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Old Jun 19, 2003 | 12:21 PM
  #1  
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Default VVTI Question

When I test drove a TL Type S before buying my 99 GS400, the salesman told me that the VVTI only kicks in above a certain temperature, so we cruised around a bit before he told me to really open it up.

Has anyone heard of such a thing? If true, would that also apply to my GS400? I know that in general one shouldn't stomp on the gas of a cold car, but wondered if you're really limited by the VVTI?

-Russell
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Old Jun 19, 2003 | 06:49 PM
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Your salesman is an idiot. It's always on. Vtec is the RPM dependent one.
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Old Jun 21, 2003 | 01:39 PM
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Some salesmen are just plain retarded.
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Old Jun 22, 2003 | 08:33 AM
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Hi
I think you mis-read what RJA400 was saying and got RPM's mixed up with temperature

the salesman told me that the VVTI only kicks in above a certain temperature
The VVTI mechanism works right across the RPM range unnlike the old VTEC system on Honda's which only worked once a certain RPM had been reached. Anyways, I think the salesman was wrong cos the VVTI can adjust the timing for easier starting and idling when the engine is cold. Still no excuse to whip a cold engine though-think about those poor piston rings and bearings...ouch.
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Old Jun 27, 2003 | 07:53 PM
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Take her to the zoo - retarded!
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Old Jul 9, 2003 | 11:19 AM
  #6  
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Actually, the salesperson is correct in a way. My 99 LS400 will NOT go to max RPM if just left in drive when the engine is cold. This is a safety feature built into the ECU to prevent cold engine damage. All engines have clearances designed to allow to minimal tolerances when the various metals reach operating temperatures. Below these temps the metals have more "slop" in them and are much more susceptible to damage.

Whether or not the actual VvTi mechanism is changed during cold engine operation??? Hard to know without consulting a Toyota engineer(s) (the actual engineers for this specific operation). But, regardless, the engines power is restricted prior to warm up so the salesperson was accurate in their advice to wait until the engine warms before testing for max power.
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Old Jul 9, 2003 | 11:29 PM
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Default VTEC

being correct by the wrong reason?
almost as bad as being wrong..

VTEC work by oil pressure & signal
sales man probably didn't want you to engage VTEC while the oil was cold.
(excessive oil pressure when cold & revving)
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