I finally conquered the darn thing. I used a small 1/4 socket wrench with a 12mm socket. After I put the socket wrench in place, I took a long flat head screwdriver to push the wrench. It took a few tries, but eventually I was able to break that sucker loose. I just unscrew it by hand the rest of the way. I put the new knock sensor back on in a similar way, but just reverse of everything.

Anyway, I took a little test drive to the local auto part store to get something. I pushed the car a bit, but couldn't feel any difference. However, the car wasn't fully warmed up yet though, not sure if that make any difference. I only drove for about 10mins or so, not exactly enough to tell for sure. Before I did all of this, I disconnected the neg. battery clamp, so it should be reset by now. Maybe I'll see for sure in the next couple of days. IIRC, someone said he didn't notice much difference at first, but after a few days, he felt the difference.

I'm going to pull the MIL code again and see if the knock sensor code is gone. Hopefully, there will be no new code for me to worry about.

 

Yeah, Im going to put in another vote for not feeling much of a significant difference upon install although my track times were much improved from when I was getting KS error codes.

 

 

How's that JWT ECU? IIRC, you bought one from Avalon Racing?

 

The JWT ECU is good. I was waiting until I had more track data before I got back to you about it. The only concrete data from the track I have is that my ET went from 16.9 @ 82(Maxus, full tank, heavy rims, JWT intake, faulty KS and O2) to 15.4 @ 90 (half tank, heavy rims, new KS and O2s, Cattman Y, RT Cat, JWT Intake, and JWT ECU).

Mind you this was only my second time at the track, so Im still lacking some experience and:

1. I couldnt launch, 60 fts were in the 2.42s
2. I had too much gas (fell asleep at the pump...doh!)
3. I have since acquired stock SE rims from a 98 (16.5 lbs a piece vs. the 23.5 lbs Borbet type Es)
4. The track was too packed the most recent time so I only got 3 runs in, but in experimenting with different factors i.e. launch RPMs, etc., my ETs improved on every run: 15.6, 15.47, 15.40...
5. Some other guys from the DC Maxima chapter with autos have ran better times through manually upshifting which I never was able to try.

If I could just launch correctly, my times would be in the 15.0-15.2 range consistently and Im hoping with less gas, more experience, and lighter wheels, I'll be able to get there.

One thing is for sure, no matter how much I spun out at the start, my top end would always bail me out which I credit to the JWT ECU. That second night at the track, I didnt have one perfect run, but my times I felt were still semi-respectable.

In terms of daily driving, the engines performs like it's exerting a lot less effort (especially out on the freeway cruising at 80+) and the power is definitley noticeable in both city driving and highway driving.

Let me know if you have anymore questions and I will be heading back to the track on the 12th of April weather permitting. I'll keep you posted.

p.s. Thanks for the grill, I love it!

 

Congrats. I know you have been messing with that thing forever.

SuDZ

 

Thanks for the update. I asked about the JWT ECU because I talked to a guy that will sell me his JWT ECU once he get his SC. So, I'm looking forward to it. I know what you mean by lack of track experience. I only been to the track twice. The last time I did horribly because of the faulty knock sensor IMO. I'm going to check out my O2s to see if they need to be replaced also. My best run was the first time I went to the track, I got a 15.4 at 89mph. I manually shifted my runs, that was back when I didn't have Don's VB upgrade. My mods were: ypipe, cai, rt cat, and catback exhaust. Only thing I added up to now is Don's VB. When I ran the 15.4 it was at night, it was as hot as heck during the day so I think the cooler weather helped. Since it was my first time at the track, I wasn't prepare. I had almost a full tank of gas, crappy non gripping stock tires, and didn't lower my tire pressure. The second time I went to the track was a day to forget. I could only muster a 15.9, so I knew something wasn't right. I tried manually shifting and leaving in Drive, it didn't matter. I thought maybe it was my tranny. Don told me the VB core I sent back to him had rust, so for all I know my tranny could be close to death. Then I pulled the MIL code just for the heck of it and surprised that I got the 0304 code. I don't think you can really tell by going on a butt dyno. I'm thinking of going to the track again, only way to know for sure if the new knock sensor make any difference. Wow...that was long.

 

Also 10 mins might not be long enough to have the engine get out of "cold mode". The ecu runs an set a/f & timing maps until the car is warmed up.

Comment again when you get a chance to drive it around for longer.

 

I think another guy had said he did not notice his at first either then around day 2 or 3 when some more driving was done he really felt it. Maybe it just takes running time to get everything changed over as far as the ECU is reading it.

SuDZ

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too.


SuDZ: I remember reading the same post. Do you remember what's his handle is? I want more of his input on this.

 

What do you define warming up to be? For instance, by my 3 run of the night, taking approx 30 min in between runs, would my ECU still be running in "cold mode?"

 

I was trying to remember it myself when I posted that. If it helps anyone his sig pic is him kinda looking out the driver side window with one arm out if I believe while doing a smoke show in a marroon-ish colored maxima. Maybe that helps you or smoeone else remember. I think he also mainly hangs out in the General forum from what I have seen. Good Luck.

SuDZ

 

That's Carl

Nismo2020

 

Maybe when the temp gauge is at the middle point. Your car should most definitely warmed up by the time you get to the track I would think.

 

I knew someone would remember.

SuDZ

 

Unfortunatley, my temp gauge was the only casualty of my intelliglow needle installation . It's actually shown some signs of life recently.

 

lol...better than me. I messed up my whole gauge cluster attempting to put the needles on. I had to buy an used gauge cluster from a junk yard. And it's not even a SE gauge, oh well...a different look after years of looking at the white faced SE gauge.