1996 3.8 liter sluggish

hi, my 96 camaro with 87k on the clock is not doing what i think it should. it only gets 25 mpg. the take off power is horrible and most of the time it has to shift out of overdrive to climb a small hill. this car is a convertible so it weighs less i guess. i had a 97 bonneville that had the 3800 engine and it would run circles around this car. the check engine light has not come on . any thoughts i have a new set of double platimun plugs for it. if the plugs were shot wouldnt it set a code as a missfire and turn the check engine light on. the air filter is new. thanks steve

Why didnt you get new wires? Plugs arent anything without the wires, also sounds like you need a freaking tune up so get new air/gas/oil filter and use some STP (Fuel injection cleaner) and your car should be running like it should.

well man u are in luck....i also have a 96 3800, and when i first got it she ran like crap as well. first off replace the plug and wires, change the oil and filter, get a new exaust set up, the stock one sucks ass, get a cold air intake the air box sucks, change your belt im sure that one is shot if u havent yet, and run the car for codes just to make sure everything else is ok with the car

I know a thing or two about them.

1 First off the ignition system and the COILS +wires, they might be getting there or at least one of them. So get that tested.( most likely) (If bad replace all of them) they get heat soaked all the time and fail. Very common

2 Fuel pressure including the filter too. (replace)

3 Some crapy ass cheap O2 sensor from Taiwan you using. (maybe) Replace if old

4 maybe some crazy vacuum leak?


5 Or all of these together.


6 Or crapy cracked cat with plugged up rotten muffler.


7 or bad comp.


Any other symtomps of the car running a bit lean or too rich? Whats the exhaust smell like? Are the plugs with preset gap on them?

3.8s are easy engines and pretty dependable + reliable

Also you arent telling us something. Why did you change the plugs? Missfiring a lot?

The code will be set if you get detonation.

thanks for the replies. i havent had the plugs changed yet. but i was going to have a new set of quality plug wires installed. the belt has been changed as the idler came all to peices one night on the highway. the idler never made any noises. i always keep my oil changed sometimes to soon. always run :2cents: modil 1 oil in everything i own. i have a k&n air filter i am going to install today. i used lucas fuel injector cleaner it didnt help.
i was thinking of swapping ecm,s just to be sure. the check enging light never comes on while the engine is running. it also has the factory oxygen sensors. i will keep everyone posted. thanks again steve

whats up with that factory O2 sensor. Is the original or just Ac replacement? They should be changed at least each 30000 miles.


Also test the coils like I sad they are maybe crap with wires because of temperature. And if you have been running with crappy wires for a while the spark may actually ground to the coil and fry it. See if it jumps somewhere in the dark.

How is the catalytic converter is doing. Missfiring can cause the cta to plug thats why theres no power.

Surprisingly the convertible is heavier.......it was a shock to me..

they are.

fo sho
:thumbsup:

verts need more bracing and crap.. adn have a solid metal trunk, nto the plasticish hatch... def. heavier

thanks i will check them in the dark. i got my old 85 iroc out yesterday and fired her up always starts on the first try. been a year since i drove her. damn that thing will get up and go. it is an original with 168,000 miles on it. only problems ever was fuel pump alternator water pump tires battery. and regular oil and transmission fluid changes. red and loaded.
steve

I have a trans am with orig 125m. Before that I had an IROC with 100000 miles.

update. had premium ignition wires and double platimum spark plugs installed and the camaro runs great now. next is a cold air induction. then exhaust. thanks everyone. :smokin:

good deal and remember... 3" exhaust = win

sweet