When I first got my 87 Camaro fuel imjected 2.8 it had no problem going up hills. With every hill / upgrade lately whether I'm going fast or slow it is struggling to get over it. Even on ever so slight upgrades on highways. To try and solve this problem I checked timing (which is fine). I installed a hotter coil. I put Pacesetter headers on. New spark plugs & new wires. Please help I am desperate. It's gotten so bad now I can't even drive it. Any info. at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Kryppy

 

Greetings,

I'll outline the problem...

Your car is computer controlled.

Ya gotta do the ground test lead test to check for codes.

sixgun

 

I guess that means I have to get an OBD scanner?

 

That's a good thing but...

Most any Auto parts store will do it for free.

Or a paper clip/ECM tool would work.

Do you know how?

sixgun

 

Sure don't. Would love to know.

 

I'd try installing 2 more cylinders- should fix the problem!

Do a search (probably in an FAQ on the forums as well) regarding pulling codes and a list of the codes. You jump 2 pins on the ECM connector under the steering column and it flashes the SES light signifying certain trouble codes if you have any. Then you decode it using a list putting a number to a problem. That's a great start and seeing what your computer is even thinking. Also, have you tried higher octane fuel for the heck of it? I'd look into checking your knock count from your knock sensor, because loss of power under load could possibly have to do with retarded timing.

 

The fuel injected 2.8 V6 (1985-1989) has no knock sensor. What's the condition of your exhaust? Do you have the original CAT? If so, it could be clogged, restricting the exhaust.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

I have The Pacesetter headers with no cat. It ran great like that for a while. I also always use 93 octane. (used 94 from Sunoco when they had it) I even put in octane booster juice. I just checked the timing- 12 degrees (off by two). I wouldn't think it being off by 2 degrees would effect it this greatly, could it? I'm going to put it to 10 right now anyway though.

 

How many miles are on the motor, and what shape are the piston rings and valves in? Burning any oil? It may be a good idea to do a compression check to make sure that all's well in your cylinders.

 

besides a compression test do a leak down test,i just bought a 3.1 out of a 92 rs to build a new turbo engine,i heard the engine run before it was pulled and it ran good with 0 smoke.just for ***** and giggle i did a leakdown test,and 2 of the cyls had 63% leakage the rest were all withing 10-15% which is normal for a street engine.the rings were bad in 2 of the cyls

 

Thanks that's a good idea. I'm going to do a compression test right now. Then I'm gonna search on how to test the fuel injectors. Can you please explain what is & how to do the leak down test? There is no smoke by the way. This is totally got me scratching my head. It started happening pretty gradually. When it started every hill I climbed I could feel it struggling just a little bit more each time. Now whether I'm going slow & climbing a huge hill or I'm doing 70 mph on a straight section of a highway to the smallest incline my speed drops so drastically until I'm over it & going on a flat surface or downhill. Who stole my torque! A big thanx to everybody who replied & is trying to help me with my problem by the way.