I have a MY06 S. I've had her for about 3 weeks now and have logged just over 900 miles. I was very careful (methodical) during the break-in period (first 600 miles). I didn't take her above 5500 rpms (as per the owner's manual). I spent a lot of time taking her up to around 5500 and then letting her decelerate on her own, and then repeating the process over and over. After reaching the 600 mile milestone, I slowly begin to rev her higher. Up until yesterday I hadn't taken her above 7K. Last night, on my way home from work, I "opened her up a little bit" at took her to 7800 in 2nd gear. Car felt good, but I wasn't left with a feeling like "dang, the she is a monster from 7-8K". The VTEC is also pretty quiet.

Anyways, this morning I was on my way to work and some guy in a TSX was riding my rear bumper. Really freaking annoying. We had just turned left onto a "highway", I shifted to second gear and ended up taking her to redline. Needless to say the guy in the TSX was no-where to be found. This was the first time I actually took her to redline. Since buying her I've wonder what happens with the tach when you take her to redline. As I took her to redline in 2nd gear, and went to shift into 3rd gear, I noticed the tach flash. Is this what happens when you take the car to redline?

 

Yes

 

The flash is basically a warning for you to shift b/c you've gone into the "redzone", at least on the AP1's, 3 flashed and you hit rev-limiter. Nothing to worry about

 

If redline is 8K, what is the fuel cut-off set at?

 

Yep. Don't be afraid to thrash the motor after it's warmed up. It can take it all day long, trust me.

 

8200rpm is fuel cut and I take my car to that rpm regularly.

 

If thrashing = taking the car to redline often then I totally agree. Pretty much all Honda engines are built to be rev happy.

How long (mileage wise) should I wait before I launch the car (infamous 6K launch)?

 

There is no mileage recommendation for that because it will damage your car, or at least accelerate diff/tranny/clutch wear regardless of miles. If you are realistic about what you are doing to your drivetrain, then go for it, but eventually it will come back to bite you. Launching every once in a while isn't going to kill the car, but I'd avoid doing it on a daily/weekly basis for sure.

 

The degree that the "monster" presents itself is directly proportional to the rate and depth of throttle pedal operation. Applying WOT (wide open throttle) quickly will give you a much more pronounced "monster" and a more dramatic VTEC engagement.
If you are going up to redline gradually and moderately, you are missing the point.

 

@8K the redline will flash.....after the 3rd flash you will hit fuel cut off..

If you can manage to shift after a couple of flashes your golden. If you wait too long you will find yourself jerking vigorously due to the cut off.

Most of the time I just shift at redline but on a few occasions I've let it blink.