Everytime i start my car in the morning, i am usually in a big rush so i dont let the car warm up. I understand its bad to push the car when its cold so i avoid doing that for the most part. however, there is an INCREDIBLE difference in the acceleration and throttle sensitivity(?) than when the car is warmed up. Its almost like the gas pedal is stiffer, and its HARD to go at a slow pace because i have to put so little pressure. If i start the car and at any time in the first couple (2 to 3) minutes stomp on the gas, i can spin my tires. I can't do this if i try for the most part after the car is warmed up, much less even get the car going anywhere very quickly before 2500 rpm.
I always assumed this was due to the ecu's timing or something. i read in the manual something about the car shifts alot sooner when the car is cold but as far as the quick acceleration, what is that about?
i was curious if anyone else experiences this? it is definently not in my head, and its like an enormous difference. i wish i could keep that power even after the car is warmed up.
is this the power you get when you buy those jwt and technosquare ecu's?

 

cold engine -> rich mixture; O2 sensors are not warmed up.

 

yes...what he said, but i would let it warm up!!!!

 

Just because the engine is running rich dosen't mean its going to make more combustion. More fuel dosen't equal more power with the same amount of air. You actually lose power if the mixutre is richer than it should be.

Also, I've always noticed the same thing and I honostly think it has to do with the heat of the engine. If not, I know that the knock sensors on our cars don't function correctly until they hit a near equal temperature as the block itself, so for the first 5 mins of run time (or so) the ECU actually ignores it.

 

Dang...I was hoping there was some way to "unleash" this potential power. I thought like a ts or jwt ecu would have a similar effect.
Hmm.

 

its not so much as the richer mixture as it is the cold air. Cold air is denser and therefore more air can be compression for a greater combution hence the surge in power your feeling.

 

arent all of the parts in an engine alot tighter when theyre cold? im pretty sure that would have alooot to do with it, if each metal inch is cold. also colder fuel because it hasnt had time to warm ur lines up. just thoughts

 

Cold air, cool engine compartment, tranny oil is cool making it feel tighter, all adds up to your wonderfull morning VQ experiance.

 

So maybe in the winter my car will perform better? I'm surprised nobody has managed a true cai that produces power.
The heat really really bogs down my car bad.

 

there is no real way to harness this "surge" or cold air. it comes from the engine and air both being cold. Its almost like nitrous. the some what use this effect at the strip by using ice on the engine. keeps its cold. maybe some1 else can add to that

 

your car is in open loop at start up, it takes readings from MAF, ECT, MAP, IAT, CKP, CMP to determine drinving conditions on start up(open loop) when your engine is cold, it will be loose since the metal contracts. especially when your trans fluid is cold, you may seem like you have a lot more power, but you really dont. the pcm will use its inputs to determine shift schelduling and shift timing., and engine timing.

 

Yeah it is like nitrous.
I wonder if those hoods with the vents in them have any effect with their ventilation.