does the secondary o2 sensor affect how the vtec kicks in... does the amount of gas the o2 sensor senses cause the vtec not kick in as hard?

 

The secondary O2 sensor is only there to confirm to the ECU that the catalytic converter is functioning.

VTEC is not supposed to kick in hard, it is supposed to be a smooth transition. There is also no adjustability (not manually or electronically) of VTEC's impact on the engine... VTEC is either engaged or disengaged. The only two things about VTEC that are controlled are the RPM engagement point, and whether or not VTEC will engage or not (certain check engine light scenarios cause the ECU to disable VTEC). These are controlled by the ECU.

Please watch the video linked to in this sticky.
https://www.hondacivicforum.com/foru...ead.php?t=7777

 

Buried in the post above is your answer: whenever the CEL is on for any reason, don't expect the VTEC to work.

 

the cel isn't on... i don't feel vtec kicked in when i am in 1st gear... but in 2nd and 3rd i can feel it...