the VTEC head is a hemi meaning hemispherical combustion chamber, which was proven a long time ago to be one of the better designs, so its got that goin' for it..
then theres VTEC which honda started using in there formula one program and then into production in the acura nsx, and later the integra/civic
vtec has one cam profile for making good torque that would normally run out of steam at mid rpm, which it does then the cam switches profiles with greater lift and duration (more overlap) (which would be useless at low RPM's) to keep pulling strong to a lofty redline..technology is good
the new honda engine k20 found in the acura rsx-s has a 3 piece segmented cyl. head, VTEC and cam timing controll, which varies the intake and exh. cam's position in relation to piston TDC.
which is HUGE
the guys are making like 300/ 320 HP to the tire w/ minor tweaks cams etc.
shure the idiot rice boy culture is pretty much defined by VTEC
but it dosent mean that they own it...VTEC is good