'92 525iT poor acceleration

[wilkie3]

I have changed the following items:

Air filter (Mann paper)
Oxygen Sensor
Intake boot

She starts fine, runs well, idles pretty smoothly, but the acceleration from a stop is very slow. I know I am not driving a 911, however I would at least expect my 525 to keep up with my Saturn.

Should I change these items as well:

Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Fan clutch

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[sp0rky]

Get a chip...

the 525s are slow. period. I know, mine is too...

It probably wont keep up with your saturn, sad to say .. but its true. This thing probably weights double what your saturn does and surely does NOT have double the horses.

[beautyland]

Hi wilkie3,

sp0rky is right. Mine is very slow too. Ford Focus can beat me for initial acceleration. I changed what you have plus plugs, fuel filter etc. No change.

I saw litttle improvement with fuel system cleaners (the one you add to gas). Try that. Our cars weigh about 4500 lbs (not sure) . They are the safest out there.

Good luck.

[Torque]

Our cars are not really that fast up to about 40... at leasy mine isn't.

After 40 it just pulls like no other though.

[wilkie3]

Awesome. I appreciate all the replies. I would agree that they are very safe. When my wife is driving our daughter around I always feel confident that they will be ok.
Did the chip mod actually make a difference?
What does that up/down switch next to the shifter do?
Does it just change the shift points?

I spoke with a mechanic who stated that I needed to have my car's computer modified after the oxygen sensor was changed so that I would get my fuel economy and performance back. I am guessing that is a bunch of crap. I just removed the negative battery cable after replacing the oxygen sensor.

What do you think?

[Torque]

If you used the OEM oxygen sensor, you shouldn't have to get the ECU reprogrammed... there is no way to reprogram it unless you get a chip.

[sp0rky]

Reprogram after o2 sensor sounds wierd, never heard of it.

THe chip does make a pretty big difference, but mostly in your flat spots, idle and upper RPM.

initial accel. is improved, but not HUGELY.

one thing i dont like about my chip however is that it gave my car an increased idle speed and the car doesnt adjust to going from no load to full load as well as before and the brakes were also a bit weaker


good luck though.

[Stuka]

4200 lbs??? nah, try 3600 stock. I have a 535 and my acceleration puts a msile on my face. im gonna need some cams now to complete the look....

[Torque]

a 535 woild certainly put a smile on my face as well.