I have 18,000 happy miles on my 180 FWD - the last 5000 or so with a GIAC chip and a Borla exhaust. (I’ve been delighted with both of them. The power difference is incredible – especially at the midrange and on the top end in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears – but that’s a different discussion…)

Recently, however, I’ve begun to notice an interesting phenomenon. Having just taken a job 75 miles from home, I get to drive my TT A LOT! Interstate 280 between SF and San Jose is a notorious high-speed stretch. Oftentimes one will find themselves cruising at “flow of traffic” speeds of 85 – 90 mph. FUN! So here’s what I started noticing this week.

Let’s say that I’m moving along at 80 mph. For whatever reason I get ALL OF THE WAY out of the throttle. I then quickly decide to get around the guy ahead of me (blocking traffic ;-), or otherwise pick up speed, so I roll on throttle (or clamp it as the case may be) and the car responds as I expect - quickly sending me to 90, 95 or 100 without much of a thought.

Now, imagine the same situation, only this time I roll on the throttle FROM WHATEVER POSITION MY FOOT IS ON THE THROTTLE TO MAINTAIN 80mph. This time however, it feels like I’m dragging an anchor attached to a parachute!

It does seem worse after I’ve driven down from Marin through SF and hit the high-speed stretch (i.e., the engine has warmed up.) However, this could just be coincidence. (It’s not possible to exercise the car as much in the North Bay so I can’t tell if the probem is the same cold.)

I called DynoSpot Racing in Mountain View (where I purchased the chip). Dick was great (as usual) and listened carefully to my problem. Unfortunately, he’d not heard of a similar issue. We got to talking about throttle position switches, etc., but mostly just agreed that we should go back to the stock chip and see if the issue still shows itself. If it does, off to the dealer. Of course, I’m sure the top end will be cut out by virtue of the stock chip so it may be harder to tell.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

I had Dick at Dynospot put the GIAC chip in my FWD180 TTR as well and love the power! However, I hear a buzz when pulling off the accelerator between shifts...familiar? Sorry, I haven't experienced what you're talking about...yet. Did Dick install the Borla as well? I need to upgrade the exhaust and thinking about Borla or LLTek quad tip...just need a place to do the work!

Thanks-

 

I tend to agree with DynoSpot - I'm guessing that their inference was about throttle adaptation or more simply put - resetting the ECU. Todd from AWE posted on the performance forum some time back, how the process actually work. There's a small motor that opens and closes the throttle plate during initial adaptation to determine the extents of the movement of the plate - I assume that this base learning gradually is honed based on our driving habits.

Won't hurt to try it - nothing to lose except your radio presets and clock when you disconnect the battery.

 

I too hear a noise since installing the chip. I noted it initially on my test run at Dick’s shop when I was close to the freeway wall…Mine is more akin to a "clank" (sounds like a lid being slammed shut on a pot.) It only occurs when I'm really "on it". I’d love to know what it really is…

I bought the Borla from an outfit in Salt Lake, mail order. I had it installed by an exhaust shop in the North Bay. They did a good job. Cost me about 80 bucks. It looked pretty straight forward (given the fact that they had a lift). All in all, not a job I'd want to do in my garage though.

 

Don,

Seems different than my problem.....although I'm starting to realize there are many symptoms of the DV problem.

I really only notice the power loss (could be likened to a parachute) under full acceleration, and only between 4900 and 5800 RPM's or so, then I feel some more power come on again until readline.

I started noticing the power loss a week ago, but only spent some time exercising the car yesterday, to try to better identify it, and this is when I discoverd the abrupt hesitation on throttle lift off....Although I still can't consistently reproduce it.

I'll post and findings I make and what I end up doing.

Brian<p>Brian Loney
'00 180 TTQ
Borla