Unpredictable Power - MS3

88323GT

Member
:
1) 1988 323 GT 2) 1988 323 GT 3) 2007 Sulight Silver Mazdaspeed3
Ive had my car for almost a month now and starting to notice something. When I drive my Familia, the Boost comes on strong, and the car pulls great everytime. When I drive the Speed, Ive noticed that if you dont hit the gas peddle just right, the car feels like its not getting all the power I know it has. Is this the VVT? I am kind of puzzled. Ive been able to get this thing to roast the tires before, but every other time, it feels like the VVT isnt kicking in or it isnt building boost. The VVT Actuator was just replaced about 600 miles ago, due to the TSB. So its new. Does anyone else experience this?
 
No, I know what turbo lag feels like. VVT Actuator acts the same way, as to allow better flow at different rpms, which kicks more power.
 
yeah, sometimes this happens to me and i've heard other stories. I think it has to do with the computer trying to adjust, and sometimes it doesnt get it perfect.
 
Its just weird. Love it when it engages %100 as it should and pulls like a banshee, other times, it doesnt feel anymore powerful then a V6 Mazda 6, which in defense, they do have good power, but theres that gap there. :D
 
I know exactly what you're saying. It's not turbo lag, but it does feel as if the car is thinking about how to hit the target loads and then the light bulb finally goes off and she takes off. Kinda weird.

It's what I reference as drivability. Even when I had my car dyno'd you can see the graph for torque isn't as smooth as it should be in every case. When I had my V8 dyno'd the graph was pretty consistent on each run. Not so with the MS3.

At first I was hoping to have it tuned, but then I began thinking and looking at how some folks are going boom and it got me wondering if I did get it tuned and the computer had some type of hiccup like this could that potentially lead to me going boom.
 
Try a more highly-strung turbo car, like an Evo X. This variable power delivery is fairly common on turbo cars. It's not all due to lag, though that's a major issue on the X. You actually have to drive a turbo car, not just push the go-pedal, like the V6 Mazda 6. That's why regular people aren't in love with 4 cyl turbos, no matter who makes them. It's also why Mazda put such a pinner turbo on this car and why the CX-7 gets a snappy automatic trans, to make this driving easier.
 
I have an early 07 and had this problem to the point where it was dangerous because I'd pull into traffic or pass someone and the power wasn't there or sometimes I'd get more than I expected and find myself rocketing towards someone's rear bumper. It pretty much went away with the Mazda fuel pump bulletin. They replaced the pump and changed some reference tables. This only applies to early 07 cars though.
 
Really! I had not heard of this TSB before. Ile have to see about getting this fixed then, or just go to PTP HPFP internals. Ive heard people getting the internals upgraded and fixing alot of their issues. Thanks for the headsup on that one. Ile read up. My MS3 was built in mid 06, so I think it falls into it. ;)

As for driving, Im not a newby as to how to drive a boosted car. Believe me, ive learned from car to car. Even on heavy pulls, you dont just go WOT, you work it in with the power band and boost pressure. Its a seaquence alot of turbo drivers cant seam to get down right. But I know what your talking about.
 
Everyone experiences this. Most likely has to do with ambient temps, humidity, what mood your car is in, your intercooler temp . . .
 
Its just random for me. One pull can be rather light and the next can be roasting the tires 5 seconds apart. Wondering if its the ECU learning or trying to make changes, I dont know.
 
Its just random for me. One pull can be rather light and the next can be roasting the tires 5 seconds apart. Wondering if its the ECU learning or trying to make changes, I dont know.

yeah, lol, last week I pinned it in 3rd, and it literally scared the s*** out of me. Felt like I was putting down 350 whp
 

Similar Threads and Articles

New Threads and Articles

Back