97 240 kicking and losing power while driving

[98SilviaSE]

well I started having this problem a few weeks back and I tried searching here and google and couldnt find anything relevant but my car has been acting weird lately, where when Im driving it will just kinda start bucking like all cylinders arent firing for a second. the car will be running fine and driving fine and with no set timing or conditions it just loses all power, usually within the 2000 to 5000 rpm range. when it first started doing it it would only do it under a higher load and if I upshifted it would be less noticable due to the rpms being so low and power output being so low but now it started doing it randomly whether im driving on the street or if Im on the interstate when the rpms or load conditions dont change. I mean, its a really forceful kick.. I know where to start looking i.e. the ignition but I didnt know if anyone had had this problem before. its just weird and embarrassing when Im trying to leave a light and it just starts kicking. once or twice it has been so bad Ive had to pull over because Ill hold the gas at the same place and it will do it on and off. so, does anyone have any suggestions on what to test? or previous experiences? any suggestions (other than taking it to a shop haha) would be greatly appreciated!

[98s14inaz]

That sounds familiar. It just feels like the car falls on it's face right? I ended up replacing lots of stuff too. It turned out I didn't have my timing set right and the cap and rotor were shot.

[stutterr]

Tune up...check your MAF. Do you have a stock airbox?

[n240sxfnatic]

Check ur knock sensor.