variable valve timing

[crazy legs]

How is it better/different from the normal system? Thanks.

[alvin100]

Much of an engines performance characteristics comes from the camshaft profile (the shape of the lump on the cam) Things like the hight of the cam lobe, and the ramp angles affect how an engine performs, a mild cam profile will give modest performance and low down power, a very peaky cam will give more power and higher revs. The Variable Valve systems try to give the best of both worlds, good low down power with economy but a high revving engine that can give lots of top end power, Hence the reason that cars like the Civic type R can rev to silly limits like 8500rpm.

Obviously its a complex subject but hope this helps