Thread: Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering

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  1. #1 Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering 
    SE Level Member MM704's Avatar
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    Hi everybody. I'm new here but I've owned my '00 GTP for three and a half years now. It's my first car and overall it has given me a fair amount of issues but I still love it.

    Anyways I've modded my car from stock to safely run a 3.5 inch supercharger pulley. My knock retard numbers are under 3 at heavy throttle (usually when shifting so I'm not really worried about KR). I'm happy with the extra power, but lately I've been having a frustrating issue with engine hesitation at highway speeds. Basically when applying light throttle to maintain a speed going up a hill or passing somebody on the highway, the RPM's surge back and forth and it feels like the car is hesitating, until I give it more gas and it downshifts then it runs smooth again.

    I'm no stranger to this issue. I had the same problem when the car was stock a couple of years back and new OEM plugs and wires fixed it. Only problem is this time the car is modded and I put in colder spark plugs and a reprogrammed PCM. As recommended personally by Will Overkill, I'm running AC-Delco 41-104 iridium plugs (same plugs used in C6 Corvette, Camaro ZL1, CTS-V, etc.) with a .045 gap. I first noticed this issue when the weather got cold here in Massachusetts. I have no check engine lights and my scan gauge shows no misfires. I've had my fuel filter and lines replaced and my MAF sensor cleaned off and have had no improvements. I'm doubtful that this is a transmission/TCC issue. The car idles, shifts and drives around town perfectly, just on the highway do I have this issue.

    So do any of you think that my engine surging/hesitating might be caused by spark plugs that are too cold? Should I try some different plugs? Or could there be something wrong with my tune?

    Mods: Wizair Cold Air Intake, ZZP 3 inch downpipe, ZZP PLog, 180* thermostat, Overkill PCM, 3.5 inch press on pulley, AC-Delco 41-104 plugs (with AC-Delco wires)

    I run Mobil 1 oil and 93 octane gas. The car has 115k miles.

    Please let me know what you all think! Thanks so much!
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  2. #2 Re: Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    I can't say this post will help. But to me it sounds like it fighting with itself on if it wants to downshift or not and thus you feel what you feel.

    I've always just taken my foot off the gas and put it back on when going up a long hill, normally unlocks the torque converter all is good again. I've never had it happen at steady speed on the freeway though.

    The plug gap is kinda small for those mods, shouldnt be a real issue I wouldnt think. A .050 gap is more typical to run.

    Perhaps cleaning the throttle body and MAF sensor and unplugging the battery for a while to reset it and the "TAPS". (aka how the transmission learns, adjust to the way you drive)

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  3. #3 Re: Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering 
    SE Level Member MM704's Avatar
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    Unplugging the battery so the computer can reset sounds like it could definitely help. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the response much appreciated!
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  4. #4 Re: Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering 
    GrandPrix Junkie HighOctaneRacing's Avatar
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    Do you have a way to scan for real live misfire data?

    The reason I ask is because I had a pretty similar issue recently and it was due to cracked plugs. I had no codes and no pending codes either
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  5. #5 Re: Spark Plugs, Engine Hesitating/Surging/Fluttering 
    SE Level Member MM704's Avatar
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    I have an Aeroforce Interceptor which allows me to view live misfire data for each cylinder. I've run it while having the issue and it read all zeros the entire time
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