Ok me and my friend just purchased an 89 crx si with a b16a engine w/y1 tranny already installed.
The problem is..the even though it has gsr cams and pulls pretty good....there is almost no real pull where it should be..from 4-8k......and from honda-tech it appears the b16 is known for its super loud vtec crossover and power once in vtec...WELL there is no sound at all of a crossover or secondary butterfly or anything like that engaging. I know the d16y8's have an almost undetectable vtec crossover..but this is a DOHC vtec b16...so im sure if im not hearing or feeling it...vtec isnt kicking in. It has a pr3 ecu which i believe has vtec at 5500 set to kick in.

After further inspection I almost cried when i saw the wiring such as from the ecu to the o2 sensor as the guy used a plain old 18 guage wire which not only not BEING SHIELDED was just twisted on lightly rather than soldered. I did look at all of the other wiring closely but the vtec solenoid appears to have a wire going to it.

Aside from needing a certain oil pressure, and water temperature for vtec to engage, im sure maybe not using shielded wiring would cause more mayhem in this issue. All fuses appear fine as well,, is there anything in particular I should look at and check to see to get vtec working.
Also i know when u do this swap you need...along with vtec solenoid wire, and knock sensor,........a second o2 sensor. Well i asked the guy and he said he just didnt bother wiring it up.....Would the lack of wiring one up have the effect of...(from idle...giving it very light throttle results in a quick pulsation?)\\

Well at this point the car is still how it was once purchased so its a piece in how its running..so any input is greatly appreciated...

 

OHHH>>>>i just searched the allmotor thread and one smarty replied that VTEC wont kick in if the VSS isnt connected as it will kick in at atleast 10mph....welll this is an 89 and i thought it has just a cable..but regardless the speedometer doesnt work so maybe thats it???
P.s. i tried putting what appeared to be the speedometer cable into the designated part on the bseries tranny but it doesnt seem to work

 

do you have a check light,

 

good question i never tested my vtec after hooking my engine up although i did wire it in, i do not think that the speedometer has anything to do with the vtec its all in your ecu, however if mine does work, i have no check engine lights and i DO NOT feel a pull anywhere between 4k and 8k ill give you a bump

And yes for the vtec to work you need to wire up the solnoid, oil pressure, knock sensor and the 2nd o2 sensor, check the FAQ at the top and go to the b series section there is a guide in there that shows you where to wire them to your ecu

 

damm mine is a very loud Vtec at 5500 Rpm