Greetings everyone.

I recently bought a 96 Accord with a H22A already swapped in. Accord trans, modified Accord harness, [claimed by PO] chipped P06 and what looks like a commercially-bought jumper harness. Mods are a CAI, 4-2-1 header, OBX 2.5" catback, cat delete resonator.

I'm having a couple issues. There's a slight hesitation when toeing the throttle, I'm guessing the TPS needs adjustment. It kinda idles low and rough at first start-up since it got really cold, solid at 1k after a minute, so I'm sure the IACV or FAIV need cleaning. These will have to wait until its not zero degrees farenheit to fix.

What I'm not sure about is an issue encountered after engaging vtec. Upon returning to normal RPM, or stopping at a stoplight, the engine's idle drops to about 500rpm and roughens. There is also some stuttering of the engine around 1500-2500rpm, not severe but noticeable. I think that for some reason the engine isn't coming down off the big cam. My theory is that the vtec solenoid is sticking, and only retracting, and thus cutting oil pressure when engine oil pressure is at zero (turning off the engine and starting it back up fixes the low idle and stuttering issue).

I have a hard time believing that its the ECU not cutting vtec signal, or it still running on the big-cam map as when shut off the ECU still has battery power to maintain trim and CEL's. Or does this sound like something else? I'd start poking and tinkering but its bitterly cold outside (no garage) and I want an idea of where to start thinking, maybe even grab parts while I'm at the junkyard looking for a Prelude PS bracket. (though I'm getting used to no PS.)

Thanks for the time, and if this belongs more in the Prelude section I don;t mind it being moved.

 

Take it to a tuner and have them check it out.

And you should just be able to source a 97-01 prelude ps bracket and be able to use your existing ps setup.

 

Is it something I really have to take to a tuner? I'm in Ann Arbor, MI, not the best area for finding a 'tuner' who knows Hondas. One of the things I had in mind to try was getting a OBD1 jdm prelude ecu and plugging it in to see if that helped.

 

Ya thats the other option but it depends on if egr is hooked up or deleted etc etc

 

Good point. The PCV had a breather filter on it instead of a hose to the intake. -_- I'll check when I'm changing the oil filter and installing an oil pressure sender but I'm not optimistic. I still can't believe that a chipped and tuned ecu would engage, and not disengage the vtec. Its a set point/changeover, right? Engine rpm above, signal to the solenoid. RPM below, cut signal to solenoid.

 

Im thinking first check out the tune if at all possible.

 

Which program does the ECU run? I'm down in Toledo, so kinda close by. Give Pure Tuning a call, or Accelerated Performance. I prefer AP(I haven't had great experiences with some people in the past at Pure, although Aaron there is awesome), Don will tune just about anything VERY well. They're usually pretty booked, so it's best to call, describe what's going on, and ask about a tuning session. Don used to own a turbo'd H22 CD5, so he's pretty familiar with what you have going on. Pure is an authorized Hondata dealer, so they have that going for them, but I won't deal with anyone there buy Aaron.

 

I might end-up having to do that but as long as it runs okay I'm not in a big hurry as I've got other things on this car I need to budget money for. I was put in touch with the owner previous to the guy I bought it from who said little beyond "chipped P06 tuned by endurance motorsports in Tennessee." I'll try to contact him tomorrow and see if he knows what program was used.

[EDIT] He has no idea. I might just make arrangements to visit Pure in Toledo and if they can figure out what's up, great. If not a S100 and and a used P28 aren't out of my budget.

[EDIT2] I didn't look closely enough when checking this car out. The wiring is...interesting. Three orphaned connectors found so far...

 

Issue resolved.

Was advised by someone at Pure [who do not tune Chrome] that there is not enough oil pressure at idle to keep the big cams engaged. It ended-up being the ECU wanting to see the oil pressure switch on the VTEC solenoid, which being a Japanese engine, is not there. Jumpered A4 and D6 and viola, vtec kicks in, and the kicks back off.