Thread: Newb from PA

Hi everyone...

I just traded my 72 Datsun 510 project for a 97 SE-R, just joined here for a little insight and to learn a little more about what I have.

All I can say is this little car is surprising on how well it runs.

Mods that I know of...

Engine-
Short Ram intake
Header
full 3" exhaust with high flow cat
Infiniti G20 ECU
Underdrive pullies (not yet installed)
Poly motor mounts
New cap/rotor/wire
NGK Iridium plugs
Nismo 180* Thermostat

and it runs like a raped ape. He was telling me I can advance the timing a few degrees for a little more power along with the pullies.

But, before I did any of that...theres a few things I was wondering about...

He removed the EGR valve and blocked it, so the EGR code is showing up, any way to make that go away? PA inspection requires no lights be on...the EGR not being there isn't a big deal, just so long as the CEL is off.

Also...the knock sensor code shows up. Now, I'm not sure if these cars are like the SRT4s...but, poly (almost solid) mounts on an SRT4 can trick the knock sensor into thinking the engine is pinging from the vibrations, etc...is that a possibility or is the sensor most likely bad? Car has 196k, so, I guess thats possible.

And, the rear o2 sensor is unplugged since the cat didn't have a spot for it, so that code shows up...I was thinking of just plugging it in and tucking it under the car...any harm in that?

Also...it has an intermittent miss in it, almost like a bucking feel when running it through the RPM range. At full throttle I don't notice it, but, if I advance to full throttle, I can feel it? Any ideas? Could that be the knock sensor causing that? Also kinda backfires when you let off full throttle to shift...might just be because of the large exhaust, but, might be related.

But...pics today, might install the 2" lowering springs that came with it...but, thanks for having me!

Welcome.

You can advance the timing to 17*btdc, however, you must run premium gas, or at least it is highly recommended.

There is a thread on how to delete the rear O2 sensor and keeping the light off. It basically involves using a resistor in place of the sensor.

As far as the knock sensor code, it won't throw a CEL. My car has had that code for almost 5 years now and I have no issues because of it turbo and all. Some people may have different experiences with that sensor, but personally I have had none. Just about every one of these cars throws that code at some point.

As far as your car bucking, that could be a number of things. In my personal experience any bucking I've experienced in my car, it was due to the primary O2 malfunctioning. When was the last time the car had a tune up?

Hope this helps

Thanks for the info, and I'll look into that o2 delete, sounds easy enough.

And, the knock sensor thing might cause an issue with PA emissions...they're a pain here. The days of unhooking the battery and going in for inspection are gone...they run their scanners to tell if all tests are complete now :/ We'll see I guess.

And, I know the plugs (iridiums), wires, cap, rotor are all new. Has a new air filter, header, cat, and cat back are all new...front o2 is original from what I can tell. It runs great at WOT, but, if I'm cruising at about 3k (for example) and try to accelerate to WOT, it doesn't seem to have the pickup and has an intermittent miss (i guess you could call it that). Kinda hard to explain, but, very odd. I'm wondering if its sensing knock and turning the timing back???

But, here's a couple of pictures. It looks like crap right now, haven't even cleaned it yet, but, I'm still putting it back together. Thursday I'm going to the junkyard to try and source a carpet and headliner, maybe a set of stock wheels that would make it look a little better. Still have to install the 2" lowering springs as well.

And, my roof is pretty ugly...do they make those carbon fiber roof caps for these? Even a cheap cap out of anything? Lol...the sunroof delete by the previous owner was a good attempt, but the roof is warped pretty bad from the welding.

But...here they are...fog lights will be installed soon as well...

Is it normal for these to spin a little in 3rd on a brisk day? I swear, this car runs very good for 196k miles...haha

if the tires are bald and the road is wet yes

Welcome!!!

A knock sensor code can pull timing. I had the same code and needed to replace the twisted pair wires going from the ecu to the sensor to get rid of this problem.

This one spun a little in third on dry pavement I swear...now...it has lke 195 tires on it, but still.

And, i'll look into it. Too bad those sensors are so pricey to just try out :/

looks like the start of a nice project..welcome to the forum !

Mother of God...got it tagged today and put about 100 miles on it already...haha. But, noticed my throttle cable had about an inch of play in it (I guess 197k miles worth of loosening)...tightened it up...I believe I wasn't actually at WOT before.

Why does this thing run so good? Whooped a TRD Camry and an RSX...on private roads in Mexico of course.

Hang on, tell us some more about the Datsun you had before too!

What did you do about the EGR to get through inspection? I hate the yearly inspections in PA.