Top speed barely 100, WHY??

[snakepitt1]

Today, on a very deserted old runway in Tennessee, I decided to see what my 2003 (non-turbo, touring edition)PT would do. The car topped out at barely 100MPH, and it took FOREVER to get there. It seemed stuck at about 4000 to 4100 rpm. I have replaced the stock air box with a cold air intake (filter is clean), installed new Magna flow muffler and had just changed the oil (Mobil 1 5W-30 full synthetic) yesterday. The car has 26500 mles on it. The A/C was off, windows all up sunroof down.
What's going on with this car? I had a Dihatsu Charade with a tiny 3 cyl motor that was faster.
Any thoughts? Plug wires? Plugs? Timing? ANYTHING??????
Thanks,
Scott Harris
snakepitt1@aol.com

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

I have a 2003 Touring Edition as well. Mine is a 5 speed however. I have a drop in K&N filter, and that's it. I have about 10,000 miles on it and I can get from 70 to 100 fairly quickly, takes some doing, but it will get there. I got it up to 105 last week. Have you tried disconnecting the battery? I did about a month ago and it seemed to make a noticeable difference.

[snakepitt1]

Forgot to add that my PT is an automatic. It does move very well from 70 to about 90 then seems to go into a coma. Could this be caused by a high speed miss? Again, I have over 26,500 miles on the car. I drive 270 miles every day round trip to work at elevated highway speeds, oil is changed every 3 weeks or so (3000+ miles) and the air cleaner is a K&N style, recently cleaned and reoiled. Tires were also properly inflated to 44psi. Is there really a govener on our cars? Is there any way to bypass it or disconnect it with out screwing up the engine?
Thanks,
Scott Harris
snakepitt1@aol.com

[Sci-Fi]

You should be able to get up to 90-95mph pretty well. After that the PT hits the aerodynamic wall and its slow going to go faster. But it has been done and more than a few got up to where the limiter kicks in at about 118-120mph for the manual and believe it's 105-110mph for the automatic.

[KingKole02]

I ran my 03 TE up to 105 on night but didn't notice anything stopping it because it hit 105 and a started to slow down.

[quicksilverdon]

Our PTs are not aerodynamic, to say the least. Drag goes up with velocity squared, and so does the requuired horsepower to overcome it.
At 26,000 miles, I'd plan on new plugs & wires if I were you - and go better than stock for longer life.

[Jimbo]

44psi tire preasure on my drivers door it says .tire preasure
34psi cold.I know max is 44, don't know if you should be there
all the time.[:I]Just wondering

[snakepitt1]

Okay, so we have limiters built into our cars. Now the question is...HOW CAN THIS BE REMOVED OR BYPASSED? If this is not possible, what can be done to improve low end torque? I would like to reduce 0-60 times with out having to install a supercharger. Unless some big company out there would like to experiment on my car for the purpose of testing out new engine modifications.
Engine limiter = BAD.
Scott Harris

[CREWZIN]

Snakepitt1,

The limiter is built into the computer. I know nothing about it but the topic has been gone over before and one of our resident GURU's explained about the computer. The normal PT does go past 100 as I was clocked at 107 (but that's another story). QSD already suggested to you about upgraded plugs and wires and along with that probably the best thing to do is get some more air flowing, In and out. An aftermarket intake and exhaust will improve the air flow and help you out with your 0-60 times.

[snakepitt1]

I just ordered the Magnecor KV85 (MAG45428) wires. I will be picking up a set of Champion double platinum (#7440) plugs today. What seals are required when removing the intake runners to change plugs and wires? OR do the seals need to be changed? I know... stupid question, but it had to be asked.
I already have a cold air intake and free flowing Magnaflow muffler.
Scott Harris
snakepitt1@aol.com