i have a 1999 ex coupe and i know its stock with a d16y8 engine but i also keep reading its a SOHC VTEC and i dont know what that means. i hear people talking about vtecs and how great they are but whats the difference between a vtec and some other motor?

thanks for the help

 

Google "what is vtec"

 

The "SOHC" part is Single OverHead Camshaft. Simply put, you have one camshaft with both intake and exhaust lobes as opposed to individual intake and exhaust camshafts.

And vtec really isn't all it's cracked up to be; there's no sudden surge in power when it engages (you honestly won't even feel it engage). If you want a fairly decent description, try the Wikipedia article (vtec is a form of VVT).

Oh, and I believe it engages at 4800rpm on the D-series engines but I could be mistaken. Like I said, you won't feel it engage and it's almost impossible to hear (on a single-cam anyway); if you get an aftermarket intake there's a slight chance you'll be able to hear the engagement if there's no other noises (wind noise, radio, etc), but even then it's subtle.