advice on engine performance troubles

[regdent]

i have had problems ever since i bought the 03 mazdaspeed, the guy who owned the car before me made some questionable mods eg boost valve on stock plastic pipe.

i dont know much about engines but i will try and explain my problem.

i always seem to have problems in 5th gear getting up steep hills, it seems to start jolting so i ease off the gas. i then had some problems in some rainy weather like it wasnt boosting properly. i also have problems sometimes when i shift i think 2nd to 3rd just seems to jerk big time (idont think its my shifting)

any help is much appreciated.

[dirtysouth_msp]

i have had problems ever since i bought the 03 mazdaspeed, the guy who owned the car before me made some questionable mods eg boost valve on stock plastic pipe.

i dont know much about engines but i will try and explain my problem.

i always seem to have problems in 5th gear getting up steep hills, it seems to start jolting so i ease off the gas. i then had some problems in some rainy weather like it wasnt boosting properly. i also have problems sometimes when i shift i think 2nd to 3rd just seems to jerk big time (idont think its my shifting)

any help is much appreciated.

Are you saying that he added a blow off valve to the stock pipes? This could definitely cause some problems especially if it is ghetto rigged. Also, do you have a boost gauge? What is the car boosting when you feel this jolting? It could be fuel cut.

[pdhaudio83]

i have no help to offer. sorry.

[hazeXban]

As for the 5th gear up a hill...I would suggest downshifting, as 5th gear is just a cruising gear for the highway, not meant for climbing hills.

[regdent]

As for the 5th gear up a hill...I would suggest downshifting, as 5th gear is just a cruising gear for the highway, not meant for climbing hills.

its a 60-70mph hill still downshift??

[Matthew]

if youre bogging down, or worse yet, boosting, then yes. boosting in 5th gear up a hill is asking for your motor to blow more than a prostitute.

[noclue119]

its a 60-70mph hill still downshift??

Yes. 5th gear really is only for anything flat or down hill IMO.


as for when i shift i think 2nd to 3rd just seems to jerk big time (idont think its my shifting).

I think if you let teh clutch out too fast it jerks big time.

[regdent]

ok thanks guys

[xtrememps]

4th gear is your friend...lol. Oh, and that "jerking" sounds kinda like bad hesitation. Maybe fuel/spark cut? Meh i'm tired.

[regdent]

i was thinking about changing the plugs and i bought the fuel kit from joep ( i think?) so i will try that, i read some hesitation posts and it sounded alittle familiar but its not all the time, the car has its good days and bad days

[dirtysouth_msp]

i was thinking about changing the plugs and i bought the fuel kit from joep ( i think?) so i will try that, i read some hesitation posts and it sounded alittle familiar but its not all the time, the car has its good days and bad days

I don't think that you should mess with the JoeP Fuel Pressure Reducer! No offense, but it does not sound like you are very experienced at working with your MSP. JoeP's FPR is for people that really know what they are doing, and for some reason, do not have EMS. You should spend a few days with the search function and check out the possible consequences before you do anything like that. Again, I'm not trying to flame you. I just don't want to see you do anything that you may regret for along time.

[regdent]

I don't think that you should mess with the JoeP Fuel Pressure Reducer! No offense, but it does not sound like you are very experienced at working with your MSP. JoeP's FPR is for people that really know what they are doing, and for some reason, do not have EMS. You should spend a few days with the search function and check out the possible consequences before you do anything like that. Again, I'm not trying to flame you. I just don't want to see you do anything that you may regret for along time.

no offense taken its probably why i have had it for a couple of months and have not bothered to try to install it. i do have a friend who is a mechanic who would have actually done the install, i will start with plugs i know how to change them, and i will read up on the consequences of installing the FPR. thanks for your help

[Swerny]

As for the 5th gear up a hill...I would suggest downshifting, as 5th gear is just a cruising gear for the highway, not meant for climbing hills.

Agreed. (rockon)

[CasopoliS]

Sounds like hesitation due to poor airflow. Is the stock BPV in place, or is there another BOV? This 'boost valve' is a boost controller?
#1 - get a boost gauge, they are your friend
#2 - post pics of your engine....I am curious to see these wonderful mods
#3 - read everything you can on this forum, it will help to explain how the stuff under your hood works, help you 'debug' problems, and help you with future mods.
#4 - with pics or a better description we might be able to help more
#5 <- this is the gear I hardly use

Good luck with your MSP....you will learn to love it and hate it very soon :)

[ZenProtege]

I know exactly what you are talking about. when I first had my protege(stock) every once in a while in 2nd and 3rd gear the car would violently shudder, almost like the clutch was being let out wrong or somthing. It seemed to me like a fuel related issue (way to rich) + the turbo not recirculating air bc it would usually be on a time I would be giving the car a good bit of throttle and then let off. I got my ecu flashed and never had a problem since. In your case this might be different if you have a bov

[daedalus]

#5 <- this is the gear I hardly use



(lol)

[Gbourdon]

I bet you are hitting fuel cut in 5th gear. Is there a boost controller on the car? Get a boost guage.

[CasopoliS]

why is that funny? If your BOV / BPV is the source of problem, you will get poor airflow and stuttering power.


(lol)

[daedalus]

i was laughing at the #5 comment...

[MSP#735]

why is that funny? If your BOV / BPV is the source of problem, you will get poor airflow and stuttering power.

how did you get your heatshield so nice and shiny? how long has it been like that and has it faded or tarnished ANY?

P.S. sorry for the thread jack!!!(no)

[CasopoliS]

A little bit of love.....
So many people have asked me this....someday I should write it up so I can just give them the link. Get buffer wheels for a bench grinder...and diff grade compounds. Buff with heavy compound.....then wipe it off and buff with lighter compund...etc etc. Soon that SS looks like it should, they coat it from the factory. Just clean it every once and a while....I have very little discoloration. FYI....if you flick it, and it 'tings', then it is stainless and polishable. The turbo cover cound be polished as well....though I have never done it (just for show if I did).

I don't know if I have seen anyone else polish theirs.


how did you get your heatshield so nice and shiny? how long has it been like that and has it faded or tarnished ANY?

P.S. sorry for the thread jack!!!(no)