Slow 0 to 60 times- thoughts?

[wildo]

I know our P5's are no screamers by any stretch of the imagination. Recently, I've thought that my '03 P5 seemed a bit lacking in the power/acceleration area. Doing a low tech 0-60mph time test (cell phone stop watch) yielded a rather depressing 10.45 seconds.

The only ratings I've been able to find on this is here: "0 to 60mph: est 8.5 sec"

It's not that I am overly concerned about this spec, but I do think I should be getting better times than this. And I feel that the car should have a bit more power than a 10 second 0-60mph FFS.

Engine related mod list:

• MP3 ECU flash
• AWR front engine mount
• 1.8L coil pack conversion with new NGK Blue wires and new coil packs
• New spark plugs (NGK V-power)
• Medieval crank pulley
• Ebay short intake w/ K&N cone filter
• Reactive 4-1 ceramic coated header
• Magnaflow 2.5" catback exhaust
• Throttle body bypass
• Royal Purple engine oil
• Redline MT90 tranny fluid
• Kartboy short shifter and bushings

I thought that maybe it was a slipping clutch, but I can spin the tires in first gear- so I doubt that. I also thought that maybe it was the ignition system, but I "upgraded" to the 1.8L conversion and got little change in performance. The MP3 ECU knocked it down from 11.2 secs to 10.45 seconds. I'm not burning oil, and I do have one CEL code from the header (the O2 second bank cel, whatever it is...)

The only thing I can think of at this point is either compression or clutch. I'm not burning oil, so I doubt I have low compression. And I can spin the tires- so I doubt I have a slipping clutch. I will do a compression test this weekend though.

I feel like I have eliminated intake/ignition/exhaust... What would you guys look into? I assume you are getting much better 0-60 times if stock is around 8.5 seconds...

Thoughts?

 

[JC-MP5]

Use a more accurate timer? lol

 

[wildo]

I am also running new winter tires. Yes- they are certainly not going to perform like high performance summer tires, I'm not retarded. However, before I put them on, I was still getting similar times on kumho escta's...

 

[wildo]

Use a more accurate timer? lol

...I hear ya. I've done multiple runs and average out in the 10's. Put it this way- it feels slow enough to trust the timer. haha!

 

[JC-MP5]

You're on dry tarmac right? lol I'm sorry, just trying to factor out anything.

You are on winter tyres after all.

 

[wildo]

You're on dry tarmac right? lol I'm sorry, just trying to factor out anything.

You are on winter tyres after all.

lol- yes sir!

 

[Matt V]

There is a page somewhere online describing 0-60 times between tire types. Basically they said the winter tires were much slower and summer tires were faster.

With that being said though, our cars are slow.

 

[1sty]

Put it back to stock, see what happens

 

[wildo]

There is a page somewhere online describing 0-60 times between tire types. Basically they said the winter tires were much slower and summer tires were faster.

With that being said though, our cars are slow.

I know, I know, I know... I was hoping that this wouldn't turn into a "winter tire" issue. I also tested on non-winter tires, and got similar results. I do not believe this to be a tire problem.

Are my numbers not as slow as I think they are (compared to other similarly modded P5s)??

 

[Matt V]

Believe it or not, some mods can actually lower performance. I remember a thread on Honda Tech that compared intakes and they all actually lowered HP besides one aftermarket one and the K&N drop in filter.

 

[wildo]

Believe it or not, some mods can actually lower performance. I remember a thread on Honda Tech that compared intakes and they all actually lowered HP besides one aftermarket one and the K&N drop in filter.

I'm aware of this, but I think overall my car should be at or slightly improved from stock. I've lost some low-end torque from the intake, though I should have gained some of it back from the lightweight pulley. I also should have gained some high RPM HP from the exhaust. I also should have gained both torque and HP from the ECU...

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should look into that I haven't already done (as noted in the first post)?

 

[Matt V]

What wheels do you have? And if you keep a lot of cargo in your car that weighs it down.

 

[wildo]

What wheels do you have? And if you keep a lot of cargo in your car that weighs it down.

Stock P5 wheels, no cargo (not even a rear seat, as a matter of fact)

 

[Matt V]

That's interesting. I really don't know what to tell you.

 

[justanothermp5]

maybe the coils or the spark plugs? only thing i can think of

that or your engine isnt holding compression like it used to

 

[wildo]

maybe the coils or the spark plugs? only thing i can think of

that or your engine isnt holding compression like it used to

Coils, wires, and plugs are brand new- as stated in the original post. I also wonder about compression... If the compression was low, that would indicate either bad piston rings, or perhaps a stuck/leaky valve. As to the valve- seems I would be getting lots of backfires and what not. That's not the case, so I doubt it is valves. If it were the rings- wouldn't I be burning oil or have gas in my oil?

...I am not burning oil, nor do I have any gas smell in my oil. I am going to do a compression test this weekend to confirm though.

 

[Matt V]

Compression could be an issue. Also, what octane of gasoline are you using with the MP3 ECU?

 

[wildo]

Compression could be an issue. Also, what octane of gasoline are you using with the MP3 ECU?

93 octane

 

[justanothermp5]

hmmm, maybe u got some bad gas?
this just happened to me, which is why im saying it...except i was miss firing alot

but then again we have to completely different mod lists, my car did feel sluggish before i hit boost though

 

[RABID_MP5]

did you calibrate your speedo? i.e. a mile per minute at 60 using interstate mile markers for several miles.

How did you shift? Probably best to redline each gear(?) The power's definitely up high with the intake valving.

Using good gas? Might try another brand. Would the knock sensor retard timing without you knowing it?

Does your gas pedal open the throttle all the way to horizontal?

Tire pressures up?

Any chance your cat is partially melted, or muffler obstructed?

When you initially went to the MP3 flash, did you incrementally sense at that time that it indeed was helping you? i.e. the flash was proper