Improving throttle response - 1997 2.8

[JayHaz]

I have recently treated myself to a 1997 2.8 Roadster, its in great condition with no obvious nasty surprises, as yet......
I have fully serviced the car and the engine runs sweet but I am finding the throttle response a little sluggish, which I wasn't expecting on the 2.8.
The throttle cable looks a little corroded on the outside but nothing major.
I will change the cable but do you think this will result in better throttle response? Or am I looking at some more work on the throttle body itself or elsewhere?
Suggestions welcome.

 

[Lee]

This is a good place to start, these enignes also become a little sluggish with lots of small vacuum leaks check the intake boot and plugs on the back of the manifold. Also worth changing the rocker cover gasket.

Alternativly if you know your way around a reader via the OBD1 port, you can see the fuel trims showing you if you have any air ingress.

 

[Pingu]

The 2.8 is a cable throttle. After confirming the cable moves freely in the sleeve, adjust the setup so the pedal actually opens the butterfly as soon as you move the pedal, but making sure the engine returns to the idle position. You should also adjust the pedal stop (and possibly the stop on the throttle body) so the pedal actually opens the butterfly to the max.

This is one of the first things I do to any car if I want to make it as good as possible. It's amazing how many are not properly adjusted.

 

[JayHaz]

The 2.8 is a cable throttle. After confirming the cable moves freely in the sleeve, adjust the setup so the pedal actually opens the butterfly as soon as you move the pedal, but making sure the engine returns to the idle position. You should also adjust the pedal stop (and possibly the stop on the throttle body) so the pedal actually opens the butterfly to the max.

This is one of the first things I do to any car if I want to make it as good as possible. It's amazing how many are not properly adjusted.

Had a little play with the throttle cable adjuster....loads of movement on the cable before the idle increased which says stretched cable to me.
Adjusted the cable tension to just below where the idle increased and gave it some revs to check response, however when I took my foot off the throttle the revs dropped then increases then dropped again to idle...like a bounce. I ended up backing off the cable tension some more so i didn't get the rev bounce...will take it out for a run tomorrow to see if response in better on the road....cable definitely needs changing though!

 

[Lee]

Had a little play with the throttle cable adjuster....loads of movement on the cable before the idle increased which says stretched cable to me.
Adjusted the cable tension to just below where the idle increased and gave it some revs to check response, however when I took my foot off the throttle the revs dropped then increases then dropped again to idle...like a bounce. I ended up backing off the cable tension some more so i didn't get the rev bounce...will take it out for a run tomorrow to see if response in better on the road....cable definitely needs changing though!

Sounds like a naff throttle cable.

 

[JayHaz]

Throttle cable it was....after a bit of adjustment the throttle picks up lovely...like I expected the 2.8 to do!