We have a relatively new to us '99 Accord with about 106k miles. We also have a '91 Accord with 285k miles. Both are standard trans. In everyday driving I am fairly conservative, usually shifting at 2k or less and in 5th gear between 35 and 40 mph. Driving both the same the '99 seems to have less umph. I can pull hills in the '91 at 40 mph in 5th that I have to down shift into 4th in the '99. Both have recent tune ups and seem to run smooth and no CEL. Is this normal for the V-tech engine to be a slug at low RPM's?

 

There are a lot of factors that can change how the cars drive; weight, gear ratio, HP, etc....

You might want to clean the EGR port on the 99. You would have to remove the upper part of the intake to do this. It may or may not help. Also check that the brake pads are not dragging.

 

99 accord 150hp is around 2s faster 0-60 than 90-93 accord with 125hp when it was new, with 200,000 plus miles it could be less. My 99 accord has an 02 engine with 20k miles, won't have enough power going up hill in 5th gear @35-40 mph, usually i'm in 3rd gear at that speed. I think gear ratios is the factor here. What's your RPM between the two car at highway speed 65mph ? I bet you, your 91 engine rpm is higher than the 99 but i could be wrong.

 

RPM's are a little higher in the '91 at highway speeds, maybe 200 rpm higher at 70mph. I guess that could be the issue.

 

Is your 91 a EX or SE by chance? If so your your engine has close to the same amount of power. I love the cb7s b/c they are lighter than most accords.

If you have the EX you have the f22a4 engine that puts out 130hp with 145ft. lbs tq.
If you have the f22a6 you have the better cam shaft and ECU tuning. So your looking at 140hp with 143 ft lbs with a lighter chassis.
Honda are all about power to weight ratio. You also have to take into account the gear ratios. The f22 have longer gears so that means higher MPH with lower revs. Saves gas. That was the whole point of the accords. That’s why we didn't have the h22a1 option from the factory.