The AC also drags down the gen2. Ive had it on the past few days with all the rain we had earlier and it was riding the 2700 rpms point for vtec activation point. I normally accelerate briskly at 2500 rpms right before it kicks in yo.
When I FAS the gen 2 I would reach my target rpm, key off, shift to neutral, turn key back on and just steer and brake as needed til I approached my pulse rpm. I would twist the key, shift back to drive and carry on to my glide speed point.
The gen 2 also has an "ev" mode that is activated with very light throttle once warmmed up. I use to abuse the hell out of it when I had my phev kit and get triple digit fuel economy. Even then pushing 5000 watts it was limited to a steady 3 miles before you need to let it catch up and go back to gas. The better way to use it was with a modified pulse n glide technique where you used the ev mode to extend your coasting til you hit your pulse rpm.