OBD2 AND POWERBAND DYNAMICS for beginners

[Guest jjohart]

My car has been sounding and sputtering like Chitty Chitty Gang Bang of late (83 280ZXT, I/C'd, Greddy Profec B, CAI, 3 in exhaust), and I would almost swear that the human hand of Nissan early electronics engine characteristics were at work, screwing down the idle so much the car dies, or almost does, even after an 8-10 mile ride w.o hesitation....scariest is the way the car, on warm restarts, threatens to die, then whirrs up at least 5,000rpm, then slowly drops down from that, close to stall or minimum idle point (i.e., 3,000 something rpm), and then seems to repeat that pattern in about a twenty to thirty second up down cycle, as if the hand of Banzai engineering were twerking my already twerked car, making me a fool.

I read on another post where someone spoke of a Nissan programming failure mode, in which, he described, the idle was rough, and the car wouldn't rev past 2,000...I'm not sure this is the same-his is probably a rich condition while mine is poor. Is there anyone who can describe what kind of parameters the OBD 2 programming operates in such a mode...like, could I be running so lean with an intercooler and open air intake that the ECU is sensing a failure, and just resorts to major mishegas when I'm idling or just starting up, but when I'm doing 30mph plus it stabilizes and accurately performs for the conditions (as is the real world case).

I wouldn't bet on it, being that I'm thinking my REAL FIX is using fuel injector cleaner of the type that is used with every tankful, as I've been doing up til' about a tankful ago....I'm also wondering if that crap that I add in any way might fool the ECU or other stuff (used fuel injectors from Z Barn last fall were probably F---ED up from purchase, frozen until Techron loosened them up over several hours) into thinking the engine is running "more rich" than is normal gas (again, accor'd to Nissan spec. 1983!). IF SO, I don't think it's my car thats making things tough on me, that I've been making things tough on my engine (which detonates with above lean running characteristics)...therefore, I am a fool asking for advice without somehow getting the running characteristics "richer"...that's another post, though!

Thanks

J.Hart-Boston area-83 280ZXT, mods as above in description, or just ask!