Kwullen

I just thought I'd pass along a little something I've learned over the years driving different race cars.
Some engines seem to prefer "tromping" the gas pedal. It's usually carboretted cars that have accelerator pumps in them. My experience with fuel injected cars is they like you to "lead" the throttle, rather than just opening it up.
My RX8 definitely fits into the latter category.
I've played a little the last few days to try to fing the best lead.
It seems to best like getting the throttle to the floor by about 8000 RPM in first and second gear. It's a "feel" you have to get for each car and what it likes. You have to think about it for a while and then it will become second nature.
Theoretically it should also get better mileage driving it this way. I don't know, it's something we didn't care about with sprint races, but when you open the throttle at low RPM the fuel/air ratio is upset because the engine can not yet use the air flow from a wide open throttle. Whether or not this is adjusted for in the ECU, I have no idea.
I do know that I can feel the difference in the car's acceleration when leading the throttle, rather than just tromping it.
Try it, it's fun!!

Phlash

Thanks man! Play around some more and let us know what yo find......:D

Atacdad

So thats what its called. I had noticed that if I backed off from the throttle a bit as the RPM's climbed, I'd feel an acceleration surge.

Speed_D

I didn't know the real term for it but I have noticed it also.

Besides gas mileage it also makes the car feel that much smother. Especially through the turns.

Kwullen

It's definitely making a difference in mileage, mine has gone up about ten miles per tank since I've been driving it this way. I'm getting just over 20MPG in combined driving, I was getting just under 19. My car has 14,400 on it and that also seems to help. I guess it's about broke in. It also just seems "happier" if you know what I mean. It's more peppy throughout the RPM range, with less throttle. It really is quite torquey (however the hell you spell it) in the mid range - 3 to 5k, and just kinda jumps with shifts.
It takes some concentration to use less throttle input than your used to, but worth the effort. It's becoming habit with me already, I'm starting to notice I'm doing it without thinking about it and my car likes it.

Astor

That's exactly right with our throttle, it rev's faster with a more linear pushing of the gas, rather than slam it down. It could have something to do with the "fly by wire" throttle. When at WOT (wide open throttle) the ECU goes into a loop mode program so it has a set map for the fuel that keeps it safe, (this is according to the ECU junkies that study this or at least my translation of the data I've computed).
This is easily tested, you go and slam the gas down, you'll feel a hesitation, if you gradually push it in (gradually meaning not all at once but pretty quick), you'll feel it continue to gain power and feel the acceleration more.