People get the wrong idea about chips, they really do jack as far as increasing performance. I mean they may add between 1-5hp, but you'll never feel the difference. The only real reason for an aftermarket chip is to tune an all motor car, when every hp counts. If you really want to get a chip, wait until after you get the LS/VTEC. Aftermarket chips dont adapt to you're engine like the stock one, so if you got one now, then after you go LS/VTEC it might not work well with that setup and cause stalling, or detonation. The stock ECU can adapt to different conditions, or you can even reset it and it will reprogram itself (see the article on resetting you're ECU). Chips are really only usefull for engine tuners that are looking to extract every last possible horsepower per liter, and even then they program their own chips on a dyno, unlike an aftermarket chip which takes the stock program and modifies it slightly, which may be wrong for youre motor. So I either wouldnt bother with a chip, or wait until after you get the LS/VTEC. And if you do go LS/VTEC and get a chip, at least take it to a good tuner and have them program it for you on a dyno, otherwise you could actually lose power over the stock ecu.
