Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Question for ATX owners...

How can I get a more linear power curve? Specifically, the car seems to have pretty linear power through the first gear but 2nd and 3rd seem to hit a lot of flat spots.

Chip, maybe but I haven't has a lot of luck there.

Apexi or something like it?

Any suggestions? You can see what I have done in my sig...

Get a chip. Plain and simple. Diablo or Superchip should do fine. I have a Superchip right now, but I'm going to be dumping it soon for the Diablo turbo chip.

Chris, why a chip- not that I'm questioning you I just want to understand why that mod versus any other?

Is it the fuel mapping? Or timing?

Because it changes the shift points so that your car can better use the power band of the engine.

That makes sense.

I've looked into diablo but was vastly underwhelmed by their responses to my questions. Chris has a superchip and likes it.

Anyone have a superchip with the KLPO code? Can anyone tell me anything about the KLPO code?

Questions, questions, questions...

u can kill that shift at 2nd to 3rd at 60-65 by shifting it manually, my dad went out and went to 77mph in 2nd before it kicks it down.. so i'd say around 68-70 then to drive, and the car doesn't hit that spot where it seems to "die" .... but i dunno... still does it with the chip

Yeah, it seems that if you get on the throttle hard from a dead stop, there is no problem. But if you want to gradually get on it, you're SOL

That happens to me too!
Would turning off the OD make any difference?
The question I have is, does the ATX have an axel lock? I'm not sure if that is what you call it, but what I mean is when you get to a hwy speed does the power go straight from the engine to the wheels without any changes?
I hope you know what I am trying to say!

Stephen

Not really. I've found the best performance is to manually shift

Try this at your next on ramp or where ever.
Start in first (Don't floor it just a little more than half throtle)
Hit second at about 30 (Hold at part throtle to about 45-50 floor it)
Hit third(D) at about 60
forth(OD) should not be used until very high speeds wich you probly can't do any ways, It's just a gas saving gear.

My ATX seems much quicker that way and I don't have a chip. Iv'e been able to knock down MTX Neons, and various hondas as long as there stock also.

I've also notice that running to rev limiter is slower you have to shift at the right point in the power band for the next gear to feel strong.

redhawk, here's a tip. maybe try buying an actual performance car? still want a four? maybe a hard core SE-R, both versions will smoke any zetec contique and most other cars in their class. maybe an svt focus, civic si, etc. if you want power and good mpg, you're in the wrong car my man. unless you have thousands to put into your crappy but reliable oil-starved zetec, it's a pooch any way you look at it.