What causes lack of performance?
07-24-12, 09:55 PM
#46
I have OEM spark plugs I bought from Sewell. They are like $70 for the set. They are pre-gapped and I torqued them to about 18 foot pounds with the engine cold. This was done when the car was at 51K, now it's at 61K. My air filter has always been clean. I've owned the car for two years and changed out air filters 5 times. Twice with the stock intake, twice with old intake, and now my new Takeda intake I installed less than a month ago. For gas, I always pump either BP or Shell 93 octane.
And yes, Kurtz, I was the one who complained about getting 12/13 MPG when I first got the car. But I started driving more like a grandma and started getting 17 MPG which is about as good as it gets I suppose. I started work at a new Acura dealer recently and they trained me at Lexus and I was in many IS's and I checked their MPG AVG display and most had 15-23 MPG.
The car simply runs fine but just doesn't feel like what it's suppose to be. I guess I'll have to dyno it now once I get my body kit installed since that's higher priority.
And for those wondering why in the world I would be racing a Matrix. I was driving to get food and some guy in a Matrix was checking out my car. We ended up lined up at a red light with a newer Mustang between us with chicks driving it. I see him slowing inching up waiting for the green so I knew he was going to take off. Surely, he did and I heard his wheels spin. So I take off and we're tied and my car is farting down the street with my loud exhaust while his car is making no noise and he begins pulling.
And yes, Kurtz, I was the one who complained about getting 12/13 MPG when I first got the car. But I started driving more like a grandma and started getting 17 MPG which is about as good as it gets I suppose. I started work at a new Acura dealer recently and they trained me at Lexus and I was in many IS's and I checked their MPG AVG display and most had 15-23 MPG.
The car simply runs fine but just doesn't feel like what it's suppose to be. I guess I'll have to dyno it now once I get my body kit installed since that's higher priority.
And for those wondering why in the world I would be racing a Matrix. I was driving to get food and some guy in a Matrix was checking out my car. We ended up lined up at a red light with a newer Mustang between us with chicks driving it. I see him slowing inching up waiting for the green so I knew he was going to take off. Surely, he did and I heard his wheels spin. So I take off and we're tied and my car is farting down the street with my loud exhaust while his car is making no noise and he begins pulling.
Last edited by chi123; 07-24-12 at 10:00 PM.
07-25-12, 06:51 AM
#52
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17MPG for gentle driving isn't normal either. If I drive mine without care for gas mileage - not floored all the time but not like an old lady - I get 17 around town. if I baby it, i can usually get 21.
While the plugs come pre-gapped, given that you're having performance issues, it may be worth checking them to make sure. Looking at the plugs when you pull them could give you some hints as to the running condition of your engine.
A compression check wouldn't be a bad idea either. Nor would throwing it on a dyno with AFR readings.
While the plugs come pre-gapped, given that you're having performance issues, it may be worth checking them to make sure. Looking at the plugs when you pull them could give you some hints as to the running condition of your engine.
A compression check wouldn't be a bad idea either. Nor would throwing it on a dyno with AFR readings.
07-25-12, 07:32 AM
#55
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I would do a dyno test, go do a real qtr mile to see what your times are....if you see ur dyno is way low and your times really high you know you need to do some compression checks on the engine to make sure u dont got blowby.
07-25-12, 07:59 AM
#56
They don't, I was speaking of the carbon build up in the throttle body/plate, not the valves 
. Most cars with higher miles/age will have carbon build up in the throttle/plate and eventually needs to be cleaned to maintain it's performance. May not be in this case, but won't hurt to check since it's behind the end of the intake tube.
. Most cars with higher miles/age will have carbon build up in the throttle/plate and eventually needs to be cleaned to maintain it's performance. May not be in this case, but won't hurt to check since it's behind the end of the intake tube.
07-25-12, 10:21 AM
#59
17MPG for gentle driving isn't normal either. If I drive mine without care for gas mileage - not floored all the time but not like an old lady - I get 17 around town. if I baby it, i can usually get 21.
While the plugs come pre-gapped, given that you're having performance issues, it may be worth checking them to make sure. Looking at the plugs when you pull them could give you some hints as to the running condition of your engine.
A compression check wouldn't be a bad idea either. Nor would throwing it on a dyno with AFR readings.
While the plugs come pre-gapped, given that you're having performance issues, it may be worth checking them to make sure. Looking at the plugs when you pull them could give you some hints as to the running condition of your engine.
A compression check wouldn't be a bad idea either. Nor would throwing it on a dyno with AFR readings.
And I also did another lab the same day for blowby and it passed too. Also used my car as test subject in class for exhaust leak lab, fuel test where I measured the types of gases out the exhaust, engine vacuum test, and that stuff.The spark plugs looked about normal but the plugs closest to the firewall had a slight bit of oil on the threads.
I'm looking to do two things right now. Clean the MAF sensor and the throttle body. I noticed when I was installing my new intake, the plate wasn't "closed" properly. It was closed at an angle with the car off but don't think that's normal but I have no build-up of crap on it though. Anyone got a picture of how it looks closed?
What do you guys recommend to clean the MAF and throttle body? I heard in class some throttles have some coating on it and some cleaners can strip it off. Thanks
07-25-12, 11:04 AM
#60
Pole Position
17MPG? man i would cry... and i drive like crazy... typically i get 20-21 mpg city driving... i get above 23-25 when i go on HWY. Something must be wrong about your car.. i have an 06 IS350 btw.