I've spent the last hour searching but a lot of common 'safe mode' issues seem to deal with VTEC or CELs - mine's not. This is on a pretty much stock jdm H22a with virgin p13.

Here are my symptoms:
Overall the car runs pretty well minus pretty bad gas mileage.
Occasionally at the start the car will feel sluggish and I would have to put in a bit of gas not to stall.
No CELs
Rev limit at ~6800.
VTEC engages throughout post 4,900rpm.

These are the symptoms under normal driving conditions. I don't beat the car, I don't exceed 80mph and the car's warmed up as I endure these issues. Oil level is fine and speedo/tach isn't off ect...ect...

Has anyone experienced the same issues as me?

 

Check the timing. VTEC shouldn't engage that early on a stock ECU, have you changed it?

 

its not in limp mode it wudnt go that high. i belive limp mode redlines around 3 or 4k rpms. check your ignition timing like stated. if ur obd1 to adjust get a timing light loosen the 3 screws on the distrbutor. jump the blue check engine plug inside the car. pull the rubber grommet from the tranny, hook the test light to the battery and number 1 plug wire and adjust accordingly so the light pulses on the red line on the flywheel

 

Yeah my first thoughts are timing is way off, bad plugs, or a plugged cat!

 

I first thought it was either bad EGR or bad ECU; now I'm thinking it does sound a bit like timing but I don't think it would run so well with bad timing would it?

And I thought it was running some limp base map because when I searched threads with similar rev limits at 6800 they claimed to be in safe/limp mode.

 

up

 

Trying to find another ecu.. but meanwhile any other LOGICAL thoughts?