feeling flat above 4k

Just got a mk2 1.8 8v on a pooberg, had one the same years ago on similar mileage and that pulles well up to the red line, whereas this on goes dead from 4k onwards. Anyone got any ideas whats going on there? I know it could do with a service but would that cure this as I'm not so sure it would tbh...

all sorted, was the ingition timing out a few degrees, bit of advance and she pulls all the way round now