THROTTLE CABLE ADJUSTMENT IN THE V8

[CHASEVDR]

Does anyone have a picture of where in the Esprit V8 engine the throttle cable is adjusted? If not, verbal directions would also be of help.

[kmaier]

In short, two places... one is the "stop bolt" on the back of the gas pedal.... the other is at the very back of the motor and a bit difficult to get to as you have to reach up underneath and move a clip which holds the throttle end in it's mounting. Just look at the rear of the motor and you'll see the throttle linkage on the left just below the top of the plenum surface and the cable comes in from the right side.

However, I would suggest you not adjust anything unless you have a scan-tool and can measure the throttle position and adjust for 100% WOT with the pedal down. Unless you have a scan tool, no way to verify you have it right.

Basic procedure is to adjust the rear so you have a bit of slack in the cable at rest (idle) position and then adjust the stop on the back of the pedal for 100% WOT using the scan tool.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[CHASEVDR]

I do not have that adjustment feature on the pedal though, do you? It is simply a metal "eye" which the cable fits into. My issue is that the slack is too much. My biggest worry is that it will hop off the eye throttle cable eye again. I will worry about the WOT issue (a luxury when one worries about a floppy gas pedal) next time I bring it back to the mechanic.

Can I avoid climbing into the trunk to make this adjustment? If so, are there places to avoid stepping? Thanks again!

[kmaier]

All I can say is check again... it should be there... it's a good size bolt sticking directly outward from the rear side of the accelerator pedal pointing towards the floor. There is a square plate of metal that it "stops" against when pushed all the way to the floor. This is the adjustment for WOT. If your cable is too slack, then you need to take care of that from the trunk end. Just avoid putting any weight over the center... kinda straddle the trunk from the sides. The cable mounting is directly behind and slightly lower from the MAP sensor at the rear of the motor. If the cable is exceptionally loose, you may have lost the retaining clip.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

PS - if the car is in warranty, may be a good idea to bring it in... though they may charge you for "adjustments".

[chasevdr]

Thanks found the throttle connection point in the engine. Sitting right out in the open, can't beleive I missed it. I was looking everywhere but there. I just took a close look at it and it is a rather complex set of spring loaded machinery. Having looked it over for about 5 minutes, there appears no single point of adjustment. There is a black piece of plastic which is definetely adjustable that connects the butterfly to the rest of it, but I can tell already that it is not what is needed to take up the excess slack. Nor is this plastic bit under tension as a bumper (that appears unadjustable as it is part of the engine block) is what stops the butterfly from hyperextending. What, praytell, is the nut/stop that requires attention?

Can't help thinking that a rather simple adjustable nut on the cable itself in the footwell or the engine bay would make short order of this rather straightforward problem.

[kmaier]

Chase,

You're looking at the wrong part of the throttle setup. There is no adjustment at the butterfly linkage side... right dead center where the cable is mounted to the rear of the motor is where the adjustment is, however, it is underneath so it's completely non-obvious until you use a small mirror and examine it closely. If you follow where the throttle comes in from the right side, the black housing end has many circular grooves in it, from the underneath side there is a small black metal clip that keeps it in position.

I've been thinking.... if you can't find the stop bolt on the accelerator pedal, then maybe it's missing which may explain your loose cable, ie, you may have pulled the cable so hard from foot pressure that the clip was snapped off and is now missing resulting in your very loose cable.

If you give me an email address, I'll snap a couple pics and email them to you....

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[CHASEVDR]

The stop bolt is there under the accelerator pedal where you said it was. Sorry for not responding on that, I think we were talking about two different things. Black block of rubber or plastic.

So I don't think I have lost the retaining clip you mentioned, but am going to check now that you mentioned where to find it. I know exactly where you are talking about so I just need to locate a small mirror now. Glad to hear that the adjustment does not take place in the section that is almost clock-like in its intricacies. My email is: [e-mail], if you are still willing to take those photos. Thanks again!

[kmaier]

Pics are en route... I also used a small mirror to take the pics as the camera won't fit under there :-) Also, the clip is stainless steel and as such not black in color.... been a while since I was under there.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[alecpaul]

Ok after many years driving the esprit with less than full power, which is a HUGE difference when you do this,, it is so FAST unbelievable difference.
hope this helps everyone..

Even after adjusting the cable, there was issue with the PEDAL FATIGUE.. the L Tonge on it keeps bending back where it reduced the throttle output and not fun to drive at all.. also with lower idle you can stall or overheat the engine slightly.. this solution helps get you the max throttle and not allow this tonge to bend back...


go to Lowes, or Home Depot and get these items:

J Bolt, 3/16 any thicker you may damage the TONGE on the pedal itself when you drill it..
I drilled in the CORNER of the L Tonge you see in the photo and bent it a little CAREFULLY..
I used a DRIMEL with any bit that is small and then grove in circular motion as needed so you dont damage it..

NOTE: I removed the seat, BOLTS are under the car, very easy to remove with a 13MM Wrench

THen I though I could get under the steering wheel which is a night mare, so what I did is get from the passenger seat and place my big ass where the seat was and worked with my LEFT HAND.. not hard but be careful if you are not a LEFTY

The reason I used the hook above, is that I could not find the correct length of the J BOLTS, either too long or too short
too long will hit the wall as you push the pedal in..
also use a washer locking one just incase.. and don't tighten too much