02 Impala lacks power

While driving my Impala (40k miles), it seems to lack power when accelerating. Symptoms include:
1. If I am at a stop or driving slow and then step on the accelerator hard, it takes the car about 2-3 seconds to accelerate, then it jerks hard.
2. And when it does start accelertating, the cars sounds like a Harley.
3. Also transmission does not shift smoothly.
4. I check transmission fluid and it's fine.
5. I replaced the air filter the 1st time ever.
6. I put some STP fuel injector cleaning in the tank.
(When I replaced the air filter and put that STP stuff in it, the symptoms worsened!)

Do I have a transmission problem? A fuel filter problem? Somewhere in the fuel system? How difficult is it to replace the fuel filter?

My 02' does the same thing. we were 150mi. into a 200mi. trip leaving a toll both and the car made a pop and fell on its face. now the check engine light is on with random multiple cylinder misfire, and EGR flow circuit codes. the car has no power and it makes a whistleing noise at higher rpm's. Had the cat checked and its fine. checked for vac. leak and can't find one. I'm gonna drop the exhaust and double check. already checked the air box and changed the fuel and air filter. still searching for where the whistle is coming from

My 02' does the same thing. we were 150mi. into a 200mi. trip leaving a toll both and the car made a pop and fell on its face. now the check engine light is on with random multiple cylinder misfire, and EGR flow circuit codes. the car has no power and it makes a whistleing noise at higher rpm's. Had the cat checked and its fine. checked for vac. leak and can't find one. I'm gonna drop the exhaust and double check. already checked the air box and changed the fuel and air filter. still searching for where the whistle is coming from


What changes did you see when you replaced you fuel filter? Where is the darn fuel filter?

I didn't see any diff. The fuel filter is in front of the left rear tire(drivers rear). It's held in by a bracket bolted to the floorpan (13mm). the rear filter connection is a quik connect clip. and the front is 21mm and 15mm. I used 13/16 and 5/8 but they were a little off. be sure and use line wrenches because they are pretty tight.

I had a monte carlo with the same symptoms. except for whistle finally ended up pulling the injectors. When i did black gunk poured out of the fuel rail (last time I used Wal-mart gas). the only thing keeping me from jumping straight on that, besides the whole laziness thing, is the whistle. it's gotta be an air blockage somwhere.

Catalytic converter and feul filter were bad. They are also going to re-time the system and clean the feul system. Now I have a 3yr/36k warranty, but I have 40k miles. In Cali, any emission items is underwarranty until 50k to 100k depending on the part. For the cleaning and re-timing, it's going to run me $175 at a Chevy service dept. My fears that the transmission might be the problem has ceased!

Thanks, I'm gonna drop the exhaust tomorrow and see if it clears up. then itst to the dealer.