I posted this over at maxima.org but can't seem to find the problem. I have a 2000 Maxima SE, 5sp federal emmisions with 54k miles. Bought it at 37k. Here is the issue:
Basic issue is: car idles fine. When I'm at a constant speed the car is fine as well. The problem I'm having is that when accelerating (generally with a decent bit of throttle) I'll get small surges in the power output as if an inconsistent supply of fuel is going to the engine. They're not major surges and most of the time the passengers are not aware of it but I can tell it's there and if my wife has noticed it as a passenger as well.
Additionally at least on the highway I've found sometimes that let's say I'm at 2500 RPM and everything is good. If I give it a bit more throttle as I accelerate through the RPM range there seems a sticking point where at, say, 3500 rmp (just a guess) instead of 80% throttle the engine acts as if it's got only 60%. Then as I continue through the rpm band it will go back to the expected 80% once it gets through that sticking point.
Now, from what I can tell the idling is pretty much perfect and my low end power is perfect as well, so perhaps that lends evidence against this being related to a dirty throttle body, but then i'm not really a mechanic - though I will fix this myself if I can and can figure out what it is!
Thanks so much for any help people :)