[V8] It's Home!

[Brett Dikeman]

On Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 5:44 PM, Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net> wrote:

> My chipped 20V seems to have a lot more get-up-and-go! The 3.6L V8 is
>   more sedate as it makes its way to cruising speed. It's not slow, it's
>   just not as spirited as the turbo in the way it gets there.

Given how talented the previous owner sounds to be at maintenance, I'd
suggest popping down to the FLAPS and picking up a new air filter for
$5-10.  Especially on a NA car, if that filter is overdue for a
change...

I'd also drop in a bottle of full-strength techron and premium gas,
then yank the ECU fuse for a couple of minutes to reset the adaptation
values...the PO might have been running it on low octane gas.

> This one seems to have a really light flywheel. You let off the gas and
>   it's like you turned off the ignition

More displacement = more engine braking.  Higher compression ratio,
too- I think?

>   The "Cat" light is flashing.

I believe the V8's have pre-and-post cat O2 sensors.  Check both.
FYI, the ones that are down low are a slightly different type- they're
sealed and vented/referenced via the sheath on the cable, I think.

> There's an Air/Fuel ratio gauge set into the console to the left of the
>   HVAC controls.

Hmm.  Or maybe the PO decided to use one of the O2 sensors for a feed
to the gauge.  Or the 3rd party exhaust doesn't have a bung for the
post-cat O2 sensor and the PO left it disconnected.

> didn't check the oil level 'cuz after popping the release, I couldn't
> find the under-hood release . Doh!

Hood pins are probably rusty.  Recruit a volunteer to gently lift up
the hood as you pull the release.

Brett