I have a 2000 Neon SE, MTX.

I don't know necessarily if it's a backfire or a misfire, but sometimes when I press the gas to shift into the next gear, it misfires, backfires, or whatever. I hear a loud "pop". It's not so much a "BANG", like all the backfires I've heard, but it's a noticeable pop, followed by a decrease in RPMs, enough where I have to reattempt the shift.

I've already tried pulling engine codes, but either I'm not talented enough to do the keydance right, or there are no codes. I think the sound is coming from the intake manifold, as I just replaced the rubber flex pipe going from the intake manifold to the throttle body with a straight CAI pipe, and since then, the sound has gotten a little bit louder and a lot more crisp.

I was talking to another Neon owner a few months back, and he had the same problem, and it was the CPS, or CTS, or whatever. The Crankshaft Position Sensor. I'm going to seriously look into that, but an input would be great.

EDIT: I finally got the keydance right, and it just said "donE" so no "P" codes.
EDIT 2: It should also be noted that I have a noticeable knock on I think cylinder 2.

 

Anyone?