I have a 350 tpi and even with 2.73 gears, i could always spin the tires. If I floored right off a stop, i could spin them enough to get the back end to slide around a little. However, now I can't spin them from a stop at all. I thought maybe it's because the weather has gotten a lot hotter lately, but I remember being able to spin them just fine last summer. The car doesn't really feel like it's down on power otherwise - its just that off of a stop, it almost feels like theres a delay between the putting the pedal down and the car pulling hard. I'm just wondering what could cause a low end loss in power - I did notice a rattling noise coming from what seems like the alternator recently that increases with engine speed. Thanks for any help.

Chris

 

Warm, humid weather is definately a factor in power loss. Sounds like you might be in need of a tune up as well though. Do all the standard stuff, check your filters, plugs, dizzy cap and rotor, etc. Also, check that fuel filter, commonnly overlooked, but when clogged could do some damage with fuel delivery. Just watch incase the fittings are rusted on, dont wanna snap one off.

Other than that, I would run a can of seafoam through the gas tank and see what happens.

 

timing could be off

 

you don't want to spin the tires anyway right? spinning tires means going slower

 

Lol this is true, and frusterating at times, but what about that point where he would have hooked up? You're gonna want that power after that.

 

Have you checked your tire pressures lately?

 

he just has so much grip that he CAN'T spin the tires. who said anything is wrong with the car.he even said it doesn't seem down on power just no tire spin. it's those magic SFC he is running.


but yeah I agree tune up is in the works

 

Well guys the car is most definitely slower - I went to the 1/8 mile track last night

The last time that I went I had traction problems and was still running consistent 9.6's with a 60 foot of usually 2.18 or 2.19. This time I could not even break into the 9's, I ran consistent 10.1's and 10.0's with a 60' of about 2.35. I could barely spin the tires off the line even if I floored it. Think a tune up would make that much of a difference?

 

perhaps your suspension? when my front struts were blown i couldnt spin them if i put it into 1 and floored it.

 

Well, it couldnt hurt. And who knows, it may be the root of your problem. When you have a problem, and dont know what it is, always start at the cheapest, easiest culprit, in your case, a tuneup, and move on from there. No sense ripping apart the engine, if all your problem is is a dirty fuel filter, carbon logged dizzy, and dirty air filter.

 

been a few times as you said those little cheap buggers are the worst problems. my honda has shown me that more then once.

car kept blowing coils, it was slower then normal, points would fry. oh wait gotta replace that ballast resister. hey it runs fine now.

**** my car is running bad again. check the plugs oh my god it runs better

my maverick was the best example of plugs. things where so far toast and loaded up. wouldn't run very well at all. changed the plugs and that thing purred so well at idle. I mean just purred.

try it a tune up can never hurt and only really help. things are designed to wear out which sucks but once fixed can make a world of difference. even those little things.

 

It's called planned obselessence, and your 100% correct about it. Makes sure you keep coming back for those parts. Good for the businessman bad for us.

 

Well guys I'm an idiot - I was checking the plug wires yesterday, and although one of them is burnt through in a small spot, , one of the wires was somehow unplugged from the distributor cap. I've been running on 7 cylinders for awhile. I will probably do a tune up anyway, but thanks for all the replies. The car feels a lot better now!

 

Atleast they try to get rid of some of the wear items. Thank god for no more points, on some cars no more distributor caps, HID bulbs replacing normal lighting, I've even seen condoms that you can wash and reuse.
Then again they make some items just have issues all the more.


Huntingwood just be glad you didn't find out the hard way. Grab onto the plug wire when the car is running. I've found a few bad wires doing that before. It is amazing how those little things cause all the problems in the world though isn't it.

 

You should check up on your TPS sensor...Or your MAF sensor...Could be going bad, possibly?