All of the sohc vtec engines have the spark plugs to the front of the VC and the oil cap to the rear. I wasn't looking for the word on the VC. One of my sohc vtec's doesnt say vtec either.
I'm personally a huge fan of the engines, they make good power for cheap money if you know what you're doing. That said, when they are stock or just have bolt-ons, they are weak as water and generally lame.