94Q low on power?

[sandor]

My 94Q with 170K seems to run fine: idles OK, running on all cylinders, decent power, etc.

Here's the problem...On Monday I pull up next to a guy I work with in his beater 3.4L Oldsmobile and I only pull him by 1/2 car length until 70mph and then finally get 2 lengths on him!? I was shifting manually but still something must be up. It did surge ahead briefly when it shifted each time. Maybe AC compressor wasn't shutting off at WOT?

Recent fuel filter, replaced injectors a few years ago, plugs do have 60K, occasionally have to clean MAF connector. Maybe fuel pump not flowing enough? Any ideas? Maybe I'm expecting too much? I've had the Q for 7 years and 100K and it seems to run like it always has.

Sandor

[qship96]

You are expecting too much......Q is not a corvette by any means

4000+ pounds powered by 278hp is no rocketship,regardless of what some on this board think.....new v6 camry,accord,altima would spank the Q both 0-60 and 1/4 mile all day, any day

[sandor]

Thats what I was afraid of! It's like a 93 Cutlass though...I have raced Mustang GT's in the past on the interstate and 70-120mph we're pretty even. Maybe its the standing start.

Other than nitrous that Dennis tried years ago, it seems like an ECU swap and exhaust doesn't do much. Oh well. My wife doesn't get on it much anyway.

Thanks.

[maxnix]

Sandor, please comoplete your profile.

Don't know what a 3.4L engine is (DOHC?). Seems like you might be a little down. Standing starts are not great as the G50 is not geared for that. But once up to speed, not muchelse that is the same weight should stay with you at WOT between 55-90-120-150 unless it is expensive V8 or V12 and German.

[Q45tech]

Due to upgraded lux gearing the 1994 is 1.7% [cube root of 5%] [about 0.3 seconds to 90 mph] slower in 1st and 2nd gear than the 1993.

New plugs and measure the fuel pressure under WOT acceleration on the road are the first steps.

60k is the first interval, as engines age the plugs need changing more and more often as the rings and valve seals wear and deposits build up faster and faster.

[sandor]

I'll get plugs ordered from Joe today. I wondered about the fuel pressure at WOT too. I read somewhere on this forum that the fuel pump (via controller) has 3 stages or something. Maybe it's not putting out max volume.

The 3.4L GM motor in my buddy's car is just the old pushrod V6. If it was the 3800 I'd not be so surprised that he was keeping up with me. I've also seen that standing starts are not the Q's strength.

If only I was racing him in my 200hp turbo Kawasaki ZRX motorcycle... :-)