If you want to feel/hear the R18 VTEC kick it's pretty easy. While moving, lightly press on the gas until the engine revs up to 3500 rpm*, right after it revs past 3500, floor it. You will notice a slight pause and then the engine will sound much louder/aggressive and it will pull much harder, a.k.a. "VTEC kick".
Not all VVT uses the same method for varying timing. VTEC is trademarked by Honda and it varies the lift by using different cam lobes. You can vary the lift without changing the valve timing and you can also vary the timing using the same lobe, without changing the lift by using a phaser. Different manufacturers choose different methods.