when i floor my 3.1, it shoots a cloud of black smoke out the back at around 5000 rpm. i dont think its anything bad, just curious about what is causing it. thanks for any replies

 

your engine is old and dirty lots of carbon buildup to get rid of running high octane gasoline and running the **** out of it usually cleans out the combustion chamber real good don't for get to clean the throttle body and fuel system too

 

Black smoke is generally a result of running rich. This can be caused by too much fuel pressure or any # of bad ignition/electronic components

 

thanks for the quick replies!

once i'm done with finals and winter vacation comes around, i was thinking about replacing some of the ignition stuff, and seeing if i could get anything from it. any suggestions?

 

While your at it put in a new Oxygen sensor they are like 25 bucks but it will help the car run correctley if it runs lean or rich it will tell the computer how to adjust it so it runs clean.

 

Are you rolling into the throttle or just womping it to the floor?

Rolling into the throttle can cause an excessive rich mixture once PE becomes active.

RBob.

 

Friend of mine's Saturn does it too. Always wondered what causes it...seems to be an extremely common problem among Saturns.

 

its when i "womp it to the floor"

 

You're revving it up to 5 grand in neutral? Seems like a good way to throw a rod...

 

no man, i never said that.