[Christ]

I'd chance a guess to say the i-Vtec engagement was designed to be seamless.. You could try a standard vacuum gauge (or tapping the MAP sensor's signal) to check for difference in vacuum that is controllable by modulating the throttle.

Wait for a defined change while you're not moving the throttle, then move it ever so slightly, see if you notice another more defined change in the signal/readout.

I don't know a whole lot about the R18 engine, other than they have a ~0.95 R/S ratio, by standard measurement, but the crank is offset from the bore centerline, helping the combustion stroke's efficiency.

They have an integrated header, plastic intake manifold... that's pretty much what I know about them so far. Until the local dealers get me more information, I'm afraid I can't contribute much more than that.