Good to see someone else with my car! I LOVE my HX, and yes, it is VTEC-E, and does NOT say so anywhere on the engine. Honda is the most it says. Bums me out, ya know? But the HX is a CHOICE car, you can stick to those low rpms and follow your HX-only "upshift indicator", or kick it up and kick some ass. i can shift from 1st to 2nd at 3800, sometimes higher if conditions are nice, and you can get to top speed in 4th. The 97 HX can accelerate faster than the 97 stock EX, LX, and DX. It also is the only civic with stock alloy rims.

weighing in at 2,200 lbs, this car is fast when you want it to be. The rims weigh a mere 11 something pounds too, as opposed to typical light 15lb rims. Touring tires really help, if you're not into low-pros.
Drivetrain
Type: Front-wheel drive
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Max speed per gear:
1: 38mph
2: 64mph
3: 100mph
4: Top Speed/120mph
5: Top Speed/115mph
Final drive ratio: 3.72
Approximate 0-60 MPH (sec.): 9.2
EPA average fuel economy (city/highway): 39/47
And, yes, the HP is 117.
Pretty sweet stock civic, i'd say. That's why i own one.
What's your mileage, michael2k4? i'm currently at 112k.