Why is my KL-ZE running so slow?

[bubbaflaat]

OK, just got back from the track with my newly swapped KL-ZE. The best I could run was 15.5?!
OK, I have headers, intake, exhaust, lightened flywheel, act clutch, ur pulley. I'm currently running K8 ecu and VAF though. Would this make THAT big of difference?! I'm really confused. Timing is right, doesn't run too lean or rich even. I NEED help!!

[korban]

ecu makes a very big difference.

[Gabi]

I run low 14's with the o8 ecu, there is something else wrong with your car.

[lakersfan1]

I thought it was better to use the Probe VAF with the K8 ECU? Also, which intake manifold are you using?

[curtklze]

maybe your a crappy driver with crappy tires?
I know Im a crappy driver.

I drove a car and went 15.2, next time out a guy that can drive drove it and went 14.7.

[korban]

other possibility is you may have been boned and got a klde instead of a ze

[bubbaflaat]

No, I know it is a ZE, it says KL on the block, meaning 2.5 litre, and it has an ms8 manifold, and the kl-01 cams, and the KL-ZE heads, and you would be able to tell a difference in pistons through the spark plug hole wouldn't you? Being the ze is a flat-top piston? LOL curt. I DO have crappy tires, but i'm not a bad driver. Sure i'm not a F1 racer, but i've been driving for a while. Lets put it this way, my last civic I had I could run mid 15s in. And the person I sold it to and all his friends can't even get into the 15s. I just sprayed all my vacum hoses with brake cleaner, and no leaks were found. Oh, the coolent bypass line split and I just blocked it off and haven't installed a new hose yet. LOL but that wouldn't make that much of a difference would it? I don't know, i'm just frustrated. Seems like the temperature is a BIG factor, cause after a little city driving it seems to be alot slower, then when it cools it is better. I know the intake manifold temp issues. But DAMN!

[babyblueMX3]

is your vris working properly...i know it sounds strange but check them....I just went to the track with mine and best I got was 14.8...without vris #2 working....vaccum was unplugged...i had crappy tires too...I'm returning this week and hopping to get 14.5

[timpronk]

Try running the vaf from a mx6 or probe. I couldnt get my ze to run to stong with the 1.8 ecu and vaf. It ran better with the 1.8 ecu and a north american 2.5 vaf.

[korban]

wow. you said its not running rich ??? the stock ecu makes it run rich by default .. do you have an a/f gauge in there?

[bubbaflaat]

I don't have an A/F gauge. But the plugs are very light brown. Not black like a rich engine should be. Ummmm, When would the second VRIS point engage with a K8 ecu? I know the one around 4000 opens cause I can feel it big time. What should I use, probe ecu and mx-3 VAF? Or mx-3 ecu and probe VAF? Any ideas guys? Thanks!!

[DavidOS]

look at the back of the motor where the VRIS bits are.

Rev your engine by hand and look to see if the VRIS is kicking in 1 of them moves all the time under load then other moves only at higher revs. If they are moving they are fine.

[TsiMiata]

Make sure you keep the hood open between runs. With a hot engine your times will drop. My car was .4 seconds slower on runs I kept the hood closed while waiting in the lanes.

[bubbaflaat]

Yeah, the vris system seems to be functioning properly. I think the cat might be a little clogged up. But I still don't believe that would make it so much slower than it should be. I'm so frustrated, I built it up in my head that it will be so much faster and I get it in and this happens. I know the the manifold is REDICULISLY hot!! I don't understand how it make any power at all with the manifold being so hot. But I don't know. I'm just really confused and I almost lost to a neon.....