lowandslowEm2

Hey guys im new to the fourm. Just want some input on a problem im having i currently just bought a 01 civic ex 5 speed(em2) and when i got the car the cluster was acting pretty werid so i searched around for a manual cluster for 01-03 but had no luck in my area of residence. I had read on a fourm that the auto and manual cluster were the same, my buddy had done a kswap on his 4door (which was auto when the 1.7 NON VTEC was pulled) so long story short i put his cluster in my ex and now insted of the car redlining
At 7k its hittin the rev limiter at 6k. My question is, is the car hittin the rev limiter or is it going into limp mode when vtec is about engage. I always thought pre 94 cars vtec system worked off the cluster and 94 and after worked off the speed sensor.. im stumped on this one.. any input would help. Thanks