just completed swap, all good except that the engine sounds like its bogged down when the vtec kicks in. also it dosnt feel/sound the same as other cars i've ridden in (s2000 & b16a del sol). anone else have this problem? i was thinking it could be one of the following:

fuel pressure loss due to strain on pump
oem catalytic conv. & exhaust causing to much backpressure
stock intake (lower resinator box & pipe from box removed)
any chance on bad plug wires and distributer???

-i'm a little low on $$ at the moment due to all the costs occured. i was thinking about getting the a/f ratio determined durring vtec to expell the possible fuel problems.
-the exhaust is one of the next steps to my upgrade. dc 4-1 header, Random Technology high flow catalytic, and cat back exhuast (to be determined, probably skunk2, w/ custom mendral bent 2.5inch by local shop.) has anyone had any experiance with any of these products or any coments???
-i really dont think the intake would cause the problem but will be adding a k&m filter on a 2.5 inch pipe (dont feel like paying $200 for a pipe again)
-will be changing wires and cap/rotor tomorrow durring daylight

if this was covered before sorry, tried search...
thnx to rywire & inline4 for good service and quick cross country shipping, & hmotors for busted axle, bent ecu, & nonrepliant emails/shipping problems....

 

you can rule out oem cat and exhaut piping... thats what i'm running in my car still lol.... vtec hits nice, and with the intake the only way you would bog it down would be to pinch off the hose coming out of the manifold. it sounds like an electronics controlled problem... it could be running really really rich or just not getting enough fuel pressure... you could set up a fuel pressure regulator and guage for that.... if you have the extra $$ that is... or try a different ecu perhaps.

 

are you sure the vtec is actually engaging? isn't that approx. when the vtec is suppose to come on for that motor? a simple way to find out would be to just wire in one of those little neon light things (those little dash mount lights that you can get at any parts or car accessory store) to the power wire on the vtec solenoid. if the vtec solenoid isn't working then the light won't come on.

 

take off the cat and run it around the block, that will rule out old cat or exhaust. switch O2 wires around(might be backwards). just two things i can think of off the top of my head.

 

any pics of the set up?

 

samething was happening to my friend in his crx his gastank was full of dirt and kept clogging the filter on the fuel pump and it would just bogg when vtec engaged...so im guessing its a fuel issue.

 

vtec definatly engaging (atlest after engine warms up). i dont know much about catalytic conv. but do they clog after age? my old engine had 295k miles and if the catalytic conv. takes "bad" stuff out of the exhuast, wouldnt the "bad" stay in the catalytic conv??? i used rywires vtec subharness so i dont think the O2 wires would be backwards???(ryan or peter???) anyway i dont think it would be this because it doesnt sound bogged under 5200rpms...chadmasterc, do you mean route the exhuast to bypast the catalytic? hoping its not dirt in gas tank.... dont know exactly how i would deal with that.... thnx all for thoughts...
and last bump...

 

hes talking about running open header lol thats fun to do with vtec especially when it backfires.... have fun pissing everyone within a mile off LOL.

 

just unbolt your catalytic converter and take it off. you will now be running open header. take it for a drive and see if there is a power difference in the upper rpm range. this is a FREE way to see if your cat or exhaust is restricting your engine. is it the stock dx or si exhaust?

you also might want to try checking your timing using a timing gun.

 

pic of my setup:



i may post more pics but would have to upload them over a faster connection...
also has anyone seen or know anyone that has kept thier a/c with a b16a??? i have the hasport a/c compressor mount and everything installed except the fan. i'm thinking i'll have to replace the radiator with a duel core half size (i think the del sol has one???) does anyone have one or knows someone with one of these installed on thier ef? i hope i can use a different fan b/c i just had to replace my radiator a few weeks ago.

 

you can get a 8" slim fan...

 

another thing you could do, with the half lenght radiator is buy a special front crossmember (I forget the brand) that has mounts for the eg radiator so you could put one of those and its fans on there instead, plus reduce weight, plus increase header clearance, and would be extra nice if you ever plan on turboing.... just food for thought