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major lack of power

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Old May 27, 2014 | 07:11 PM
  #1  
Captain Pepper's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Raleigh, NC
major lack of power

So a few months ago I dynoed my car and it ran a 165. Soon after I found that I was only running on 3 plugs. Since then ive installed a racing beat header, bhr midpipe, aem intake, and bhr ignition coils. Everything that SHOULD add some sort of power. However, this past weekend I dynoed again. I only ran 145. I currently have no codes. And I've never had hot start issues. Never flooded even when it should have (3 back to back cold starts).

I considered A dirty MAF and eshaft sensor, but would those really make that big a difference?

I'm trying to get the dyno sheet but haven't been able to contact the shop yet.

So, pool of rx8 knowledge, what are your thoughts on why my baby is running so poorly?
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Old May 28, 2014 | 05:50 AM
  #2  
batangisip89's Avatar
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From: Raleigh, NC
More about the car- The car is an 2004 with roughly 65k miles. Mods include: BHR Ignition, AEM intake, header, catless midpipe, exhaust.

Throwing any codes Captain Pepper?
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Old May 28, 2014 | 06:15 AM
  #3  
sonicsdaman's Avatar
The Blue Blur
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From: Green Hill Zone Running in Loops
Originally Posted by batangisip89
More about the car- The car is an 2004 with roughly 65k miles. Mods include: BHR Ignition, AEM intake, header, catless midpipe, exhaust.

Throwing any codes Captain Pepper?
Originally Posted by Captain Pepper
So a few months ago I dynoed my car and it ran a 165. Soon after I found that I was only running on 3 plugs. Since then ive installed a racing beat header, bhr midpipe, aem intake, and bhr ignition coils. Everything that SHOULD add some sort of power. However, this past weekend I dynoed again. I only ran 145. I currently have no codes. And I've never had hot start issues. Never flooded even when it should have (3 back to back cold starts).

I considered A dirty MAF and eshaft sensor, but would those really make that big a difference?

I'm trying to get the dyno sheet but haven't been able to contact the shop yet.

So, pool of rx8 knowledge, what are your thoughts on why my baby is running so poorly?
try reading his post again...


Check and make sure the ignition was installed properly. Clean the MAF and Eshaft sensor, and give her a hard drive and see if that helps.

If not try some seafoam, some have claimed good results with it.
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Old May 29, 2014 | 03:11 PM
  #4  
twistedwankel's Avatar
Doug
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Spring Hill, FL
Originally Posted by Captain Pepper
So a few months ago I dynoed my car and it ran a 165. Soon after I found that I was only running on 3 plugs. Since then ive installed a racing beat header, bhr midpipe, aem intake, and bhr ignition coils. Everything that SHOULD add some sort of power. However, this past weekend I dynoed again. I only ran 145. I currently have no codes. And I've never had hot start issues. Never flooded even when it should have (3 back to back cold starts).

I considered A dirty MAF and eshaft sensor, but would those really make that big a difference?

I'm trying to get the dyno sheet but haven't been able to contact the shop yet.

So, pool of rx8 knowledge, what are your thoughts on why my baby is running so poorly?
I took my car to dragstrip test and tune and was surprised to see it was 1.5 seconds slower in the 1/4 mile from stock. Ooops.

I'm surprised you aren't getting a "vague lean" code. I think it was 171 lean on rotor 2 I thought was caused by an aftermarket cat so put new factory cat back on and no change.

Anyhow. With the Mazda Tech's help he found two bad sensors/actuators regarding throttle positioning and fuel in the fly by wire system. Then he put a hard pressure gage on the fuel and we drove it to over 5k and the psi fell on it's face at 5k instead of increasing for the last 2 injectors. Replaced original fuel pump whole assy. Huge difference. Finally I cleaned the Air sensor twice and that elusive code went away after 5 start cycles. K&N filter oil might have caused this? Because it was 10 years old I got a new one from MazdaSpeed and the car runs fantastic ever since. Can lift a wheel at an autocross now. My car is an 04 bone stock with 74k on everything except the engine has 19k on it and even newer cat, coils, wires, plugs + cleaned intake.

It took us 3 months to sort this out but it was worth it as my car wins again at the autocrosses. Hope this helps.
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Old May 30, 2014 | 01:07 AM
  #5  
Captain Pepper's Avatar
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From: Raleigh, NC
i think it does. Engine code popped up again but i havent had a chance to read it yet. also i'm getting a little hesititation at high rpms. above 8k. so i'm beginning to think its either clogged injectors, or sensors throwing the AFR waaaaay out of whack.

I'm hoping to get my adaptronic hooked up this weekend and maybe then see whats goin on.
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