My clutch is pretty old and I used to could leave one hell of a long burn out LINE but now it is hard to chrip a gear. I know my clutch is bad but I was wondering how much power this robs?

 

Actually, you are loosing NO POWER.
You are not getting full driveline traction to the rear tires.
Now that is correct.
Or, perhaps, something else is causing a reduction in what was once, the norm with your car.
You recently did the air inlet set up, correct?
Could that have caused a sudden loss in power, somehow?
Perhaps it's messed up the MAF?
How much fun have you had, using your clutch?
Is it original?

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Its original, have had alot of fun with it , and I have speed density.

 

Monkie,

I know some guys here were talking about just leaving the air sensor out when they did there intake setup.

When you did your air intake setup what did you do with the air sensor? It needs to be in the tube and not just laying out in the open. On a SD system air sensor a long with the MAP sensor are major parts. The ECM uses the info from these sensors to figure engine load (map sensor) and the speed and temp of the air (air sensor) in order to adjust feul delivery correctly. If it's just out in the open the ECM will adjust to a completly different situation.

All though it sounds more like you clutch is giving up. I can't remember the year of your car, but if you have the hydrolic (sp?) clutch you can usaly tell if it is on it's last legs by the growling noise it makes going into secound or third gear.

 

The mods I have done have nothing to do with the clutch but anyways, yes I have the sensor in the tube where it is supose to be. The clutch is on its way to clutch heaven cause it grabs almost all the way out. And on a hot summer day when I have been on it hard it will slip almost to where it wont catch the gear at all. But when its cold it grabs OK. I just wonder if I am actually loosing power cause I can chirp 2nd for ****. Maybe its the new tires I got.

 

Have you CHANGED TO FLUID IN THE CLUTCH SYSTEM?
I can tell you that fresh fluid may make a world of difference!!
It does in car braking systems, when the fluid is flushed out every two years.
I know my 1974 Corvette is definetly due for a brake fluid flush, right now.
Perhaps this is your simple solution?
& the new tires, good point.
YOU MAY BE CORRECT, too!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Karl brought up a good point. My clutch was slipping like a big once and when check the fluid level it was down pretty low. I filled it back up and the slipping went away. The tires could be causing the prob, but if the clutch is going out it wont catch as quick and you wont be able to get off the line as quick. Not a real lose in power, but it just wont take off as fast. I would get it replaced before it goes. It's much cheaper. Before mine went out it was only going to cost me about $250, but the dam thing couldn't hold out for 2 more days and it ended up costing me $400, becuase the entire assymbly had to be replaced including the fly whell. When it went BOOMM it tore the fly wheel to hell and back. Of course if you do it your self it will be even cheaper, but I need mine back up and running in 1 day. I didn't have the time to learn how to do it my self.