I recently swapped my head for a rebuilt unit. The car seems to be running just fine under normal conditions.

But tonight I was getting on the highway, and I had to floor it from a dead stop. The engine took off fine, but around 4-5k rpm or so, it just ran out of steam, and would barely pull. I let off the gas some, and it finally shifted, really hard. And then the CEL came on. I don't have a code reader, so I couldn't pull the code. I just disconnected the battery, and I'll drive it tomorrow to see how it runs.

If I floor it at highway speed, it'll pull to redline, but it does seem to struggle a little.

Does it sound like a VTEC problem?

I don't hear any valve-train noise when I rev it while listening under the hood, so I think I have the valves adjusted right. But is there something special with the VTEC system that I missed? I bought the head fully assembled.

Thanks

 

I can almost guarantee that CEL is for the tranny. If it happens again have the CEL read. If you have a 2001-2005 you have to pull the #6 fuse in the under-hood fuse/relay box for at least 10 seconds to reset the ECM/PCM.

 

Thanks. The trans was just rebuilt 10k miles ago, I hope it's okay. And this only started happening right after my head swap. I'm going to get a code reader today.

I'll just have to ***** foot it around from now on.

So disconnecting the battery doesen't do the same thing as pulling #6 fuse?

 

Correct, disconnecting the battery doesn't reset the ECM/PCM. Although, it did work on earlier models.

 

Thanks.

The CEL did go off, but a few miles later, it's back on. I'm going to check the code this afternoon.

 

Okay, I just checked the codes.

I got P1298 and P0420.

For P1298, I reset the ECU, so I'll see if it comes back on. If it does, I'll follow these steps.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/showpo...67&postcount=2

For P04020 ; http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420 .

With my lack of power, the cat is the original with 225k miles on, engine burns a little oil. So I'm thinking the cat is bad. What do you guys think?

I live in an area without emission inspections. Can I just remove the cat, and replace it with a piece of pipe?

Thanks

 

With P1298 it's the ELD 99% of the time but with the P0420, having 225K, and struggling at high rpm it all points to a bad cat (restricted exhaust flow). I believe you can put in a pipe, just not sure what you do with the sensors if anything.

 

The P1298 came back, so I'll replace that ELD.

I'm going to remove the cat, and space out the 02 to try to get the CEL not to show, like this;

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/79...simulator.html

Even if it does come back on, I only need safety inspections anyways, so it shouldn't be an issue. But does the 2nd 02 have any effect on fuel mileage?

 

Did you swap a non vtec head for a vtec one? if so what ecu are you using, or do you have a vtec controller?

 

No, it was an even swap. I swapped it because it was warped.

 

^^ I believe he swapped the same engine.

@ MarkM01

ELD part number: 38255-S5A-003. You have to ask for that part number specifically, otherwise they will try to sell you the entire fuse box.

 

I removed the cat, and replaced it with a piece of pipe. I used the non fouler spark plugs spacers to space out the O2 sensor.

It now pulls like it use to, and no CEL, yet.