Sluggish acceleration

molamann · 09-23-2009, 06:59 PM

For some reason my Z felt extremely sluggish today. Specifically my RPM keeps lingering at about 2k and I had to give a lot more gas than usual to accelerate.
Got to a point where I just kept mashing my pedal out of frustration.

I don't know if it's due to the weather(101F according to temp gauge) but I have driven in similar temperature without encountering this problem. In addition, my oil temp was only at 240F and I was able to hit 6k+ RPM so I know for a fact my car is not in limp mode. Last but not least, I have not done any mods or changes to my car so what the hell is going on.

Hopefully this problem doesn't persist til tomorrow.

racerxj17 · 09-23-2009, 07:02 PM

i know what your talking about. its the heat. mine has done it since day one.....drive it tonight when it cools off and it will be fine. i believe its partially to blame on the shitty cali 91 gas, so when its so hot out the ECU pulls timming to keep the car from detonating.

kannibul · 09-23-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

For some reason my Z felt extremely sluggish today. Specifically my RPM keeps lingering at about 2k and I had to give a lot more gas than usual to accelerate.
Got to a point where I just kept mashing my pedal out of frustration.

I don't know if it's due to the weather(101F according to temp gauge) but I have driven in similar temperature without encountering this problem. In addition, my oil temp was only at 240F and I was able to hit 6k+ RPM so I know for a fact my car is not in limp mode. Last but not least, I have not done any mods or changes to my car so what the hell is going on.

Hopefully this problem doesn't persist til tomorrow.

Could be crap gas too and the ECU is compensating (for that) as well as high intake temps.

ZiGMoN · 09-23-2009, 09:42 PM

Funny you should post this as I was just experiencing the exact same thing yesterday.

I'm also in LA so I'm sure temps were the same...above 100F. Usually happens after long LA traffic sessions in hot weather. I understand your frustration as you can feel a definite hesitation if you get on the gas a bit after every stop light/sign.

I wonder if a CAI mod would help.

molamann · 09-23-2009, 09:44 PM

I have the Injen CAI installed.

edeeZee · 09-23-2009, 10:07 PM

Mine is stock and I notice that too on hot days. The weather makes a noticeable difference.

The ideal day is when it's cold and foggy. The oxygen is more dense, your car will feel like it gained HP. I used to hammer my Civic hatch with H22A, and it used to scream to let the VTEC loose in the mornings.

kannibul · 09-23-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

I have the Injen CAI installed.

I'm not familiar with Injen, but, as far as I know, the only CAI system that pulls air from outside the engine bay are OEM and Stillen G3.

kannibul · 09-23-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edeeZee

Mine is stock and I notice that too on hot days. The weather makes a noticeable difference.

The ideal day is when it's cold and foggy. The oxygen is more dense, your car will feel like it gained HP. I used to hammer my Civic hatch with H22A, and it used to scream to let the VTEC loose in the mornings.

I figured the high humidity with fog would be bad?

chief_Roka · 09-23-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Could be crap gas too and the ECU is compensating (for that) as well as high intake temps.

Yeah... crap gas in vq engines will cause crappy performance.
Even in vq35. Also really hot weather will hinder performance.

DropTopGal · 09-23-2009, 11:35 PM

Of course bad gas can make the car seem sluggish, but also check your MAP sensor. Since you have an aftermarket air intake, the MAP sensor connection could be loose. This was a common issue with the S2000 and an aftermarker air intake. (BTW, I cheated and asked my hubby about this one.)

zman1910 · 09-23-2009, 11:45 PM

^I highly doubt it will be the MAP sensor( or MAF sensor in the 370's case)....This is a problem that's plagued most VQ engines for a while. You'll feel this problem in many cars on hot days but in my experience it's even worse in the VQ lineup for some reason. Why the hell does this VQ run so damn hot as it is?? C'mon Nissan!

I feel it in my TL-S on really hot days also. I could probably run more laps in my Acura than in the Z though. Kinda sad, IMO, for a sports car to go into limp mode on a track after a few laps....

I used to punish my 350 so bad it used to fill the cabin with heat that no amount of AC could cool it down. I can't imagine what a higher output engine would feel like.

ocfoilist · 09-24-2009, 01:47 AM

Wow, I thought it was just me but I've noticed the same thing. It's like it's starved for oxygen at low RPMs... L.A. has been ridiculously hot recently.

tbonesteak · 09-24-2009, 05:23 AM

Another Los Angelino here. Car feels sluggish when it's hot.

awesomez · 09-24-2009, 08:34 AM

Loss of power is normal in heat, however I don't think your driving is if you get your oil up to 240 in 101 heat with 7AT. I have to give mine a pretty good spankin' to get it to 240 in that same heat.

