teach him how to drive a
manual transmission... don't ask.  

But I digress.  The Honda system does not just advance the cam timing at high
rpm it actually translates the cams forward a bit, using oil pressure, so the
valves are operating off of a 'different' cam profile.  It works well... very
well.  That Integra is the only modern car that I've driven where the capability
of the chassis clearly lagged the capability of the engine.

Our high-performance automotive world will be transformed when a computer
controlled, solenoid operated valve train is developed.  A friend who use to
work at John Deer said their development in that area was stopped for the lack
of a proper solenoid.  I won't even mention my conversations with Graydon on the
use of pizeoelectric crystals to actuate valves with a computer controlled map
like our ignitions are managed.  

Automatic cam advance?  It's a step.

Regards,  Gross Scruggs