Have you ever heard of this problem/issue?

2002 2.7l auto 4x4.

I've owned the truck about 3 years now and it has always done this but I've never really bothered to dig into it.
This is what's going on: This is kind of specific, hence the reason I haven't asked sooner. Most noticeable shortly after start up but the engine is running at normal temp. Driving up and incline while the truck is in 3rd gear (auto) and if I can get it up to about 2700 rpm the engine smooths out and accelerates easily. It usually shifts to the next gear a few second later and the engine goes back to being its normal lethargic self. It's always at the same rpm, doesn't matter if it is winter time or summer. Only thing I have replaced in the past was fuel injectors (with aftermarket denso) and the tps. Neither made any change in this symptom.

Any ideas what to look at next? What would be rpm dependent that would effect engine management?

 

Are you saying it seems smoother and more powerful at higher RPM? Reading your post I can't see a Problem or Issue.

 

It seems he's talking about a flip / flop situation..rough, weak- smooth, powerful- rough weak situation..based on rpms etc..like it has a good/ sweet spot seconds right before it shifts then back to being rough and weak.. in the 2nd to 3rd gear speed span..

 

Sort of. Too steep of an incline and the truck never gets to 2700 rpms. Not enough incline and the truck shifts to next gear before 2700 rpms. But just the right amount, apparently the right amount is the incline of the on ramp to the highway both when I leave to go to work and when I leave work to come home, and it does this thing.
You might say, if this is the only time it does it why bother? And my reason is because it would seem my truck is not running optimally 99% of the time. When this "symptom" occurs it's feels like it has way more power and is very smooth. The rest of the time it runs fine but lacks real power. It is really hard to describe, but even my brother noticed it right away.
I have run the Torque app and watched a few different parameters but haven't noticed anything obvious at that rpm.
But I just might not be looking at the right thing.
This is an abrupt change in the feel of the engine. Sorry I can't be more specific.

 

Probably an EPA related issue ..Fuel economy / emissions standard system that waters down the overall enjoyable experience.. You could try a 'Pedal Commander" to reprogram the pedal response..although it may not be the issue it would bring joy back into ownership of the vehicle..although your fuel economy may drop as well..everything is a trade off, a compromise in life..

 

Sounds like you're talking about the converter locking/unlocking (I forget which it is) and that allows it to jump a couple hundred rpm's which makes it feel smoother/more powerful. Have you tried driving it with the performance button on which raises the rpm shift points? Alos, make sure overdrive is not turned on, it sounds like it's shifting into 4th too soon.

 

No, this is not a transmission issue. Sorry.

 

Can you get a video? 2700 is about where a 3rz starts to feel pretty good, so this sorta sounds normal. But I dunno for sure.

 

2700 rpm's is not a normal shift point so there is a certain amount of gas pedal being applied which the computer will also use to delay shifting. Depending on the temp of the coolant, it can delay shifts or the converter locking/unlocking as well. Once it shifts out of 3rd into overdrive, it's pretty much a dog with the rpm drop which is normal. Have you tried leaving it in 3rd and applying different amounts of throttle to see if that smooth/power spot holds on? I know the 2.7 runs best in that 2400-2700 rpm range and you can feel it for sure.

 

I'm working on getting a video for this but have been busy or distracted. Also, I misspoke...this is happening in the shift between 2nd and 3rd, not 3&4. Sorry.