BTF/PTM

A few months ago I posted on a seemingly laggy throttle response and found that many of you also notice the slight lag in the time between putting the pedal down and feeling the engine start to pull.

Well, I think that's related to the variable valve timing. It makes sense when you think about it, if you're at low RPM just cruisin in a higher gear where there's not a lot of torque multiplication, when you stomp the pedal the computer has to realize what's goin on and adjust the valve timing to optimize power.

I started thinkin about this when I studied the problem in my own truck. Sure enough, when the engine is higher in its powerband there's no lag at all because it's making plenty of torque (it's the V6). So, I guess the problem isn't really a problem, it's just the engine's magic adjustment system doin its job.

*edit* on that note, does anyone know what type of variable valve timing system Nissan uses? What I mean is, Honda has their VTEC system which is an on/off switch that doesn't affect rotational cam position, whereas Toyota uses a hydraulic cam rotator on the drive sprocket to change the timing, and Porsche has another setup and so on...what kinda system does Nissan use?

Centurion

They do it for emissions reasons. We had an Escape at work and the delay when flooring the pedal was ridiculous. The new GM trucks suffer greatly too with the delay.

nissanmadness

Where you used to get black exhaust smoke before when standing on the throttle, you wont get it in todays vehicles. Emissions and the EPA is the reason. With an ECM and drive by wire technology it is an inherent trait to have that slight throttle delay.