civic problems please help
 

i have a 2002 civic 1.7 vtec, first and second gear will exceed 4000 rpms any other gear it seems to act like it has a stutter box at 4000 rpms.if u are driving and turn off the ignition switch and turn it back on then i will exceed 4000 rpms then it will kick back and stutter at 4000 rpms
it is throwing a cel code for egr valve i took it off and cleaned it and still stutters at 4000 rpms, would this cause it to act like this?