It strikes me that you see plenty of massive money builds running open intakes so I'm not so worried about sucking in anything bad (bee's, dust etc) for the short time your running.
I wonder, would you need to give the car a few short drives about the showground, start stopping the engine, so the ECU had a feel for the new values being presented? They take an average over the past few drive cycles dont they? Or does it not matter when you running open circuit in VTEC?
And how might it affect your time? It would be one of the louder Honda's there thats for sure

The exhaust would be held tight on its bracket, you might want to use a steel tie and hook up the flexi section maybe? I cant remember off the top of my head how and where the braces are...
I think I will bring a jack and some spanners next pod meet and give it a try.
Or even just take off the manifold all together

just a thought, what do you think?