Ok, Now I'm really lost here. I can't peel out of first gear. yet, I can chirp the tires on second. I don't know what's going on! It's like first gear is extremely weak in my car now for some reason. I tried a brakestand, and no go either. In fact, there wasn't even enough power to overcome the rear wheels like it used to! I'm at a loss for ideas now. The car runs healthy in normal driving, but when I go to do performance, it runs like pure CRAP. I'm at a loss for ideas now. I'm gonna try replacing my ECM, but I really dunno what to do anymore.

If it helps, I just recently replaced my intake manifold gaskets. Everything's back on normally... no leaks, everything's sealed tight. The engine doesn't throw any codes, and it idles just like it did before. Before replacing my intake gaskets, I thought the car was hard enough to break traction in. But now, this is just rediculous. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

Fred

 

plugged cat??

 

Thats what I'm thinking.

 

you might need a nice tune up..

but sudden power loss could be caused by a clogged cat/cats like they think..

 

Hmm, thanks guys, I never really considered the cats. I have given the car a full tune-up while the TPI was apart because of the intake manifold gaskets. However, I also suspect that the timing may be off a little. How could the cats get clogged up tho? Could it be possible that a piece of old gasket fell into one of the intake ports and made it all the way to the cats?

 

My 82Z acted like that for a long time. Drove fine when babied.
Finally found the cam lobes were severly worn down. (160K miles)
Pulled the valve cover and cranked eng. It was really obvious once I could see the rockers were just barely moving!