2001 Cav 2.2L engine problem

[Tim the 2Lman]

I changed the fuel pump about 3 weeks ago with the filter to fix a crank no run problem. With that, the car ran great. It came back to me with an extreme loss of power and little to no acceleration. They told me they heard a pop followed by a whine and loss of power. I checked the fuel pressure and changed the filter again for grins with no change. When I go WOT it makes a lot of intake noise like the catalytic converter is plugged shut. However, I get a lot of air volume out of the tailpipe. But, I disconnected the exhaust @ the manifold and it acted the same way. I noticed that with a timing light on it, I get what looks to be twice the pulses than what I expect. I took the ICM out and had it tested. It tested bad so I replaced it. Same problem. After three ICM's (2 used and one new) I determined that the parts house's tester was bad. Took it somewhere else and it tested good(the original). The coils also got changed in the process. I replaced the PCM with a re-conditioned one...same problem. Fuel pressure runs 55psi min all the time. No intake leaks that I can find. the TPS appears to be functioning normally as well as the MAP sensor. Plugs are double platinum and other than carboned up a little, look fine. Compression is 195psi-210psi. The only code coming up on the PCM is P0300 random cylinder misfire. The maximum rpm it will reach is about 4K and then cuts out, drops to 1500rpm and slowly revs back up. You really have to work with it to get it to rev up. I'm really at a loss here. Anybody got ideas to bounce back, please feel free. Thanks.

[pappyl]

Interesting problem...

Is it flooding out when you step on it? Check IAC may be stuck wide open.

Is the problem fire or fuel?

Your PCM error could be caused by rich condition, but maybe not. I assume the 2001 has a CPS (cam position sensor) which may be the cause of timing problems.

Gotta get that beast on a scanner and watch it as you step on it - make sure the timing advances properly.