Help! - Loss of power off line

[brianmz1]

Need some technical help. If there is already a post on this, give me the thread. Tried searching FAQ but nothing came up.

Problem: There is no power off the line. Car responds like Im starting out in 2nd or 3rd gear. Just lugs until rpms get above 3K.

Car Info: 94 teg LS (non Vtec), 2dr hatch, 5sp. Stock DOHC 1.8L engine except for cold intake filter setup other than that all stock.

Work done: Blew head gasket. Replaced head gasket (head pressure checked & resurfaced) Reinstalled same cam & rockers. Clearances set 0.09mm intake/017mm exhaust (rechecked 2x & re-adjusted were needed) Triple checked TDC on at crank & crankshaft pulleys - all are in their respective positions. Distributer was returned to it's original location before dis-assembly. Besides head gasket, new intake, exhaust & valve cover gaskets and cam seals.

Engine starts & idles good. The only thing is it will sputter (balk) when accelerator is applied until it gets above 2500-3000 rpms, then reves freely above that. Will sometimes need to "feather" the accelerator to get revs up from idle or it will stall. Couple of times had some backfire thru intake. I have played with the timing (rotate distrib) within its adjustment limits but that didn't work. (dont have a timing light) Engine ran fine before.

Short of towing over to a machanic, anyone have any thoughts as to why &/or how I can fix? I'll probably do another check on the valve clearances in the meantime.