the h23a1/h22a1 dissys are the same, the JDM h22a dissy is internal coil.
The car will not hit VTEC with no knock input, you can also blow your motor pretty easily with no knock sensor connected and by running below 91 octane fuel or advancing timing so be careful with that.

knock sensor is directly above the oil filter, just below the head gasket line under the intake manifold. Hook it up ASAP. Then see if you still have problems.

~kris