Greetings brothers and sisters,

I have just bought a new '08 Civic Si and am in the process of learning how to drive it. Literally.
I'm an old gear head from the 70's, used to driving and bending wrenches on normally aspirated, rear wheel driven early model Detroit iron. (The kids are grown up and moved out!)

I have a question regarding the "Drive By Wire" throttle system. I understand this is an electronic throttle, controlled through the ECM (I suspect). My question relates to throttle response. As I build rev's through the gears, shifting, there seems to be a noticible lack of decline in rpm's between gears.
As I mentioned, I'm used to a carb that snaps shut when you let up on the throttle. But this seems like the rpm's stay up higher between gears.
I'm presuming this is a function of the ECM in order to maintain a certain threshold of rpm's between gears. But I'm not sure.

Any ideas or information regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Willis

 

Greetings! I have had my 08 Si for about 2 months and I also noticed the rpm range lingers. I suppose it is to keep you in the "sweet spot" to get maximum power 5500 rpm plus while the Vtec is engaged. It kinda drives me nuts when I am driving normally. You definately have to drive the car like you stole it to see it's power.

 

welcome to the world of computer controlled TB's... haha. The throttle is controlled by the ECU and that just makes for a headache in my opinion. Its tuned that way to increase efficiency and make for a smoother transition through the gears.Nissan makes a 6 speed AUTO which shifts seamlessly through the gears and you never feel a thing. I guess thats what everyone is standardizing off of now. Me personally... I miss that burst of torque when you slam gears.

With the DBW throttle systems now... you may think you are at wide open throttle sometimes, but if the system feels you shouldnt be it will actually make its own determinations and could be at something like 80% and you are none the wiser. I personally dont like it.