98 Sierra 5.7 low HP question

[killermiller]

I bought this truck about 1.5y ago. Ever since I bought it, it seems like it is missing something. I really noticed that there may be a problem in the winter when I was towing 2 snowmachines on a trailer. Last summer the fuel pump failed and I changed it out. Oil gets changed fairly regularly. When I bought the truck I put new cap/plugs/wires on it. I am a do-it-myselfer and I don't really know what to do if it isn't actually broken. I have a AirRaid aircleaner and dual exhast on it from a local muffler shop.

My question is, how can I determine if there is a problem and where?

Thanks,

Joe

[maxwedge]

What problem? Lack of power, pretty gen'l, be more specific about the symptoms.

[killermiller]

I dunno, like always having to downshift to speed up and generally slow off of the start. The only other V8 I ever owned was a lincoln continental and I could just press the gas and speed up.

Funny thing is, sometimes if feels like it drives fine, most of the time it has a "heavy" feel.

Also when I start it sometimes it almost chokes. It always starts though. If I turn it off right away then I have to wait a second and try to fire it up again.

[maxwedge]

I'd have the fuel pressure tested and make sure you have a new fuel filter, best I can tell you here, might do a full scan for any pending issues.

[killermiller]

I changed the fuel filter last fall too. I have a fuel pressure gauge but the pin fell out somehow and it wont work. If the fuel pressue was low, what would be the next thing to look at?

[MyTOY]

I had some performace issues & an intermittent really bad idle for
a min on startup. I took it to dealer to scan because I did everything
to it I can do at home. I was skeptical of the service advisors' quick
condemnation of my injectors but that's what the tech confirmed as
the prob. I had them switch me to recommmended MFI upgrade at
the brutal cost of $725. The truck runs incredibly good now.
I hear you can have them professionaly clean the existing poppet
injectors for a reasonable price but it's only temporary.
I would suggest you have the dealer do a diagnostic scan. It's not
close to free but your prob could be anything.
GOOD LUCK

[Little Walton]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

I'd have the fuel pressure tested and make sure you have a new fuel filter, best I can tell you here, might do a full scan for any pending issues.

I got a 1996 chevy k1500 and i got duel glasspacks. I was happy with it at first but now i want somthing way louder. ive got a lot of diffrent coments on how to make it louder like i want. I want the loudest exhaste i can get do u having any ideas.

[Z15]

Originally Posted by killermiller

I dunno, like always having to downshift to speed up and generally slow off of the start. The only other V8 I ever owned was a lincoln continental and I could just press the gas and speed up.

Funny thing is, sometimes if feels like it drives fine, most of the time it has a "heavy" feel.

Also when I start it sometimes it almost chokes. It always starts though. If I turn it off right away then I have to wait a second and try to fire it up again.

Have you put the stock air cleaner back on to see if the air raid is the problem?

How about the dual exhaust system, is the cat converter still on the truck?

Also, are you running oversize tires. Tires not stock to your truck?