Gee, I thought there were a couple versions of VTEC
lemme splain...
See, Honda figured out a couple of different uses for VTEC engines: being really powerful (the initial use), and being really efficient (which came along next). The Civic HX, for example is really a VTEC-E (Efficiency), and is tuned for outstanding gas mileage. As the years progressed, Honda decided to tune a VTEC engine to be somewhere in the middle: both efficient and relatively powerful. This "mixed" VTEC is the one that has found it's way into the Accords, some Civics, and the Acura CL. Most VTECs are SOHC (or "Single Over Head Camshaft"), only the DOHC ("Dual Over Head Camshaft") VTEC engines are truly tuned for maximum performance. Don't get me wrong, the other VTEC engines are all great too, but the truly "high-strung" VTEC engines still are available only in the S2000, NSX, Prelude, Integra (GS-R, R-Type), Civic Si and Del Sol. ("High strung" = high horsepower/liter ratio.) Basically if your VTEC engine doesn't have DOHC stamped on to it somewhere then you either have a SOHC VTEC-E, or the SOHC VTEC.
Who wants to argue? I got all day to break this stuff down barney style for you folks.