Loss of high rpms after engine swap -need advice

91 civic 1.5 engine-swap for another 1.5 -same exact motor, just went over 300k miles

4 speed stick, maybe 2400 lb car, front wheel drive,36 +mpg-even with high mileage

the engine (whether in gear or in neutral) performs like it has a rev limiter
-say maybe before 3000 rpm -3rd not even 50mph, 4rth barely that speed
first and second launch real well for that size motor

I tried skimming thru the tuner forums-with a lot of disappointment

I know that this isn't a rear wheel drive v8- i have those too, impala, road runner

I just need some adult perspective on what to look for/troubleshooting  

throttle body fuel injected  

how worn out is the distributer.....

they are available in just the lower housing for about 130 bucks...  you move your coil and ignitor over..

give you all new housing.. bearings.. reluctors, and multiple pickups... so much better than a cobbled together reman unit..

you do have to ask for just the lower housing at HONDA parts...     they will try their best to sell you a complete version.. for a ton more...

it is also possible...  that the exhaust is restricted...    and that the fuel filter is clogged.. or that the fuel injectors are clogged...

pull the cap... wiggle the rotor..   if the shaft wiggles... the distributer is shot... if the housing is full of rusty dust.. the distributer is worn out..

there are several other things that can also do it like a worn throttle position sensor.. but it is usually the distributer or a blocked exhaust....


if you have a vacuum gauge.. hook it up to manifold vacuum...    brings the rpms up really slowly.. see if the vacuum drops the faster you try to rev the motor..  that indicates a blocked exhaust system.. probably a melted cat ...  

the distributor had a bearing was going out.
i got the car home driving all the way across the us from texas to the east coast limping along at only 68 mph on I-10.  it went out a few days later.
THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help-it was dad's old car. it is a back up 300k daily driver to my 315k mile dailey driver civic  

greymouser7:
the distributor had a bearing was going out.
i got the car home driving all the way across the us from texas to the east coast limping along at only 68 mph on I-10.  it went out a few days later.
THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help-it was dad's old car. it is a back up 300k daily driver to my 315k mile dailey driver civic

Pictures or it never happen, J/K. Good luch with it. Way to go Wayne! I had an import lose power and it was a bad cat.