My SHO seems slow...

[Orkin]

My SHO just doesn't seem to want to go like it should. It's like I hit about 3500-4000 RPM, and it just doesn't feel like going any further. It will eventually get up there, but it doesn't really pull at all, and I don't feel hardly anything when the secondaries open. Maybe I'm just expecting too much, but my mom's '04 Impala (base model) pulls harder than my SHO!

Here's what I've done since I got the car about 18 months ago:

• Crank position sensor
• Water pump
• Spark plugs
• Spark plug wires
• Valve lash adjustment
• Crank seal
• Cam seals (although one's leaking again already)
• Timing belt
• Timing belt tensioner
• Accessory belt
• Oxygen sensors
• DPFE sensor
• Intake manifold gaskets
• Intake manifold hoses
• Fuel pump
• Catalytic converters
• Mufflers
• Thermostat
• IAB valve
• Rebuilt transmission
• Fuel filter (twice)
• Air filter (twice)
• Castrol GTX every 3,000 miles

As you can see, I've treated the car right. The only problems I have engine-wise are a 332 code (it's gotta be the EGR valve this time), and my alternater doesn't "come on" until I get it up to 3,000RPM (strange, but true).

I thought maybe my exhaust was still clogged from when my old cats broke apart, so I disconnected my exhaust from the y-pipe back today and took it for a test drive. It actually seemed even slower, and idle was weak...(it sounded awesome though, especially at idle...just WAY too loud).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[BenBrausen]

Check the MAF sensor. For a lil bit my car felt really slow gettin up there and at 80mph it hit a brick wall and wouldn't go any faster. MAF sensor had crap on it from the K&N filter oil.

 

[Redline]

Check the MAF sensor. For a lil bit my car felt really slow gettin up there and at 80mph it hit a brick wall and wouldn't go any faster. MAF sensor had crap on it from the K&N filter oil.

I agree. I clean mine periodically as well, because I have a K&N air filter. It has definetly made a significant difference in performance for me

 

[RJ-92]

Take off the MAF and hit the hot wire with some brake cleaner, and some clean, compresed air a few times. I woulkd lose the K&N BTW, not worth the trouble with the oil hurting performance.

 

[Orkin]

I stopped at AutoZone this morning and picked up a can of $5 electric contact cleaner. Sprayed down the thing for a couple minutes, and reassembled. It seems to have helped alot! I took the "long way" to work this morning, where I could do some testing without risking a ticket. No more getting to 80 and hitting a wall, now it just keeps going like I'm still at 40! I only took it up to 100, but there's a definite improvement.

Thanks guys, I never thought of the MAF. I would've replaced the whole engine before I got to that thing!

Orkin

 

[shoteen95]

wow, nice to see such a happy result from a good cleaning of a dirty MAF...

hmm..

come to think of it, i have a K&N...i should give it a good cleaning tomorrow and see if it helps..if i notice a change, i'm boycotting K&N filters...

 

[stangeater]

Let the oil dry on your filter a little before you put it back in and drive.....just like it says in the instructions. No need to boycott K&N. By the way, won't brake cleaner ruin your MAF? A mechanic told me to never use that to clean the MAF.?????

 

[oh_SHO]

I have a good experience cleaning mine too. K&N plus and previous owner that was oil happy equaled one dirty MAF. I had to wipe the oil out of the airbox from the K&N. Glad to hear that it worked out well.

 

[Redline]

By the way, won't brake cleaner ruin your MAF? A mechanic told me to never use that to clean the MAF.?????

Not sure, but considering that it is such a sensitive sensor, I only use electrical cleaner on it, dont want to damage that baby!

 

[windsormw]

I agree with red line

anything electrical i recommend LPS " no flash " ........non-flamable/aclohol contact cleaner .

Or just regular carb cleaner will work