ok my car is bein a bitch. it wont get up to speed like it should like it lagging... dunno what to do anymore... any suggestions? i did a nice tuneup.. and it dont have the pickup speed, it spins tires and drives but no pick up ND GO LIKE IT SHOULD... possible tranny issue?

 

Start with the basics:
While changing my plugs on my 87 Formula, I dropped the drivers side rear one on the ground. Without looking at it, I put it in and tightened it down, the car ran lousy. Took all the plugs out and of course the last one out was the one I dropped-the electrode was touching the middle and so I was running a seven cylinder. OOPS!
So, since you just did a tune up, I'd start by confirming that you put the right plugs in, all the plug wires are properly hooked up(new ones, right?), the distributor cap is on correctly, the rotor is lined up, the timing hasn't been changed, and you may want to unplug the computer to reset to the default condition. Then make sure gas is getting to the carb or fuel injectors, the trans has the proper amount of fluid, and there aren't any gasket leaks near the induction system(propane gas should cause the engine to smooth out if it is getting sucked in through a leak). Naturally, the huge spaghetti mess of rubber hoses has to be hooked up correctly-check them with propane, too.
If nothing turns up after checking these things, a compression check and cam timing check may be in order. Then you can also change the oil and filter in the trans, the fluid in the rear, and make sure there are no exhaust leaks. A thermal check of the exhaust manifolds or headers may reveal one that is running much colder than the others, indicating a dead cylinder or a serious misfire condition. If none of these things make the slightest bit of difference, it might be time to get the local on duty mechanic involved for some serios trouble shooting. Best of luck and report back if anything shows up to be the culprit.

 

Simple.........run the old guy over and then you'll be faster than him!

Seriously....as posted above...check the basics first...was it running like this before? Timing set correctly? Bad Cat Conv.?

 

yeah just put new wires plugs cap rotor, u name it i did it. it feels like it being held back in the rear.. my rear brakes dont work would it be possible there seized shut and thats whats holdin me back?

 

If your rear brakes were seized up or dragging you'd burn them up quickly just driving them around. It's likely you would have noticed if this was the case.

Tranny problems won't act like that usually. They'll either slip (engine revs way up, especially between shifts, car goes nowhere) or the shifts will be at the wrong time, but again, that should be pretty obvious. Just pull it down into 1st gear manually and see how it does just nailing it in 1st gear.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say maybe you've got a plugged catalytic converter. Happens more than you might think. And you'll go nowhere fast with a plugged cat. Exactly like you describe- garden tractors can beat you to the end of the street. Had an internet buddy with an old Malibu that literally would not go more than 40 MPH on level ground becuase the old cat was broken/melted and almost entirely choking off the exhaust. Idled beautiful, but zero power.

 

i agree totally with the cat, but i dont have any cats.. straight pipes to cherry bombs..... im confused with this car... my tranny fluid is grey in color still after changing it

 

tranny fluid is pink/red not grey, i think you need to change it again, or you burnt the trans up

 

If the rear brakes were siezed on you would smell them when you drive......like a burnt clutch smell. Your trans fluid should be a reddish colour. Smell it.....does it smell burnt? What is your fuel pressure like? On you tune up....plugs are gapped correctly? You didn't mention your timing....did you check it? 6-8* base. Less than six and it will be WAAAAAAY flat on performance. Take the time to go over all the basic stuff before you jump to expensive and not to common problems. You may save yourself a wack of cash. Good luck.

 

ill do that it seems it dont wanna shift right either..it smells kinda burnt yeah but not alot... maybe tranny is the prob...not sure.... would tranny shop diagnoise it for me?
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also how do i test the fuel pressure? it wants to die to if i dont keep giving it gas... new fuel pump not leaking anywhere... put a 3/4 inch spacer on too between carb and intake

 

Carb......CARB.......Now you say it is carbed! What are you running for a fuel pump? What carb? If the fluid smells burnt it prolly is. Yes a trans shop can diagnose that for you. What motor are you running? Cam? All of this info needs to be spilled out before any more info can be given.

 

its a stock 305, with edelbrock intake and qjet carb.. im running stock fuel pump but its 3 months old, cam is stock