car has no balls, and pings in high RPM

[1994Vib.RedGT]

So recently my car just straight up feels like it lacks the balls it once had. I feel like there is no torque. The exhaust is a lot quieter than it used to be. It sounds like air is rushing out of my engine (like the sound from an air hose you use to fill tires), and it pings like hell from about 3900 to redline. I took it from 0-60 a few minutes ago just to check and it felt like it took about 7-8 seconds, which is damn slow, Ive hit it in less than 6 before. Ive cleaned my maf, replaced cap and rotor, spark plugs, plug wires are one year old, new header gaskets, and exhaust leaks recently sealed, i just dont know what the problem is.

 

[1994Vib.RedGT]

anyone?

 

[cbarr300]

vacuum leak?

 

[HISSIN50]

If it feels like it's being held back at higher RPM/load, I'd have to wonder if there either isnt a fuel issue (starvation) or possibly an exhaust restriction. The muted exhaust note is what makes me think this. I've only encountered it with a broken cat though (which you dont have). I have heard of mufflers clogging but not experienced it.

Should you desire to test for exhaust restrictions:
Grab a vac gauge. Your mitivac will work if you have one. Hook it up to manifold vac. Now hold the throttle rock steady at 3K RPM. The vac reading should be stable and fairly strong. Now let it keep running at this constant 3K RPM (the exact value doesnt matter, give or take several hundred RPM - not wavering the RPM's does matter). See if the vac reading starts to drop off after say 30 seconds. If so, that suggests an exhaust restriction.

Back to fuel starvation: you should see a lean code if this is the case. Pull codes if you have not already. Watch FP when it acts up if you can (cowl mounted gauge, etc, should you have one).

Good luck.

 

[cbarr300]

potato up the tailpipe?

never know...

 

[phillipstheman1]

could have a mass air problem that sounds kinda similar to what mine did my exhaust didnt really sound a whole lot diff though but then agin half the time i am running open headers

 

[punksable]

clean the maf

hey clean your maf, my wife's car did the same thing, it was runing real lean, check engine light came on too saying oxygen sensors were bad, i would clean it then reset your computer and go from there.

 

[Fopar]

could be plugged up cats....

 

[RAD]

could be plugged up cats....

He got bassani off road x

 

[Synned]

I know that this probably isnt the solution...but if I were you I would try replacing the ACT with a resistor. Does the car feel good before it warms up? Did you notice this start to happen with hot weather? I'm just wondering and would love to see more stang reactions with this mod.

 

[TheDamned]

potato up the tailpipe?

never know...

 

[1994Vib.RedGT]

sorry for back from the dead, I cleaned MAF, replaced cap and rotor, fixed broken header gasket, all that schitt. The pinging is still there, and it still feels kind of low on power, I can barely break the tires loose from a 1st gear roll anymore, and not even a 2nd gear chirp.

As for the ACT, what exactly is that one, I cant remember. I know what the IAT sensor is, is this the same thing?

 

[HISSIN50]

I know what the IAT sensor is, is this the same thing?

Yeppers.

Air Charge Temp sensor versus Intake Air Temp sensor. Generally in EEC IV speak, IAT used for sensors in the inlet tubing and ACT is used for sensors in the intake itself (like a fox III). But the sensors serve the same purpose.

 

[95WhiteVenom]

I had a similar prob. a lil over a year ago i changed everything under the sun. Mine ended up being the whole freaking dizzy. changin the cap didn't help i swapped out the electric thingy (i forgot what its called) still didnt help. Swapped out my dizzy for an MSD,...its been good ever since.