Originally Posted by Walters5507
Complete stock base model. My dad bougt this one, bought a second one and I bought it off of him. 1 to 2 blows goats and its a rough start from 1 at that. I've been thinking that the clutch is bad and thinking that should take away my issues. It's hard going in to 1st from stop and a light shift to second doesn't work ya gotta give it a little bit of a snug pull in.
I just bought the car a week ago but I've been driving it for a good 6 months now. I haven't done any tuning, mods, etc. 46,000 miles on her with the cooper zeons for tires. I'm pretty sure the tires have been it's only upgrade since stock by any owner.
I have big plans for this car and I want it to be done right in every way shape and form. But first, I need to know how to drive it...
Help me out big guy?
OK, Your 1st gear issues are just part of the car. Some relief can be offered but the damm thing is just clunky. It is not you or your clutch.
Now, do a throttle reset.
Get in the car and put the key in the ignition.
Turn it on, all the way to the right, but don't start the car.
Push the accelertor to the floor. All the way hard.
Hold for 5 seconds and release.
Turn the ignition to the left but not off, and leave the keys in the ignition for two full minutes.
You have now reset the throttle to factory presets.
Drive the car and see if you have throttle response improvement. The engine will literaly seem "brighter."
Step one is done.
Cheapest peformance mod you can do on the car.
Until you get a sprint booster, you should do this every 4 to 6 weeks. Especially if someone else drives your car.
OK. Now we go for shifting points. This may vary from car to car and driver to driver. I'm trying to remember exact RPM's from before my dyno tunes so if anybody has better numbers for stock, chime in.
Remember that the rev limiter will come on around 5400 to 5700 RPM's
If you want to spin tires, two things to remember. One, most likely you can't. Two, the only way to do so, even slightly, is to turn off your traction control. That might be part of the "clunkyness"you feel.
Best power band is between 1800 and 4500 RPMs so shift into second at about 4500 or 25 MPH
2nd to 3rd is from 25 MPH to about 50 or 55.
3rd to 4th is 50 to 95
4th to 5th is 90 to 130
5th to 6th is 120 to top end (arguably 156 MPH)
There is some overlap but somewhere inside the overlap is the best for your car. Depends a lot on overall weight and how many people in the car.
Quarter mile speeds and time about 95-98MPH @14.7 sec. A decent Corolla can do it. Don't sweat it. Corollas are plain and have no souls.
With practice a little better is possible.
Spend money on a CAI and a good flash tune you can do better but breaking into 13's is next to impossible without major bucks or laughing gas.
TVT has some decent mod kits as does Eurocharged.
TVT is a good shop in NJ.
Eurocharged is in Plainfield IL about three hours from you and well worth the trip.
Both have ads here and are on the forum a lot.
Anthony at TVT is a good guy. I have met him and many here swear by his work.
I have had real good luck with Eurocharged and recommend them highly. Tony Lawshee is awesome at squeezing every ounce of HP and torque out with a dyno tune.
If you come to the CAA, Eurocharged will be doing tunes here on Tuesday the 22nd.
Hope this helps you get started. Don't hesitate to ask these guys or anybody on the forum. I'm just one of many willing and eager to pass on what we think we know about these really cool cars.
DID I miss anything guys? Chime in for the newbie.
roadster with a stick