Ok so this is my first honda, I needed a "beater" to daily driver instead of my rx8 because of gas price & distance of my commute.

Anyways I bought a 92 accord lx 5spd with a jdm h22a dohc vtec swap.
I am looking for advice in a number of things. I have owned 6 cars so far, but this is the first that has an erratic idle. Even when warm it will often jump between 850-1800rpms and sometimes it wont, but usually it does. It did it after pushing it on the test drive and the guy said it was just burning too rich. I have researched this problem a lot now, and realize it could be a number of things, have done the basic vacuum test and she died, so im guessing its not a vacuum leak.

My friend with a d16 civic thinks its the fuel injectors, but ive informed him it could be a number of things. Hoping it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to fix..as that was what I was trying to avoid. Although I only paid $1600 cash so I dont think I got ripped off.

I have put 315 on her so far on this tank of gas and she still has some left so at least she gets good mpg!

Also, the car seemed more powerful while test driving. The transmission is pretty good with only a slight grind every so often into 3rd (never if ur overly careful).

The car seems a bit wimpy in 1st and 2nd now, but it could be me not used to the stock tach. Ive heard fuel cut is at 7800. I hear vtec hit and do a subtle click on (hope thats not bad) at 5k rpm. I have yet to "redline" her (i put it in quotes cuz i have stock tach lmao).

Im thinking it could be partly cuz the air filter cone on the cai is dirty (and non k&n) and im gonna replace it. also has the stock cat, muffler, and exhaust. the engine is so loud I cant imagine anything in the cat being left, but should I gut it or just pull it completely? I don't want to get pulled over everyday but I also want whats best for the h22a.

Im also thinking the plugs, wires, and coils could be bad. Might as well start at the basics. She also throws a CEL 50% of the time, so I'm gonna get that read. I'm also gonna get a compression check..against back to the basics.

But yea sorry for the long post, first honda, trying to learn some stuff and get this little demon running nice as it could. Any advice appreciated

EDIT: the tranny is stock im 99% sure and not sure about ECU so im sure that could have a big part to do with how its running. Its not exactly a "wimp" I get to 25-30mph at 4k rpm in 1st when warmed up..but i know shes got more in her.

Heres some pics:

 

Very nice buy.. atleast a good price mate, as far as being wimpy... u just might be use to your rx8 ;D but as for the hunting idle i would try doing this --> https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/cleaning-iacv-fitv-tb-1844067/

its a write up on cleaning your throttle body, and idle controls.

any reason you're rocking acura center caps? :D and car looks lowered maybe a little bit... But id say ur on the right track, good luck and help i was a little helpful

 

Thanks mate! sweeet center caps huh? lmao jk
Haha ya the acura center caps were from the original owner..this weekend im gonna follow that advice and clean out my TB, etc



The car is lowered, and the coil overs he used look wack! But oh well, it looks clean lowered. Im glad to hear i got a good deal. $1600 cash with clean accord title in hand. 196000 on body, supposedly 70k on engine. I wish it didn't have the original transmission but what can you do =P