Fuel Pump or Filter?

My car is lagging when I hit the gas or should I say "Put Putting" Like the Fuel pumping isn't doing it's job. It is really bad when I take turns. The car almost dies. I have to give more clutch just to keep it running. I already bought my Fuel filter. Does it sound like it could be the Fuel pump?
Thanx

Its a good place to start, but I wouldn't rule out the pump going bad especially if your over the 100K mile mark either.

I put filter on and it is still the same. Guess I will have to try the pump.

Could also just need a full tune up. Plugs, wires, coil pacs if 2200, plugs, boots, ignition module if 2.4L

I had the Surging before and it was due to a bad spark plug wire. Was mis firing like a bitch while trying to accelerate.

Ya it backfires out of my air intake cone bad. I bought some 10.2 mm wires awhile back. I wonder if one of them went bad.
The fuel pump is in the fuel tank itself right?

Yes, you'd need to drop the whole fuel tank and disconnect the 2 fuel lines and the Evap line as well, then the big fill hose.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/8969/20080531image0005afx8.jpg

my old rusted POS one...

I upgraded to the plastic tank

Man that looks tuff to do. Well I started the car and did the plug wire test when pulling one out at a time and they seem to be ok.

My girl has a 95 cavalier and her car was doing same thing mine is doing. Ended up being her pump. Her tank was so old that rust was running through the lines and messed things up. So I ordered a new tank and pump. Never thought of getting plastic one. Good idea. Going to put it all on today. Will update if it worked for future help for others.

Thanx for the help. Well needed!

UPDATE


It was the fuel pump. 5 hours, pitch black darkness and a cellphone light later and it's done....hehe

Runs like a dream now. No hesitation what so ever.

Thanx for the help Classicrocjunkie!

I need to replace the pump on my 97 Cav. Any helpful tricks you can offer that may make it easier?
Thanks

Yea, run all the fuel out of it before you drop it. Other wise, its a real fun chore. Use a jack and a piece of 1x6 or something for support.

I had to do it by myself at 4 in the morning. Make sure you run most of your gas out before you change it so it is not so heavy. I have to use a transmission jack to jack the tank back up to get the straps on. But if you have a few people helping, you wont need any of that.

Be sure to take the pump out SLOWLY or you will break the (floater?). I did when I took out the bad one. So I learned my lesson when I took the good one out. Hope all works out.