help -not much power

[jt5]

First time posting, so plz be patient..
My 91 RT/TT seems to not have much power when I hit the accelerator. It will finally power up when the turbo kicks in. Timing belt was recently replaced. I think I also get detonation, light backfiring when I let go of the accelerator. I changed the spark plugs, but no help. This lack of power is evdident through all gears. The bottom end of the gear has no power, but when the turbo kicks in and it get near top end of the gear all seems fine. Also, the other day I had to back up through a slight incline, after having the car off for about 20 minutes, and when I hit the accelerator, the engine didn't even rev up. Any ideas? I was thinking the fuel pump, but didnt want to start throw money into a ton of new parts, if someone can help me isolate the problem?

[Igovert500]

How many miles you have on it?
Other than the plugs and belt, what other maintaince has been done in the last 60k, and when.

Any check engine lights?

When you say the power just isn't there, does it do any bucking, jerking, or on and off hesistation?

I'd really start with the air and fuel filters. But more info would help.

[jt5]

Just changed the air filter and fuel filter. The car has 94000 miles.
If the car is cold, yes it will buck. When it's warm, if I put it into gear and give it gas, the car VERY slowly accelerates until the turbo kicks in, then all feels well. I've had the car on the highway doing 70-90 MPH and it feels smooth.

[youngvr4]

our cars have basically no turbo lag. so if your feeling that,i would think either an air problem, or turbo's

[jt5]

Can you explain about the no turbo lag...this is the first turbo car I've owned. I assumed that the car would have acceleration and when the turbos kicked in additional boost would be provided.
Could a fuel pump or wires cause the symptoms I've described?
Let me know if you need any additional info.

[Igovert500]

OK, what plugs did you put in, and what did you gap them to?

On and off hesistation sounds like spark blowout.

Also pressure test hte intake. With 100k on the car, if you havn't done it before, gaurenteed you are losing alot of power through boost leaks.

http://www.stealth316.com/2-pressuretester.htm

[jt5]

I used the Bosch platinum 4.. I believe gapping was not necessary..
could the spark blowout be caused by faulty wires..and is there a way to test the rear wires without removing the plenum?

[Stealthee]

Ditch those god awful plugs for one. They are useless junk. Also you said the tbelt was recently changed. Did the problem begin then? If so your base timing prolly needs set via the CAS on the rear head.

[jt5]

Well, the car was stored for while..Long Story...Anyway, had a mechanic, or so I thought he was, replacing the Timing belt for me. He could never get the timing belt to set right...it kept jumping off...he finally, after months, got the tool to make the belt stay...
I guess i should use the stock NGK plugs...
You lost me on the CAS...

I know just enough mechanics to keep myself perpetually in trouble.

[Igovert500]

Yeah, those plugs suck. NGK platinums are good. Copper is even better if you have a few power mods, but they have to be replaced a bit more often.

Anyway, you said the car sat, have you run through a full tank of gas yet? If not, get through the full tank, and add in some STP fuel treatment.

CAS:
http://www.stealth316.com/2-cas-91-92.htm

The link is for replacing it, which isn't necessary, but there is also i link on that page for checking the timing.

[jt5]

I've put about 1000 miles on the car since I got it back..
thanks for the suggestions...
i guess i'll just have to start plugging away at all the components