Hi everyone,

My names Josh, I'm new to your forum. I was looking for some help or advice with my 03 z. I've been experiencing sluggish throttle response for over a year now. When the car isn't warm that's when its at the worst, if I punch it the RPMs sit there for quarter second and lag, then take off. Its not near as bad once warmed up, or if I drop down a gear with higher RPMS but I still notice the sluggishness. Car has a lot of miles on it but has been taken great care of.

Looking for anything that could help me fix this. I have Berk TP's on right now and that is my only performance mod. Wasn't sure if that caused my car to run lean possibly, it did start around the same time I put them on. New plugs, used Seafoam run through the gas, Premium gas only. I do tend to let the car run towards the empty side, possibly the fuel pump. Any help at all would be awesome thanks a lot

 

well, you shouldnt be punching it, until the car is up to temp anyways....but besides that, off the top of my head a couple of things come to mind.

1) Your engine is significantly worn, and isnt making decent compression until your oil is up to temp.
2) the IAT (intake air temp) is malfunctioning (usually throws a code, however)
3) TPS (throttle position sensor) is malfunctioning
4) The ambient air temp is so low, that you are getting a lean condition due to super-dense cold air. When the car heats up, the incoming air is heated as well, solving the lean condition.



What do you guys think?

 

well, you shouldnt be punching it, until the car is up to temp anyways....but besides that, off the top of my head a couple of things come to mind.

1) Your engine is significantly worn, and isnt making decent compression until your oil is up to temp.
2) the IAT (intake air temp) is malfunctioning (usually throws a code, however)
3) TPS (throttle position sensor) is malfunctioning
4) The ambient air temp is so low, that you are getting a lean condition due to super-dense cold air. When the car heats up, the incoming air is heated as well, solving the lean condition.



Thanks for the info,that's right, I don't just as an example if you do that's what happens, even if properly warm, once I take off its still more sluggish until driven on the road for 15-20 minutes. I cleaned the MAF sensor today, also checked for leaks in the Lines and hoses and didn't find anything. Checked for codes thrown nothing showed up. I drive a lot, and have put on 180k (203k total) on the car so your ideas could be linked to just being older. I don't tear my car up or abuse it. Is there anyway to check compression or air temp? Planned on having the motor completely rebuilt top and bottom once finished with school, but for the mean time just trying to keep it running best as possible.

 

this is purely the drive by wire effect.
Try driving a new Ford Focus as a rental car.. that cars drive by wire lag seems almost criminal. Scary pulling out into traffic w it.

buy a sprint booster for your pedal and this will cure your "sense" of power loss, albeit it is only your sense of which as this ads no power... but then again, perception IS reality.
Hence the booster "works".

 

Right on, so what does the Sprint booster actually do? If there is something like my motor is worn down or compression is off, does it just make the throttle response better even if there is less power due to the "old factor"?

 

nope, you should check all the basics.. but what youre saying is common.. " i push pedal, car feels like it lags".
this is called a drive by wire car and its to be expected.
Google sprint booster.. read up. It does nothing other than satisfy your brain, but its pretty convincing.
you feel snappier and quicker, yet anyone outside the car measuring you will see no difference at all. it jsut changes your perception of expected throttle participation vs pedal effort.

lol. i jsut saw you ahve test pipes, if youre not tuned, thats going to run like total sheet. Very notchy acceleration characteristics, etc.
You need a tune, even if its a canned Cobb AP or technosquare lol.
Osiris is nice. Either way, a tune will not only fix your issue of being lean as fk right now, but will give you a nice smack in performance in addition to knowing your car is now running correctly and even better than standard.

 

For sure, that's actually what I was just looking into. Checked Uprev Osiris websites for local shops and emailed couple places just abit ago. That's really when I noticed this problem, motor was always solid and never showed any signs of issues. Love my TP's but kind of thought it could be the problem all along. Very true, that would be nice to have done just have it run with the pull and response I remember. Thanks for the help! lol Say I got the tune, and had it Dyno'd, could they adjust the A/F then? (if that is the problem)

 

Compression testers can be had at any parts store, or even walmart, for about 10-20 bucks. They thread into the spark-plug hole, so if you have changed plugs before, you can do a compression check.

IAT is logged in the ECU, and you can get a little OBD2 Adapter via ebay/amazon that will interface with a smartphone or tablet. From there, you can log many different variables, as well as check/reset engine codes.

I honestly doubt hes running that lean with just test-pipes, there are plenty of guys who run full bolt-ons without a tune and dont have a problem.


The only variable could be his elevation, but I dont think that MO is more than ~1000-1500 ft.


the sprint booster thing is just a placebo, I seriously doubt most true sports cars, whose throttle mapping is done for PERFORMANCE driving, would see a perceptible improvement. I could see it being useful for econoboxes, or mini-vans, sure, because those cars are setup for drive-ability and gas mileage, but our cars, doubt it.

IMO huge waste of time and money on a Z, and certainly not the cause of your problem, since your car drives fine after it warms up

 

I would try and get tuned for sure rather then adjust the throttle mapping. Definitely, Be awesome if a good tune would do the job. Yah elevation is lower here. It does drive MUCH better when warmed up, but if im at like 2-3k rpm it still has sluggish feel. Except when its in higher rpm range say 4 and up. Seems like ive done so many things to check or have changed out, so it could only be few things. Thinking if its not the TP's might just be the motor is worn down and probably needs a solid rebuild in the future. Thanks for all the advice. Nice to finally get some help

 

NP, keep us posted if anything changes, im curious

 

Alright, I will