I can't get engine to reach maximum RPM's in any gear

Is this an automatic trans or manual shift? It sounds like the clutch is slipping or there is a problem with the trans control manual. Have any warning lights come on.

its a manual trans. how could it be the clutch slipping? shifts into gears just fine.. and no warning lights have came on..
dont know how to explain it..

Does the vehicle accellerate with the engine speed? Or, does the engine rev and the vehicle no speed up normally?

the car accelerates fine up to about 4500 rpms.. and thats when the Vtec engages. but 1st & 2nd gr are the only ones that its somewhat engaging in.. but when it does engage its all noise it seems like.. doesn't make my car accelerate faster like it should and its redlines @ 6000 rpms when I should be redlining @ 8200 1st-5th gr.. i checked my vtec solenoid and its working how it should.. cleaned the screen and everything.. I also replaced the vtec pressure switch. and that didn't fix it.. someone told me my oil pump might be going out but I have perfect oil pressure.. idk its like something is restricting my car from going passed 6000 rpms..

Was anything done prior to this occurring?
Have you checked the throttle cable adjustment. If it is not opening fully, you could have a partially opened throttle when you try to redline it.

I had a new distributor put in and like a cpl weeks after that it started to act up and then it got worse to the point it is now.. and I also had header and exhaust put on.. and the shop i have taken it to wants to look along the lines of the fuel pump or something along those lines.. what do you say?

After replacement of the distributor, was the ignition timing set correctly?

When was the header and exhaust put on? If is in for performance, you could have the problem here.

This Vtec engine does not take lightly to modifications to the exhaust and headers and if it does not match correctly, you are going to affect the performance.

Have the fuel pressure checked.

so your saying since I had my distributor replaced and headers and exhaust put in.. and they are after market exhaust and headers.. I need to get my car re-tuned? and I will get my fuel pressure checked.. and get back to you on that one.. anything else that could be a possibility I should check out?

Ignition timing is a critical part of engine performance and replacement of the distributor means the timing has been tampered with. A timing light is required to check and adjust the ignition timing.If it was not done, that is the first thing you should do.

is it possible for me to send you a video of what is happening? so you can see the rpms go and also hear how my engine sounds? cuz if so I will take a video later on and send it to you and see if you can get a better idea of what I'm trying to explain is going on..

Is it possible for me to send you a video of what is going on when I drive it so you can see the rpms move and what happens when it gets to 6000rpms and also hear what it sounds like when vtec is suppose to engage?

Can I send you a video of what Im talking about so you can get an Idea? see the rpms go up and hear and see what happens when it gets to 6000 rpms?

I have a video of how my car acts.. can you email me @ [email protected] and I can send you the video?

Sorry for the delay in replying. The site was undergoing some technical problems and I could not answer any questions for the past week.

The engine is designed to cut off, ie run on one cylinder, to prevent it from over-revving when a certain rpm is reached. This would occur at a lower rpm when there is a fault with one or more sensors so you need to recheck for trouble codes.

Have you checked the throttle cable adjustment and ignition timing?

No I have not.. I will do that tho. but can you send me your email or something and can i send you a video of my rpms and so you can hear and see what is happening when it reaches 6000 in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gr? thats bout when I get to 60mph now anyways..

If you have a link, you can just post the link to the video from here.

My email is :


[email protected]