Haven't had time to run with open headers but I noticed that if I run the car to it's 5300-5500 "redline thingy" the CEL will come on and say misfire in ALL cylinders.

 

i don't think it has anything to do with the exhaust, it sounds electrical. For some reason you are loosing ecu communication at 5x00 rpms I am not sure why yet

 

My thoughts exactly. Honestly, I can't find the time to run it with open headers. I really don't see that being the problem either. If I would have ever known it was gonna be this complicated to swap to a VTEC engine I would've just sold the car LOL.

 

How's your ignition timing ?

 

I just had a strange idea, but not sure if it makes sense. I never had a 97 Accord, so I don't know whether your distributor mounting holes are slotted to allow it to rotate.

Had this happen on a 89 Saab. The spark timing was controlled by a sensor down at the crankshaft (just like your 97 Accord). But the physical distributor housing still had the slotted mounting holes, so it could be rotated as if you were changing the timing.

The actual spark timing wouldn't change, but what happens is as you rotate the distributor the spark moves off to one side of the rotor-tip & loses contact. Especially as the spark advances with RPM.

So try twisting your distributor housing counterclockwise a bit (as you're standing by the right-front wheel looking at the distributor).

 

Jim - I'm so glad you mentioned that! I notice that my distributor was slotted and it was mounted all the way to one side. I told the shop that might be the problem, and they said that can't be it. I'm gonna try centering the dizzy! This wont throw my timing off will it?

 

Gave that a try, no luck. Not a thing changed! :/

 

The shop probably either didn't wire or miswired the VTEC solenoid. It's just one wire...kinda' the opposite of complicated.

 

Well last week I rechecked their wiring and it was correct. I forget which pinout it was but I know I found out and checked. Starting to wonder If I should just try some different wire lol.

As far as right now, these are all the things I have tried: Tested solenoid, rechecked wiring, checked oil, replaced plug wires, checked timing, centered the dizzy. The only other possible thing I can think of is what if the ECU is just bad. I would hate to buy another one just to have the same problem though.

 

If your distributor was turned all the way to one side then it wasn't timed. You need to get a timing gun and set your ignition timing.

Also how did you know it threw a code for misfire ? What are all the codes it's throwing ? Have you gone to a shop to have them hook up a scanner to your car and do some datalogging ? This will help tell you where to start looking. While I've never had an obd2 car to be able to take advantage of this, it should be able to help you since your car is obd2.