No low end power

[yogi20m]

i have 1996 gtp, it seems to run good and all but i cant even squeek the tires from a stop, my mid and high end is great, it really moves. when i bought the car i guess a oxygen sensor was bad so the company sent the car to a shop and had the computer reset or something. I was told that if one of my oxygen sensors were bad that could be the reason for my car having no power sometimes? idk Also if i let the car sit for like 2 weeks and start it the engine will run really bad for like a min or two and the service engine soon light comes on for about a half a day and goes out. what do you guys recomend that i do take it and have it hooked up to a computer cause a code reader says theres no problems.
thanks a bunch! [/b]

[SappySE107]

You need to know what the code is for sure. THe 96/97 engines are designed for no low end, from the changed cam timing to the intake manifold design. The powerband was raised about 1000 RPM from 95 to 96, so having no low end is pretty much the norm. You can change your cam timing for more low end...or start modding your engine for more low end.

The O2 sensor should last 30k miles. A scan tool will tell you if its bad, cause the readings will be really slow (it switches from rich to lean). You can also hook up a multimeter to the I2 wire and see how fast the readings change.

[pocket-rocket]

The scan tool runs about $150 from Advance auto, and I have one for the gf's car, so if you are anywhere close to Elkhart, Indiana, I would scan it for you for free, vs taking it to a dealer and have it done for $60 or so. Only problem is it clears trouble codes and scans them, it doesn't monitor the engine when running like freescan and a laptop.

[Cliff8928]

Actually, i believe the rating on the newer oxygen sensors (as should be on a 1996) is 100,000 miles (this applies to MOST 4-wire sensors)... plus OBD II is usually picky enough to toss a code when the oxygen sensor has failed

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT <-oxygen sensor more than 5 years old
89 Volvo740

[SappySE107]

100k miles...id LOVE to see that. I dont trust them, same as 100k mile spark plugs.

[jmgtp]

100k miles...id LOVE to see that. I dont trust them, same as 100k mile spark plugs.

I have 110k on the original o2 sensor! I have a new one but I'm just too lazy to replace it. Still gets ~30mpg on the highway.

[SappySE107]

sure, you can do that...but how do you think the computer is reacting. I meant 100k and still working like it was new. No way yours is even close.. On the highway, you are at a constant speed, so no matter how slow the O2 is, it doesnt have to deal with changing conditions often.

[Anonymous]

I changed my o2 sensor at ~130k miles.... didnt notice any difference. (This is assuming it has never been changed)

[SappySE107]

ive never noticed a difference, till I hooked up the computer and saw what was going on in there.

[Cliff8928]

but I think the OBD2 computer monitors the oxygen sensors closely enough to where it knows when the oxygen sensor needs changing....

and the reccomended interval for the old sensors (1 wire) is 30,000

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[yogi20m]

when i let the car sit for like 2 weeks when and if it starts right away the engine runs really rough and shakes alot then the service engine soon light comes on for like a day or so. does that sound like a bad o2 sensor or what else

[Cliff8928]

well, check the codes in the computer first... then work from there..

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[pendan]

It may be due to the fact that your engine isn't designed to produce low end power?

Smaller engines are generally designed with a high RPM power band (4000+).

There probably isn't anything wrong with your engine, just the fact that its not designed to have gobs of power in the low end (provided its stock)

If you want low end power, get a supercharger / turbo (at least 8 psi or so for a significant gain)

Personally, i'd probably go with 18-20 psi
Just kidding..

[Mitch DOHC]

i had the same problem with my 1994 3.4 dohc... and i went with a protourk high stall converter (2800 to 3100) stall speed that greately raised my low end befor the converter it was just like yours it wouldent even squeek the tires now it will leave 10 feet of tracks

[Anonymous]

Re: No low end power

I was told that if one of my oxygen sensors were bad

Maybe having more than one might be your problem

If you want low end power, get a supercharger / turbo (at least 8 psi or so for a significant gain)

WTF??? A turbo, ESPECIALLY ON A 3.4 DOHC, will hurt low end. It will not make boost until around 3000-3500 rpm. Unless you run a really small turbo, but then you will run out of power by 5 or 6000 rpm, and that is where the 3.4L N/A is pulling hardest.

And 8psi on a old motor is pure genious