im gonna make this short..

1. redline first
2. 2nd gear holds around 6.5k.. then after a couple seconds.. grabs n pulls harder up to 8ish..

never noticed this b4.. but it was cold outside and the car felt damn strong.. just felt like a delay or something.. does this sound like the clutch is not grabbing 100% when shifting to 2nd ?

 

Seach for the "clutch delay valve" mod.

Because Honda was having problems with people launching and f'ing up rear diffs, they put the clutch delay valve on the clutch cylinder. When you pop the clutch, it doesnt let the clutch fully grab, and instead it will burn the clutch a little bit to save the differential from taking all the extra wear and tear.

You can replace your cylinder with one from 00-03, there are many many threads, check in one of the stickies for a link to DIY's and how-to's

edit: here is the DIY index..

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108435

 

Clutch delay valve in action.

 

So is it safe to leave this valve alone if I dont have a reinforced diff?

 

i wouldnt touch the valve....future warranty issues down the road plus, i'm not sure if its peoples shifting, but i rarely feel the cdv, maybe i have just gotten used to it, but i always have very strong shifting at higher rpms. its when i'm doing a slower shift, and not so aggressive that i will feel a bit of delay.

 

Yes its safe, I removed mine and I haven't had any problems. I dont launch the car/ drag race, but I do shift quickly when in the canyons or at the track. The car is much better now that the valve is gone.

 

i've read a lot of before and afters of the cdv. but in all honesty, i dont see it that much. i mean, coming from an ap1, i can see a bit of delay when shifting briskly before redline....buuut, when i take shifts to redline and make them hard, i dont feel the cdv as much, or even at all