well i have bad news, it is most likely the transmission. i had a guy who has a formula come over and look at my car and he said that my engine was fireing fine it's just not getting power to the wheels so i have no power in the high rpms. It makes a lot of sense when you drive it, it just feels like there is a worn out gear that needs to be replace. do you know how much a new tranny is? thnks for the replies.

 

I got a new tranny from the GM dealer for $2400. If you're losing power, it is most likely a band, not a gear. Does the engine chug or anything at higher RPM or is it just down on power? Also, how does the guy know it is firing fine in the upper RPM range?

 

well i'm still not sure what it is, i took a plug out today and it looked farily tan, but it was oem. i don't think they have ever been replaced, so that could be part of my problem. i am going to do the rest when i get the money. another thing it could is the trans. when i get into the high rpm the gear could be so worn that it slips and i lose power. Maybe? thanks for the replies.

 

IF its the tranny, please dont buy one from the dealer. You can buy a built one for the same price that they will charge u.

 

What scott said. They ripped me off big time when I brought mine in. Even had to bring it back again to replace the driveshaft seal.

Thing is, you wouldn't have "slipping gears", you'd have slipping bands. Gears do not wear out like you think, and if they did you wouldn't be slipping, you would be breaking a ton of stuff. Shift it into manual 1st or 2nd and see if you can go anywhere. If you can't and it seems like a "neutral", it is 100% a band.

 

well now i'm not sure sure that it is the transmission. I ran it in first second and third and they are all fine. I'm pretty sure that it is the plugs. i put one new one in when i took the old one out. when i took it out( actually i didn't take it out, my friend showed my how to do it) he cracked the porcelin at the top becuase it was so brittle. i'm sure these havent been replaced since the car was made. with just one new spark plug i felt a small but definete difference in power. after i do all eight i will come back with results. i have a couple more questions though. Should i also do wires becuase it would make sense and do you guys have any recomendations of what spark plugs to buy and any other things that i should replace at 111000 miles? thanks for replies.

 

If you want to get **** about it...

--Replacement list--
opti
wires
plugs
coil
seals/gaskets
o2 sensors
cat (already done )
bushings
and a whole lot of other things

Now if you want to be practical about it...

--Practical Replacement list--
wires
plugs
maybe 02 sensors (if they're fine, leave them)
maybe coil (also, if it's not broken, why fix it?)

Wires are not a must, but can help. They don't make any horsepower, they just help the engine run better. Plugs, really doesn't matter on brand. A lot of people call the TRK 55 or something (don't know the exact name/part number) a "performance" thing, but honestly, they are just a normal old spark plug. I went to the local auto store and got some same old same olds for $1.50 a piece, put them in, haven't had a problem. The plugs are a real big pain in the booty, unless you have thin arms then your ok .

These engines are not as weak as everyone thinks. My car has 182,000 miles with almost stock everything (opti, wires, basically everything but plugs and oil), and it runs and hauls like an ox.

I still say plugs. If your manual 1st/2nd is still working the way it should, then you are safe.....for now....

 

thanks a lot for that detailed reply, my friend who did my first plug is very thin but he also has a lot of muscle. he did it by feel becuase his arms are thin enough to get down beneath the headers. i have noticed a big difference in power just from doing that one plug and i will do the rest as soon as i get the money. my friend also told me that it is easiest to do the last two plugs from under the car. luckily my neighbor has a lift. he has a 67' stingray convertible on it but he said anytime i wanna use it he will move his car. oh i forgot, i want to put a cai on it, does brand and type matter a lot or do they all just basically do the same thing? thanks again.

 

Where are you located?

-Dustin-

 

No CAI brand does not matter, it basically comes down to looks and personal preferance.

Yes some of the plugs are easier to get to under the car, although I did all mine from above...somehow...so it is possible.

 

i live in a suburb of chicago to answer your question. well i'm still waitin on money to buy my plugs but i sure hope they fix the problem cause i don't even wanna know how much a new tranny is.

 

$2400 from the dealer.

I got ripped off though...

 

has anybody replaced their optispark themselves? do you know what you have to take off to get to your opti spark and is it possible for somebody who has never done it before? or do you know where there is a place where you can read about how to do it? thanks for replies.

 

I did mine for the first time with just the help of my G/F. You have to remove on fan [unclip plug and unbolt 4 screws]. Drain coolant, remove the waterpump, I think 6-8 bolts. Then remove the opti, maybe 4 more bolts. Refill coolant, make sure wires are right. Its pretty easy after its done, but was intimidating to take on when I'd never done it before. I honestly bet you could find alot of Chicago guy who would be willing to help. Try posting in the IL regional section.

-Dustin-

 

thanks for the quick reply. do you know where i could get a good opti for not too much cash. i have a 93 so i don't think it is vented.