Chan Chee Hoe · 09-24-2009, 08:55 AM

Well,my country,everyday is a hot day,so never have the chance to feels what is the power like in cold days.

09-23-2009, 06:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	Sluggish acceleration For some reason my Z felt extremely sluggish today. Specifically my RPM keeps lingering at about 2k and I had to give a lot more gas than usual to accelerate. Got to a point where I just kept mashing my pedal out of frustration. I don't know if it's due to the weather(101F according to temp gauge) but I have driven in similar temperature without encountering this problem. In addition, my oil temp was only at 240F and I was able to hit 6k+ RPM so I know for a fact my car is not in limp mode. Last but not least, I have not done any mods or changes to my car so what the hell is going on. Hopefully this problem doesn't persist til tomorrow.

09-23-2009, 07:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
racerxj17 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 555 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 17	i know what your talking about. its the heat. mine has done it since day one.....drive it tonight when it cools off and it will be fine. i believe its partially to blame on the shitty cali 91 gas, so when its so hot out the ECU pulls timming to keep the car from detonating. __________________ 2009 PW Sport/Touring/Nav M6 Stillen Gen 3 Intake/CBE/Berk HFC/BC BR Coil over/Phillips 6500k/Hotchkis Sways/Stillen oil cooler/B&M SS

09-23-2009, 09:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
ZiGMoN Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 37 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z PG M6 Rep Power: 16	Funny you should post this as I was just experiencing the exact same thing yesterday. I'm also in LA so I'm sure temps were the same...above 100F. Usually happens after long LA traffic sessions in hot weather. I understand your frustration as you can feel a definite hesitation if you get on the gas a bit after every stop light/sign. I wonder if a CAI mod would help. __________________ 2009 370z - PG M6 8%/15% Tint <> Eibach Pro Springs <> F.I. TDX CBE <> Stillen G3 Intakes

09-23-2009, 11:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 428	^I highly doubt it will be the MAP sensor( or MAF sensor in the 370's case)....This is a problem that's plagued most VQ engines for a while. You'll feel this problem in many cars on hot days but in my experience it's even worse in the VQ lineup for some reason. Why the hell does this VQ run so damn hot as it is?? C'mon Nissan! I feel it in my TL-S on really hot days also. I could probably run more laps in my Acura than in the Z though. Kinda sad, IMO, for a sports car to go into limp mode on a track after a few laps.... I used to punish my 350 so bad it used to fill the cabin with heat that no amount of AC could cool it down. I can't imagine what a higher output engine would feel like. Last edited by zman1910; 09-23-2009 at 11:52 PM.

09-24-2009, 01:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
ocfoilist Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 202 Drives: 09 Blue 6m 370zT/S/N Rep Power: 16	Wow, I thought it was just me but I've noticed the same thing. It's like it's starved for oxygen at low RPMs... L.A. has been ridiculously hot recently. __________________ Proud owner of a new 167.2 inch, 3278 lb baby Z! Stillen CBE & G3 Intake // Stillen Lightweight pulley // Stillen Oil Cooler // Goodridge Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines // ACT HDSS Clutch& Alum Flywheel

09-23-2009, 09:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	I have the Injen CAI installed.

09-23-2009, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
edeeZee Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: s. cali, los angeles Posts: 627 Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed Rep Power: 265	Mine is stock and I notice that too on hot days. The weather makes a noticeable difference. The ideal day is when it's cold and foggy. The oxygen is more dense, your car will feel like it gained HP. I used to hammer my Civic hatch with H22A, and it used to scream to let the VTEC loose in the mornings.

09-23-2009, 11:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
DropTopGal Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 42 Drives: 370Z Vert (TBA) Rep Power: 15	Of course bad gas can make the car seem sluggish, but also check your MAP sensor. Since you have an aftermarket air intake, the MAP sensor connection could be loose. This was a common issue with the S2000 and an aftermarker air intake. (BTW, I cheated and asked my hubby about this one.)

09-24-2009, 05:23 AM	#13 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	Another Los Angelino here. Car feels sluggish when it's hot.

09-24-2009, 08:34 AM	#14 (permalink)
awesomez Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: VA Posts: 199 Drives: 09 370Z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 15	Loss of power is normal in heat, however I don't think your driving is if you get your oil up to 240 in 101 heat with 7AT. I have to give mine a pretty good spankin' to get it to 240 in that same heat.

09-24-2009, 08:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
Chan Chee Hoe Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 861 Drives: 370z,Yellow,7sp A Rep Power: 17	Well,my country,everyday is a hot day,so never have the chance to feels what is the power like in cold days.

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