Noticeable changes in performance?

Dpeters

This is certainly subjective, but I've recently noticed that my "butt dyno" shows a lack of power while driving down the road, but a significant increase in power is shown after making a stop and getting back in the car. I'm not sure if this is due to the 370 doing some switch to performance mode (vague documentation about the 350Z doing ECU changes to the air flow, etc for performance mode comes to mind) or if it's my imagination. Does anyone else experience this?

I suppose it could be a bad batch of gas or something, but it just seems odd.

Just to hedge the questions before they come, the following are clarifications:

1. No A/C or heater was in use.
2. Same tank of gas and at the same level.
3. Same time of day, temp, driving conditions, etc.
4. No passenger drop off for weight differences.

This was simply driving to work when lack of power was noticed... stopped at gas station to pick up a drink (no gas fill) and when I got back in and turned the car on, power seemed to come back. This happens more than this once, I'm just using this as an example.

ChrisSlicks

When you park the car for 5 minutes you get a bit of a heat soak on the air intake charge causing the intakes to register the air as less dense, as a result it will run a little leaner. Do you have any mods? Sounds like you might be running a little rich the rest of the time.

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kenchan

the ECU does learn your car's inputs and working environments constantly so i think it's probably your ECU playing tricks on you.

Dpeters

Nope... nothing done yet. I've thought about a few but I'm a little gun shy since some of my 350Z mods actually hurt HP and I want to tread lightly with the 370.

Dpeters

lol, well in that case, my ECU needs to have a button that says "gimme all my damn HP"!!!

kenchan

just floor it.

ProfessorDave

I agree with Kenchan. Could be a myth, but the "drive it like you stole it" approach is supposed to help the ECU learn that you want more power, dammit! (and sometimes, more cowbell!)

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Bleek

with VDC off

christian370z

Your ECU adjusts to a more relaxed driving style which is why you may feel like the car is a bit lazy when you do the first few WOT pulls. Once you giving it a few good acceleration pulls, the ECU will adjust and the car will feel sharper.

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onzedge

We can never have enough power or cowbell!!!

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USMCASA

i've only noticed a power difference between a cool engine and a hot engine after running it hard. it seems to have less hp when its running hot but if i let it cool down it pulls harder until it gets back up to the 220 degree mark.

TipsZ

How long does it take for your ECU to learn the driving habits though? Say if half of the week you drive like Grandma... and then the other half of the week you drive like 16 year old on his way to getting his first piece of azz ... how does your ECU react then?

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christian370z

It only would take a couple WOT spurts to "wake up" the ECU, this is based on how the car feels though... I have no idea how quickly the ECU begins adjusting fuel trims, timing, and such.

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SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

GZ3

i have noticed this!

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Dpeters

Yea, this was the thought on the 350 as well... this sux because I may not be driving like a mad man and then want my power instantly to do a merge or something.... by the time I do a couple WOTs, it's often too late. I believe this is the reason we should have a "sport" button like some cars do.