still slow! Update... need advice!

[DavidT]

Okay guys, any suggestions will be appreciated. I just had a full 60k, and even though it is sounds good and smooth, it still lacks punch! Even when the secondaries open up (and it sounds GREAT) pickup is NOT there. I just changed out the fuel filter (in hopes of a miracle)... nothing. I've been advised to check into an exhaust leak and bad cats. Only problem is I am OVER dumping $ into the sho. Is it possible the motor is just wore out even though it sounds mean? I guess I will inspect (rather TRY to inspect) the cats per SHOTIMES. How could I tell for sure if it is an exhaust leak? I don't think the exhaust ****** gasket is leaking, but I dunno... If I need to get a hi flow y pipe w/ cats, I will. BUT I don't want to invest more $ if it will not fix my sLo shoot

<small>[ August 29, 2002, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: dkautumna ]</small>

 

[SHOfun 93]

Are you sure the a/f mix is on the money? Sounds exactly like what mine is doing, and my a/f when I had it checked was at a 10.4! REALLY rich. Also, you might want to have your motor get the drip down compression test to see what is really going on with piston ring wear, and other internals. That way you can indeed see if the motor is old and tired..hope she heals up for you..

 

[sdpatt]

An exhaust leak will not decsrease power, but it will increase noise. On the other hand, restrictions in the exhaust will absolutely **** the power output.

Tap on the cats to see if there is any loose ceramic inside. If you can't tell by that method, separate the cat ****** and look up the pipes toward the cats. You should be able to see the rear cat adn it should look like a white or gray honeycomb structure with a very fine pitch.

Also check the resonator for any loose parts from the cats as that is where much of it will end up when they disintegrate. Use a leaf blower to check the cat-back section for flow. Tape or hold the output of the blower to the flare and let 'er blow. There should be little restriction or change in pitch of the blower with it free or blowing through the cat-back.

 

[nc89sho]

just to add, this car is not running rich, if anything it was leaned out a bit when i saw it, but new o2s should have fixed that, i'm leaning toward an exhaust problem. there is a pronounced whistle when the secondarys open sometimes that sounds like it's exhaust related. there is also a loud roar from the rear exhaust manifold area.

 

[DavidT]

Where and what exactly are the catback and the resonator?
Also if the exhaust ****** gasket was leaking, she would not run slower, just louder?
Lastly, the pipe that connects the first cat to the engine looks reddish or orange, is that a normal?
Oh, while I was under there I noticed an object had oil on it. It sits shotgun in front of the oil pan and it says REMANUFACTURED eek! Is that the oil pump, and where would that oil be coming from (it could have possibly been remnants of engine cleaner though?)
P.S Terry, that hi pitched whistle/ scream has only done it that one time... it has not done it sense.

<small>[ August 24, 2002, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: dkautumna ]</small>

 

[BeatDaSHO]

The catback is exactly what it says. It's from the cats all the way back to the mufflers. The resonator is the straight pipe between the cats and mufflers. It will be thicker looking. That pipe before the cats is called the y-pipe. Is it orange/red when the car is running? Or is it just rust? If the pipe turns orange/red when the car is turned on, then you definately have a restriction in the exhaust.(probably in the cats). I would check that immediately.

Greg

 

[Mike Kopstain]

An exhaust leak will not decsrease power, but it will increase noise. On the other hand, restrictions in the exhaust will absolutely **** the power output.

I think that statement is a little confusing Scott. A leak in the exhaust will cause a huge loss of low end power, but it will not decrease overall power. So the car may feel slower however still have all of it's power.

Just a little trick to try would be to unplug the MAF and go for a drive.... I had a MAF out of calibration on my old 94' and a member (Blue) had the same think happen to his. Worth the 30 seconds it would take.

 

[Denny]

An exhaust leak messes with power. Exhaust needs a leak free travel path to it's exit regardless of the length.
However, you mentioned 60K did you do the timing belt? And if so, was it timed properly? I personally know the effects of an improperly timed belt

 

[DavidT]

Yes, I have a brand new timing belt.
If I unplug the maf, how should the car run if it is good? How should it run if it is bad?

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Well if your MAF is really out of wack the car will feel faster. If the MAF is not the problem, the car will run the same or maybe a little worse until you plug it back in.

 

[DavidT]

Well, I unplugged it, and immediately the check engine light lit up. Power wise, it ran the same, I guess. It did not shift real smooth. And in idle, the revs would pulsate from app. 850- 1200 rpms.

 

[BeatDaSHO]

Did u check that y-pipe? Scroll up. I wrote about it a couple of posts ago.

Greg

 

[luigisho]

Are you saying the crossover pipe is colored or really hot? I think the exhaust is a good place to look for obstruction. Take that previous advise and seperate the catback from the y-pipe and have a good look around. The leafblower trick sounds good too. As for the unplugged MAF, it will throw a code when unplugged and since it didn't improve things it is functioning properly.

 

[nc89sho]

i think it's the cats also, and you need to get that thick oil out of there asap. i think replaceing the Y-pipe would be a good bet.

 

[DavidT]

Hey, could the intake have vacuum leaks (intake manifold gasket SET) (all the gaskets that piece together the intake were not replaced) (it was a long enough day) be a possibility. We replaced the intake manifold gasket, though.
I am a little uneasy getting that far under the car to look into the catback and the cats. eek! I took it to a muffler shop for inspection today. There WAS one little leak right on the cat where there is a weld "spot". He said that shouldn't hurt performance though. As far as the cats being stopped up, he could not check. He advised me to take it to another place where they drill into the cat and measure "something" to see if they are stopped up. He said that the backpressure felt pretty good. So I dunno...
The 2nd cat where the 02 sensor is all the way up to the engine, is brownish orangish reddish colored, with the car turned off.
So what do you all think?

 

[DavidT]

update...
I had the cats checked today. One read 11 psi and the other was 15 psi. (I assume this is backpressure). He told me anything 5 and under was good... meaning my cats are stopped up. Can anyone verify this by the readings?
Sooooooooo, I guess my next step is a hi-perf. y pipe and cats from Shoshop. If I do this, giving me a grand total of $1500 squint (including full 60K), and I still haven't found POWER , you guys can find me at the HOnda/ricer forum. shoot

 

[Mike Kopstain]

*Cough*CatlessYpipe*cough*

 

[DavidT]

Mike check your email.
Anyone else have any much needed input?

 

[DavidT]

bump

 

[luigisho]

Have you looked around the various boards/lists to see if anyone is selling a y-pipe? I thought I saw one for sale not long ago. Look around. You may have to wait for the sho shop pipe if there isn't one laying around in house. I think they are made in batches and ...well this has been discussed at length many times before. I got mine on a group buy so the stuff was well tracked at that time.
Try SHODUDE or Tim Dahm to see if they have extras for sale. I think Ian Fisher was selling some good stuff too but this is from groggy memory so no guarantees.

<small>[ August 29, 2002, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>