Okay, I'm at my wits end with the performance of my car

More questions.

Dropped my car off this morning for an oil change. Talked to the tech who informed me that the 09's (and perhaps late 08's) have a new three-stage ESP which can't be completely turned off like in prior models. To that end, this is still unconfirmed, just so you don't think I take everything at face value. But I should add that using the dash button, there is no difference in my car between partial disable and ESP deactivated.

So, onto something he said this morning. Sometime in the 09 production run the PCM was supposedly upgraded. Meaning it used to take 2000 samples/second and make corrections based on that info. The newer PCM is supposed to take 10,000 samples/sec and therefore can react quicker. He suggested that this could be part of my problem with regards to the get up and go in my car. Thoughts? Comments?

I looked at my PCM, and will have my buddy look at his for s/n and dates.

Mine reads: EVKTH3KD 11/17/2008 09:02:47 am
I'll report his once he gets it to me.

Can anyone in the Chrysler/Dodge clan confirm or deny such a claim???

I've since re-loaded the canned Perf 91 CAI tune, turned the rear O2 sensors off (cats have been removed) and added fuel 10/15/15. I'll get the car out for a bit to have the tune bed in a little and then do a little logging. If there is a vacuum leak, I'll continue to search for it.

 

Understood. For me there is absolutely no difference between 2. and 3, and very little between 1 and the other two.

This is how TJ's car reacts with a tune. Left foot lightly on the brake, stomp the pedal and a cloud of white smoke envelopes the car. I can barely get mine to rock back and forth trying to find the right pedal pressure. He did a little better in my car as his modulation of the brake pedal technique (he's a trucker) is better than mine. Still he struggled to get the rear tires to break loose. I had no issues in his car doing burn outs and donuts with ESP fully enabled (tune in).

Agreed. A little spin of the rear tires just to remove the small rocks and dust is all that's necessary on street tires before staging. I've worked on launching using the partial stab and then full down method. It's the "full down" section that car takes forever to wind up to 4000 rpm. Loading against the stock converter (1200 - 1500 rpm) does nothing more than cause timing to be pulled almost instantly (logging verified).

Yeah, it seemed a bit strange to me too. I will see if he can produce some documentation to verify his statement.

 

Okay, good to know. Just something else to add to the "not the issue" list I'm keeping.

You ever have something you can't let go until you can explain "why"?? Well, that's where I am with this car. :stars:

 

My build date is 12/2008

TJ's info:
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EVKSG1OD 5/12/2008 1:22:58 pm
Build date: 02/2009

Comments? Suggestions?

 

Interesting. I believe there is an ALX member who does, the only issue is the distance between us (three hours). But it won't hurt to ask.

 

You want me to remove the whole exhaust? Reset the adaptives, and then see how it runs? That doesn't make any sense. The other cars have exhausts.

I do not recall ever having it perform differently than I'm describing. I was running it on the track in mid-May, 1st night of Street Legal racing. The car had around 2000 miles on it then.

The battery has be drained completely twice. First time was a ground issue which blew both the front and rear amps. Second time was the MyGig unit locking up (fixed via TSB) and having it's fan run overnight.

Other than that, I've just had oil changes (my third this morning; 15,000 km or 9300 miles), and what I've described before, Predator, 170º tstat, Airaid CAI, Zoomers cat back, and late last week the cats were removed.

 

Understood. I shall.

They're pretty clean. Same color as the inside of the mufflers on my Harley.

I'll pull all the plugs and check their gap while I'm at it.

 

Well, running with the cats is now impossible without having them welded back in. And at the moment, I don't have another $200 to undo what was done last week which involved cutting out the cats at the welds and welding a piece of straight (relatively speaking) pipe in it's place.

So to do what you're asking I'd have to remove everything from the headers back, or from the cross-over back (the Zoomers exhaust itself). Doable, yes, with some help. As I don't have the room (with lift or ramps) or tools for the job.

You are correct, that is another thing to check off the list.

 

TJ has agreed to help me with the exhaust removal this weekend.

 

No sir. There is no LT knk and only one little spike of ST knk higher in the rpm band well after launch

 

Interesting read. Definitely better than the carb cleaner method. LOL I'll add it to my list. Thanks,