98 trans am no power

[red98ta]

hi guys, my car has been acting up for awhile now and im gettin really pissed. The car seems to hove no power, from take off or driving 60 and punching it is a turd. just did plugs and wires not that long ago, just installed new slp mass air sensor, bout to put on slp loudmouth. i dont know what to do any more. the car is just slow it seems like a v6. any ideas? thanks

[red00bird]

Take the maf sensor off put the stock one back on then try it

[SMWS6TA]

First off welcome to the site and it's great to have another fellow 98 in the club house.


SLP MAF is the problem - there have been many reported issues using aftermarket MAFs. The stock one is actually a great one, good for up to around 500 hp cars. I don't hate all SLP products but the MAF is a known issue.


Do you have a stock MAF or know a buddy that will let you use his just for a test?


One more way to help determine is disconnect the wire harness at the MAF, let it run on the defualt density tune. See of it helps or makes it run worse.


Also I don't see mention but are you running a K&N filter or something like it?

[godless-phoenix]

maybe your transmission is going out? any more details on how your car is driving and any other mods youve done would help...

[red98ta]

i do have the k&n filter the one that is wide open, no other mods have been done. i just dont understand why there are is no power. my buddy has a 2000 camaro and it has high miles and it screams. im stumped

[chris1974]

Welcome Red. I have a 98 also. How many miles are on her? How was she running prior to installing the SLP? You say it's been acting up for a whille now- do you remember when it started?

[red98ta]

thanks, 139,XXX mi ive had the car for 5 years, and it hasnt been right for a while say a couple years. just thought it was a bad mas air sensor or just needed a tune up, but not the case.

[chris1974]

It hasn't thrown any codes?

[red98ta]

yeah smog pump, but that should'nt have anything to do with it. right?

[chris1974]

dunno about smog pump.... Could it be a bad cat??

[red98ta]

well when i put on new exhaust think im takin it off.

[0rion]

where at in Ohio? It could be a few things really. The best thing is to log the car if you have access to a scanner that will let you see live data. See what your fuel trims look like and things like that. What you're describing does sound like it could be a plugged cat to me. They almost act like an engine brake and make the car have next to no acceleration. Either that or it's loading up with fuel but normally if that's the case there will be other symptoms.

[red98ta]

im in newark ohio. when i get the exhaust should i take the cat off?

[Smittro]

im in newark ohio. when i get the exhaust should i take the cat off?

I would if you can..

You don't want it on there if it's pluged up as it can harm your engine as well as hurt performance.

Hell you don't want it if it's working..

[0rion]

im in newark ohio. when i get the exhaust should i take the cat off?

I'm not very far from you.......I'm in Lancaster. Yes....I'd yank those cats. A plugged cat will cause exactly what you're describing. Let the weather warm up and settle in and if you haven't got it figured out by then I can give you a hand with it. I have hptuner and efilive.

[88gtman]

I agree with everyone else. Sounds like a clogged up cat to me.

[red98ta]

thanks a bunch, just received slp exhaust today does it need 02 sensors installed?

[jsmith564`]

yes, you need o2 extensions. most vendors carry them.

[Smittro]

thanks a bunch, just received slp exhaust today does it need 02 sensors installed?

Yes but you only surely need your front 2,, left and right banks as those are related to AFR's (air fuel ratio).

The cat 02's can be eliminated with no adverse performance effects.

You will get a cat code and a SES (service engine soon) light but that can be turned off with a tune.

[cammed goat]

Keep us posted OP. We can help some more if needed.