I think I was number 7 in your combined list.
That first time, they replaced cam gear sensor or cam gear (was hard to get good detail) on one head.
Problem returned around 1700 miles.
They replaced the same bits on the other head, then were able to reproduce the problem again.
Finally replaced my ECU after getting the wrong part air freighted from Japan. Apparently the ECU for manual and for automatic are not interchangeable.
About three days the first time, and just shy of three weeks this time.
I sacrificed some rubber to the Gods of Hooning on the way home to try to appease them. This car is stupid easy to have fun with on cloverleaf onramps.
I suppose it's possible that a bad batch of cam gear sensors can send an unrecognized signal to the ECU. Could that cause permanent damage to an ECU over time? Is the software fix from the school of We'll Just Ignore That Odd Sensor And Mask Those Alerts? I'm just glad to be out of that loaner Civic sedan in Rental Special trim level.
Oh, and my VIN's a 7067xx.