RPMs Top Out at 8k in Neutral, 6k in gear
 

Once again I have an 89 rx-7, convertible, original engine, 78k miles, no smoke on start. Actually today I did have some smoke, but I think it was because I ran it hard the last time I drove it, and the metering pump spewed extra oil into the casing.

But as the title suggests. When I am in neutral, I can rev to 8k rpm without hesitation. But on take off, it goes all the way to 6, rpm and i feel the lost of power as it tries to go past it, as if there was back pressure issue. All gears to this at 6k. Is this a headers issue problem or compression? I do not have a compression tester, do not want one if I do not have to have one, $350+ bucks is expensive.

Is this normal or no?