So I had to drive back to school today (180 miles) and the engine is fairly new in the car. I just put in the 350 and changed out the fuel injectors and the knock sensor and such, and I've had the car driving around a bit to break it in. Nothing overly hard on the engine because I don't want it to break. So anyway, driving to school and around town the engine ticks (which might be an exhaust leak or something) but what really bothers me, is at certain rpm's when you accelerate you hear somewhat of a grinding noise that I can't figure out. This grinding noise only happens once and a while and then it stops. It also can be heard if the car goes over a little bump, almost as if something dips and grinds.
The next part of the problem is, my car has no power.. now I know that the caprice 350 isn't the highest and best 350, but I expected it to have more up and go than the 305 (not pushing it just pressing the gas). the problem is, it didn't. Going up hills the power loss was substantial, dropping my car from about 70 mph to 40. Also when I was at 70 and my speed dropped to about 65 the car had a hell of a time trying to get back to 70. Anyone have any clues as to why this is happening to me?? I sure as heck don't.. I think I'm going to take it to the dealership as soon as I can, because I'm having no luck what so ever.. I've replaced the chip to let the computer know it's a 350 (it ran the same with the 305 chip and the 350 chip, so now I'm stuck)

As I said, Any help would be wonderful, if nobody knows, then thanks anyway guys.
-Justin

 

The noise you hear may be the tranny mount...as for the loss of power, I would check the timing.

 

Are tranny mounts difficult to replace?

 

Very easy..you have to get under there and have a look. check for cracks, you will know if its bad when you see it. to change it is self expainitory. Take a look and see what you can see. Sometimes you need to put a jack under the tranny and take a little weight off the mount to see a break put a board between the jack and the tranny so you dont damage anything. If you have any problems, get back to us and we can help..by a poli mount like energy suspension..$20.00.