Ok, I itemized what you did to break up the step by step.

So running the injector box on a saturated injectors somehow still allowed it to run normal but over time did do damage to the injectors from what we are seeing you are saying.

Glad to see that the junkyard injectors helped point you toward a more focused solution.
Let us know once you get some proper injectors and test whether that fixes your issue, so we can call this resolved and edit your first post and the title so this whole thread is useful to all on the site.

 

Will do for sure, this one was definitely a head scratcher for me, and I really appreciate everyone that tried to help. This was my 1st time truly relying on this forum. The best solution i can come up with is either A: buy h22a4 injectors or B: send off the h23a injectors to be rebuilt (I've never had that done). Best i can tell from research the a4 injectors are roughly 20cc smaller, idk if that would be cause for concern or not though.

 

if it is helpful, from what I can see, the part number for H23A injectors for a DOHC vtec engine is: 06164-PDE-E00. I have not identified a replacement part number

 

That could possibly be very helpful. Im gonna try my best to have the correct ones. I know a4 will work but still. Thank you

 

I'm sorry I didn't come up with an exact new part number -- it may be worth a call to NGK to see if they can come up with a good fit

 

It should at least help me track it down for sure. I never realized how hard it is to get specific parts for jdm engines

 

OK, pretty definitive conclusion here.
1st off, avoid all of my troubles and start with getting an actual fuel pressure reading. It would've saved me an incredible amount of time and a small amount of money.
2nd, if you go to change your fuel filter and discover its in terrible shape, don't Just let it go and move on. I feel my testing was pretty good minus working with no pressure data, but I missed a huge tell. The filter was trashed, looked like mud water, i cut it open and the element had broke off, rust and debris everywhere. What i didnt catch at the time was all that crude made it to the injectors/little filters in injectors. Today I replaced the injector filters and soaked them in some cleaner. She runs like a top now, smooth as can be.
Hopefully this mess of information will help someone in the future. Thanks for any and all help on here.

 

Way to go man. I knew you could figure it out. Thanks for sharing your resolution!

 

could the problems describe result from a vacuum leak?

 

Yes actually. Probably very similar issues, plus the air sucking sound. One good way of checking is take a small propane torch and Crack it open, run it around suspected areas. Be looking for either it to rev, stall, miss.. etc. Then you're on the right track