I searched as far as how to check if the IMRC is working properly... but I couldnt really find anything, except this:

Now, if it doesnt turn... or whatever the case may be that it would affect the IMRC, that would cause degraded performance, right?

If, in fact, the IMRC is bad (or the actuator, I'm a noob to car parts), how would one go about fixing/cleaning it? Or is it one of those parts that you'd have to replace entirely?

What other symptoms would be cause of the IMRC? the CEL coming on?

 

Yes, just have someone in the car rev it to 4500 rpm while you watch. If you look at where the cable attaches to the intake (on the passenger side) you should see the cable pull and turn the sprocket there. If it doesnt your IMRC is bad and needs to be replaced. You cant clean it. Its a motor. You just simply unbolt it and replace.

Yes it would cause a degradation in performance. No you most wont get a CEL

 

gotcha. Mike mentioned that a few days ago, considering we kinda raced and he was kicking my ass in safe mode. i know the 6MT is faster than the 5AT, but i dont think its so much that he was pulling hard without VTEC. I'll take a look at it when I get my legend calipers and SS lines.