Hi guys, so recently I just ran a 350z tuned with basic bolt ons and eveything went great when we raced on a roll at 40 mph (got him by a car and a half) but then the Z said he wanted us to go 50 next. I agreed and we went again from 50. I was still in 2nd and when I got it up to the redline, I felt my power decreasing and then my check engine light came on and off. It was flashing back and fourth and then of course the Z caught up and I let off cuz I didn't want to break anything. However, as soon as I slowed down and came to a complete stop, it went away. Any one have a clue to what might have caused this? My mods are dejon CAI, Dejon hot side charge pipe, HKS BOV, MPX whole 3 inch catted exhaust system, and Trifecta tune at 23 psi. I recently blew my stock FMIC when I raced an RSX type S and I replaced it with zzp's FMIC with the smaller one for clearance reasons. I also decided that I no longer like GM's cheap plastic "performance division" parts so I just went ahead and upgraded the lower charge pipe with zzp as well. It's been a good week or so and from what I've heard and read, I won't need to retune for those parts but man, honestly, I feel like the stock FMIC ran a lot smoother and actually felt quicker too. Should I retune for the aftermarket FMIC and lower charge pipes? Could this have caused the CEL to flash on and off? Oh yea, forgot to tell you guys that after it went off, we decided to run one more time but at 40 mph just to see if it will come back on and surprisingly, it didn't. I didn't want to push my luck any longer so we called it a day. Sorry for the long story. Thanks for any comment in advance.

 

It means you had a massive misfire check your plugs and see how they look when was the last time you changed them and what's your gap on them?

 

Just misfired. It happens sometime with trifecta. And you have an external BOV, so I'm sure it might be it..

 

Might think about new plugs, how many miles have you been on your tune? and how many miles total on the current plugs?

 

I have no idea how many miles are on my plugs. LOL I bought the car used and I doubt the previous owner changed them. Wait, what kind of plugs are we talking about here? LOL I'm so sorry. Like I've said in the past, I'm still am a total noob. I'm not really a car guy. I only like to race, not fix cars. But anyways, I've had the tune on for a good 5k miles but I hardly turn it on. I mostly drive it on stock and even when I race I"ll only turn it on if I lose. LOL people think I'm shooting nos! LMAO! Also, I don't know what the gap is neither nor do I know how to even check it. LOL So do you guys think that if I retuned for the FMIC and lower charge pipe then would that help the issue? Also, is there any permanent damage to my engine? Would I have to worry about it in the future? Because when the CEL started flashing I lost a lot, if not all, of my power.

 

Don't worry your car is fine. It's called limp mode. your car gets slow and the CEL starts flashing as you stated. Get some new stock plugs from amazon for like 24 bucks. Ac delco 41-108

 

Limp mode or some serious misfires, mine did that (loss of power and flashing CEL but wouldn't do it every pull, then it started doing it every pull a few days/pulls later) shortly after I first bought it was like wtf? Thankfully I had an interceptor and I had it on misfires, it takes 40 to set the flashing CEL iirc. I got new plugs and the problem is gone

 

Thank you very much for your help and reassurance. I just love how Cobaltss.net is so helpful and kind! Especially to car noobs like me! Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your help, time, and effort!

 

Yea, my car only went into "limp" mode once when I ran it at 50mph. Then I went again at 40mph and it was fine. Seems like my car isn't the only one that does that then. LOL Thanks for all the help guys! Guys like you make CSS.net so resourceful. You guys rock!

 

Anytime man, keep us updated. The new plugs should feel much better in your car. PS, before doing the new plugs. I would seafoam the car right now with the old plugs. Do that get new oil and put in the new plugs too. Just my .2 cents since you're doing that.

 

Check the gap before you put them in

 

Sure, I'll try that. Thanks man, but I'm gonna skip the new oil thing cuz I just changed my oil not too long ago. I'd say only about a month ago. And it was with royal purple too. So that oil should obviously still be good. It cost me freaken 70 bucks though because I bought the 5 quarts and the K&N oil filter too! LOL gotta take good care of your car if you want it to be beast and take care of your reputation.

 

How would I do that bro? I don't even know what the appropriate gap is either. LOL

 

Dont seafoam the car then. When you seafoam I'd recomend to do the oil change. For now just do the spark plugs. I believe stock gap is .34 a mechanic will know what to do. The manual will have the stock gap size. Idk why I think .28 too

 

Royal Purple racing oil or their API licensed oil?

 

Ok, Thanks bro. I will do it on my next day off. So just change the spark plugs right? Then it should be fine?

 

Good question. LOL I'm not sure. Umm the one that they sell at auto zone I guess. LOL it was about 45 bucks.

 

Wait, so how would I check the gap for the spark plugs? LOL is there a special tool I gotta use or something? Because I seriously don't feel like taking it to a shop and getting ripped off for something I can probably do myself.

 

Its about the size of a half dollar or so. Should be some at the counter at any auto zone. Shouldn't be more than a couple dollars.

 

Are you talking about the tool?

 

Yep

 

Do you know the name of the tool by any chance? LOL

 

Spark plug gap checker? I don't really know. Lemme see if I can rustle up a picture.

 

LOL ok bro. Thanks for the help and effort. Much appreciated.

 

There ya are