97 civic has no power and runs BADLY, need help!!!

I have a 97 Civic that I bought wrecked. The guy I bought it from jump started it due to a dead battery from the door being left open because the 1/4 panel was smashed forward. He laid a battery upside down on the terminals of the Civic battery (VERY SCARY!) It started but set a code. The engine seems very healthy and has right at 100k. It had the p1298 code, but I fixed that with a new fuse and a code reader. It now has NO CODES. It has good wires and plugs, but runs very badly, and will not move unless it is on flat ground and with very little throttle. If any real amount of throttle is given, it cuts out and will die unless I get off the throttle quickly. It can be reved up in neutral, but in gear will die if I try to take off. The car was said to be a good running car before the crash, and it was hit broadside in the 1/4, so I believe it did to be out on the street. I once had a similar problem with a Ford Explorer that had a dirty MAF, but I can't figure out where the Honda's MAF is. Looks like it may be built into the throttle body? Also wondered if it could be fuel related after reading some other threads. I will try to get a pressure gauge to check it. Any ideas what it should be? Any help anyone could give me on this would be greatly appreciated!!!! With out any codes, I have no real direction to go in. I am ready for this car to run, so I can get some MPG!!! My GM vehicle is breaking me.

Can't find the MAF huh? :grinno: Honda's don't use MAF's, they use MAP's and it should be a three wire sensor right on top of the throttle body. Check that but it could also be a fuel system problem. If the car had been sitting for a while it's probably old/dirty fuel.

If the MAP sensor is bad, then the check engine light will come on, and you said there were no codes.
I'll have to agree with the old fuel problem. I'd drain out the old fuel (there is a drain plug on the gas tank) and fill it with some fresh fuel. Might also try running some fuel system cleaner also.