When did the Integra get VTEC?
The Integra first gained Honda’s variable valve timing system, VTEC, with the second-generation DC2 model in the mid-1990s. In most markets, VTEC-powered Integras appeared around 1994–1995, with the high-performance Integra Type R arriving in 1997 in the United States (earlier in Japan).
Background: What VTEC did for the Integra
VTEC, Honda’s variable valve timing and lift system, optimizes engine performance by switching between different cam profiles. For the Integra, this meant a shift from traditional, lower-RPM power to a rev-happy, high-RPM powerband that helped define the car’s sporty identity in the 1990s. The result was a lineup that could blend everyday usability with true performance potential.
Timeline by market
Below is a concise timeline of when VTEC first appeared in the Integra lineup across major markets.
- 1994–1995: DC2 Integra introduced with VTEC in Japan and other markets.
- 1995: United States sees VTEC-equipped variants join the Integra lineup (GS-R/GSR).
- 1997: Integra Type R arrives in the United States, powered by a higher-output 2.0L VTEC engine (earlier in Japan).
Note: Market release years refer to model-year introductions. Specific availability varied by country, trim, and year.
Engines powering the VTEC Integras
The VTEC-enabled Integras relied on two primary engine configurations, depending on variant and market.
- 1.8L VTEC: B18C1, used in the late-1990s GSR/GS-R variants in many markets (roughly around 170 hp in US-spec configurations).
- 2.0L VTEC: B18C5, used in the Integra Type R (notably around 190 hp in the US; specifications varied by model year and market).
These engines underpinned the Integra’s performance reputation, with the Type R offering the higher-rev, higher-output option.
What this meant for enthusiasts
The introduction of VTEC-powered Integras created a landmark in the compact-performance segment. Enthusiasts gained access to a rev-happy engine with strong top-end power, a platform well-suited to tuning, and a car that bridged practical everyday use with genuine performance credentials.
Summary
In short, the Integra’s VTEC era began in the mid-1990s with the DC2 generation. Initial VTEC adoption occurred around 1994–1995, with the United States following in 1995, and the performance-focused Integra Type R appearing in 1997 (Japan earlier). This evolution cemented the Integra as a cornerstone of 1990s affordable performance.
