Thanks for the reply. I have seen several threads plus the youtube video I linked to. To be honest, I am too afraid to cut any deeper - I think I have already cut quite deeply.
Yes, I have a variator pin (with no restriction boss) on order, and I am going to remove my exhaust to see if it is restricted as well. But I can *definitely* feel the rev limiter kick in, which is why I tackled the CDI thing first.