ok, here's the lowdown:
manual 92 accord with the 2.2L is failing emissions. test showed almost double hydrocarbon than state limit. to go with that, when engine is cold the is a little sputter during any non-granny acceleration (not jerking but you can tell somethings off). sputter decreases as engine warms up. revs drop quickly and sometimes i miss the shift because of it. when warm, revs drop much much slower like its lazy (FYI its my first manual). car has also sat through a winter outside with maybe only one start. i drove the car for about 4 months now, so its not old gas/oil. both have been fresh and i've used premium and it makes a knock so i use regular mostly.
im looking for as many ideas to get this car to run perfect and im willing to do just about anything and try to do it myself.
things already done:
injector cleaners: Guaranteed to Pass (missed by .02

), SeaFoam, ethanol
new PCV valve
new o2 sensor (only has one that i can tell)
cat is new from just before it was stored
new spark plugs gapped to spec
distributor cap/rotor is almost new (not worn, but i cleaned it up with a small brush)
intake/exhaust valve adjustment to .010"/.012" respectively
fresh oil/gas
new radiator/coolant (old one had a hole)
things planned:
new fuel filter
new fuel pressure regulator
refurb injectors (please tell me your experience with refurbs, should i get new?)
replace knocking intake rocker
clean fuel system with acetone
clean oil pan/screen and acetone the oil paths into the topside of the head (i suspect a dirty path killed that rocker)
any other ideas guys?
i think a combination of a leaky injector and clogged filter could be a cause of the sputter and quick drop in rev when cold and slow drop when hot. im just looking for as many ideas as possible.
FYI - while i had the valve cover off, it wasnt all sludgy and black in there, just a golden brown color in most places which doesnt seem bad for an engine that old.