When cold everything is great.
once the car warms up, I can't drive in 3-5 under 3k rpm's without the car sputtering.
You can either accelerate or slow down, but it won't take hold speed under 3k rpm's.

Yes this is the VTEC-E with the 5 wire O2 sensor.

 

easy solution....YANK that motor out.

 

This is not a helpful option.

 

any check engine lights?

Could be spark related like a distributor cap or plugs and wires.

 

sounds to me like you're just going into lean burn and confusing it with a problem. i could be completely wrong but my 92 vx is similar to what you describe.

 

there are not enough Z1's on the road anymore, please let it be a survivor.

suspicions (in this order due to price)
plugs/wires
distributor cap/rotor
distributor bearing going bad
O2 sensor close to dead

 

Generally misfiring at low rpm and heavy throttle is due to weak sparks. It gets worse when the engine is warmed up and the ECU switches over to closed loop mode, which leans out the mixture. The oxygen sensor can also cause runnability problems on these even without it throwing a code.

 

Agreed. We need more survivor cars and fewer project cars

 

I salvaged a motor out of a rotted out VX ... put it into an AT EX-V and converted it to MT. I did the best I could given the circumstances: D15Z1 remains on the road, and there is one less Automatic transmission driving around.

 

I think he was referring to complete VX cars, not just the engine.

 

Yes, I realize this. Only, I was expressing the compromise I took in order keep a perfectly working D15Z1 alive outside of its unsalvageable original home (prematurely rusted due to neglect by the P.O.).

 

I'll take what I can get.

between the two of us we have a civic VX on the road then, mine became a project/autocross car a long time ago. I regret loosing the Z1 when I have to fill the tank, but not when I play with the throttle pedal.
I also miss the look on parts people's faces when you have to explain that your civic is not one of the normal ones on their list. (back in the late 90s the VX was only listed in a few aftermarket parts store's listings, this made things suck at times)

 

Yeah I've unfortunately sent a couple of them on their way but my VX didn't have an engine when I bought it and my CX didn't either. If I had the space I'd do my part to save what I could as well.