Getting off of work and leaving the parking lot. Step on the gas as I finish my turn onto the side street and...thunk!....thunk..thunk...no response from the throttle. The pedal is totally floppy so I pulled over and popped my hood, inspected the cable at the throttle body and it seemed intact on that side, so I pulled on it a little and it just came right out from the outer sleeve. The cable was completely frayed at one end and had detatched from the ball and clip at the pedal. I decided I couldn't exactly idle my car home, although it was relatively close, so I reversed back into the parking lot of my work and parked it there. Thankfully, my roommate and I work together, we got off at the same time, and for some reason his girlfriend wanted to also show up just to give him a ride instead of letting me literally while this happened. Also, that must have been the most unlucky and lucky day that I've had yet because that morning I had received a shipment confirmation from IPD that I have been waiting to ship for almost 2 weeks now because of some back ordered items, and a brand new throttle cable along with some tune up parts was in that order! I knew I wanted and needed to replace it, but little did I know it would give up that soon!
Fast forward to today and thankfully again my package came yesterday while I was at work, so I head over to my work on my day off and replaced the throttle cable there in the parking lot. I got a lot of head nods and odd compliments out in public it was kinda fun, and was done in an hour after really struggling to get the kickdown switch assembly to come out of the hole in the firewall/body, as I did not want to cut up the inside foam to get to the other side like Robert did in his Video I ended up breaking the 3 tabs off the sides and pulled half of it off then pried with a screwdriver until I found the clips and pulled it out with some force. No damage to the actual hole was done, and I got the new one clipped in, cable attached, and adjusted smoothly.
I am so impressed by the responsiveness of my R now, and it really does feel like a whole new animal! I now have to contain myself at stoplights, while still not lugging the amazing-sounding I5.
At home finally, just to be dismantled again partly to install new Denso Iridium Power Spark plugs, IPD plug and coil wires (yes, I did use dielectric grease to make life easier next time), and a Bosch Dist. cap and rotor. Definitely idles and delivers power a little smoother, but won't get any faster startup until I upgrade to the MSD ignition coil. I did order a CBV upgrade but after looking down there, Ill have to prepare myself to replace that in-car. Will do next time
. The Old Cable
My advice to anyone: If you have any sort of sticking or heaviness in your throttle cable, please don't take the risk of putting it off and replace it as soon as you can! Just inspecting your pedal and the condition of the cable and connection can lead to ease of mind, and you will be able to adjust it properly if it already isn't.
Next on the list of things is the PCV upgrade, which was pushed back because the 5/8" brass elbows were just too small to fit snugly in the 5/8" hose so I ended up using 3/4" brass 90 degree elbows which fit tightly, so now I just need a drill and a 5/8" drill bit for the PTC. Then the new CBV diaphragm and blue spring will be the last upgrade I'll need/want to do to the engine before I move on to the Interior and Body, unless I can get away with adding FCP's upgraded aluminum intake J-pipe on top of the Stage 3 tune, 3" angled flange and DP, exhaust, and the bigger manifold and Throttle body, then I definitely will cause its stunning and am fed up with the black plastic corrugated tube after my MAF and short ram intake.
Thanks for taking your time for reading and responding if you do! I look forward to any input from anyone!
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