History of Variable Valve Timing

[Soichiro]

When Honda introduced VTEC on the 1991 NSX I thought it was the first use of such technology. Apparently not - in an article from the February 1987 Road & Track (I'm a little behind on my reading) they describe a Nissan 300ZR Japan-only spec with the following engine:

VG30DE "Each intake side camshaft has a hydraulically actuated mechanism that advances intake valve timing in (XYZ situations) and delays it on others". The engine also had a variable length induction system similar to VVIS. I thought Honda was first in both these areas - anyone know of an older use of similar technology?

 

[Ojas]

Was the 300ZR a production automobile? They are just talking about advancing the timing, right? - Not switching out lobes to increase lift.

Like you, I thought the NSX is the first to use these technologies in a production automobile.

[This message has been edited by Ojas (edited 14 June 2002).]

 

[true]

Originally posted by Ojas:
Was the 300ZR a production automobile? They are just talking about advancing the timing, right? - Not switching out lobes to increase lift.

Like you, I thought the NSX is the first to use these technologies in a production automobile.

I'm fairly postive the very FIRST production engine was the 1989 CRX SiR in Japan. (b16a) The b16a is a GREAT motor...it was basically the same all the way up until the 2000 civic si (usdm).I swapped a JDM 89 b16a into my first CRX. The NSX was the first use of VTEC in the US market. The b16a's first emergence in the US was in the Honda Del Sel vtec.


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jack of all trades, master of some.

 

[mdoan300]

90-95 300ZX's have variable intake valve timing. Nissan called it NVCS. It's basically a 2-step solenoid. Nissan dropped it in 96 (due to emissions perhaps???).

If I'm not mistaken, then Saab used a variable valve timing system in the mid-80's. I'll have to look that up to verify though.

Michael.

 

[Zanardi 50]

Don't know if I can find articles to back this one up, but I believe Ford was the pioneeer in variable valve timing technology. But this VVT that they came up with probably didn't incorporate a 2nd camshaft at mid to high rpm range though, ICBW BTW.



[This message has been edited by Zanardi 50 (edited 10 July 2002).]