My 96 Ex runs good, idles good(usual minor vibration that goes away most of the time after it's warmed up), but I would think my VTEC would have more or even the same power as the LX 2.2? My mother has the same year car 96 LX, mine is a 96 EX. I have 224K, hers has 218K, so it's not like I have 224 and she has 100K less. I drove her car today, and after driving mine, hers is a LOT more powerful. mine seems like it's running 50HP less...

I have new plugs(iridium gapped 1.1mm), recent wires, cap and rotor are in great shape. Timing belt was done last June by the previous owner. I did the EGR clean out. Oil is new. New Spectre high flow air filter. PCV valve new. NO engine codes.

My 98 Civic even seems like it were more powerful. Anything I need to look for?

 

Compression good? Valves adjusted?

 

A vacuum level check may help identify an exhaust restriction (converter usually). If vacuum is normal at idle, but quickly drops to below 10 in hg, there is likely a blockage.

See following video about vacuum testing.


good luck