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Engine power under 4k RPM seems low, need maintenance?

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Old 07-21-2015, 01:27 PM
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Engine power under 4k RPM seems low, need maintenance?

Beyond the 4k rpm the engine is a beast, but if i shift from 2nd at 4.3k rpm up to 3rd at 3.7k, i feel like ive lost half the power. Its inconsistent too, sometimes running it it seems fine, but other times it seems like power is lower (~half like mentioned before).

Me setup
5th gen, 3.5L VQ35DE
My setup is stock outside of a resonator being removed by the last owner, and the same guy put on a ram air intake.

My diagnostic guesses
I feel like something isnt coordinating right in the engine below 4k. or exhaust isnt as free as it could be?
Intake filter is not in great shape either, covered in part by rust dust.

Questions - Need help
Is this normal?
Is it a vacuum valve? second one opens at 4.5k or something?
Is it exhaust related? CAT blown? (high rpm could power through it?)
Sensors? MAF dirty?
What can i diagnose/clean to smooth out the power?

Last edited by TheMafia; 07-22-2015 at 02:15 PM.
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Old 07-21-2015, 02:49 PM
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Easier for us if you post original post in here instead of linking. That said it could be normal because of ram intake as you lose some midrange power with that setup. Power loss is subjective so tough to say. It could also be your MAF. Try cleaning it. Definitely clean your air filter. It may also be your power valve in the intake manifold. Do a search for "power valve" to diagnose and repair if needed.
Originally Posted by TheMafia
Beyond the 4k rpm the engine is a beast, but if i shift from 2nd at 4.3k rpm up to 3rd at 3.7k, i feel like ive lost half the power. Its inconsistent too, sometimes running it it seems fine, but other times it seems like power is lower (~half like mentioned before). Me setup 5th gen, 3.5L VQ35DE My setup is stock outside of a resonator being removed by the last owner, and the same guy put on a ram air intake. My diagnostic guesses I feel like something isnt coordinating right in the engine below 4k. or exhaust isnt as free as it could be? Intake filter is not in great shape either, covered in part by rust dust. Questions - Need help Is this normal? Is it a vacuum valve? second one opens at 4.5k or something? Is it exhaust related? CAT blown? (high rpm could power through it?) Sensors? MAF dirty? What can i diagnose/clean to smooth out the power?
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Old 07-21-2015, 05:35 PM
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I'm subscribing as my auto 03 feels the same way. 4k it feels like a turbo kicks in. My 03 manual feels the same no matter the rpm.
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Old 07-22-2015, 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by losifanatic
I'm subscribing as my auto 03 feels the same way. 4k it feels like a turbo kicks in. My 03 manual feels the same no matter the rpm.
Given that...likely your transmission is slipping in the auto.
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Old 07-22-2015, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by foodmanry
Given that...likely your transmission is slipping in the auto.
I wonder if im having the same issue, my clutch isnt amazing
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Old 07-22-2015, 05:07 PM
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Doesn't this have to do with the open and closed loop ECU system w/e thingy inside the 02-03 cars?
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Old 07-22-2015, 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by foodmanry
Given that...likely your transmission is slipping in the auto.
Doesn't feel like it's slipping. My 2k gave me some slipping experience for a while.
It reminds me of how my 02 sentra ser used to feel when the secondaries opened up at 4500rpms
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Old 07-24-2015, 11:52 AM
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I suspect i am getting slip.....

in 4th, 5th(most easily), 6th im pressing hard on the gas and the revs go up rapidly (500 to 1k rpm) but the car doesnt change speed, then the revs drop as it seems to match up more??

why does it slip at first then return to grip? consistently
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