Thanks MR.T. It doesn't quite hover, as it still climbs, but it climbs like an old man wheezing one in 3 times. Meaning it is intermittent (OP needs to edit). It's not so bad that it makes me let off the gas, but it definitely makes me hesitant to push it into that range. For the most part the rest of the power band feels fine. No issues with VTEC engagement or operation in any other way, to my knowledge. I have seen a few posts on here about cleaning a VTEC solenoid, but I'm not sure of how that's related to this range of operation, etc. and need help from someone with more knowledge or experience.

As far as we know, the PO did not tamper inside the engine. However the heat shield is missing that sits to the left of the engine, which is not a great sign. And the PO stripped the paint off of the valve cover, which seems silly. However he only sold the car because he was moving back to Germany two days later.

 

From what you guys are describing, it happens every time that the RPMs climb near 8000. That's what I mean by it NOT being intermittent.
I guess I used the wrong word...hover. it would still move, just very slowly. My car would still climb, but instead of going up 2 or 3 mph every time the odometer would change, it would just climb up one at a time....Much slower than it should of been. Once mine was fixed, I noticed a big difference throughout the range in Vtec.

I still say that you guys have something going on, oil pressure related, in the VTEC cam area.

 

Gotcha. With this one it's just 8500 RPM and above, and it doesn't happen every time. Sometimes it pulls to redline, sometimes it pulls 80% strength, sometimes it pulls 50% strength. No idea. Going to swap MAP sensors and see if that does it this week and then go from there. Hell, I guess in theory it could be a fuel filter issue, right?

 

Okay, I understand what you're saying now.

The fuel filter is really just a sock style. I've never really heard of those ever being a problem. If it was fuel related, I'd say injectors are the more likely culprit. Wadzii does injector cleaning with a quick turnover if you guys decide to try that route.

If you own an S, you guys should just swap map sensors. That would tell you real quick.

 

Took the valve cover off and cylinder and the valve cylinder was leaking, covered with oil. MAP sensor and VTEC solenoid were fine. Seems to have fixed the issue but haven't tested more than a couple times.

 

Thanks, for posting the fix to your problem. Nice to see the resolution.