A little bit of back round; its a 1998 3.8 with a 5 speed, it has about 44K on the engine and 127K on the body. I was driving home tonight and while i was accelerating the seemed like all the power was gone with a certain amount of throttle in any gear. It feels like the clutch was slipping bad. when its idling it smooth and everything but the exhaust is like pulsating, I can feel it when i put my hand in front of the exhaust and see it because it is cold out. The pulsating is random. what could be wrong with it? I wont drive it until its fixed so i dont make what ever it is worse.
fast responses will be greatly appreciated.

 

Might not be getting enough fuel?

 

check fuel pressure. could be a plugged catalytic converter. are you getting a ses light? scan for codes and see what comes up.

 

The ses light has been on for a long time because of the code for catalytic converter below efficiently. The problem happened pretty much instantly. I will try to get to auto zone this weekend to scan it. but in the mean time any more probable causes?

 

Well as to what craby said, the cat could be your problem then...

 

Replacing that has been on my to do list for a while anyways. Is this a good cat to buy? and would I expect any more power and mpg from it? Magnaflow/Catalytic Converter (99306HM) | 1998 Chevrolet Camaro 6 Cylinders K 3.8L SFI OHV | AutoZone.com it is universal so i would have a exhaust shop weld it in.

 

if you have a plugged cat then you will see increased performance and mpg after the install. if its not plugged then the biggest difference you will have is sound. it would be a good idea to check the spark plugs and 02 sensors for fouling (all black) they can get fouled because of the poor exhaust flow

 

I scanned it and the only code i got was p0420: cat below threshold.

 

Does MN have emissions? If not, just gut the cat and put it back on. Or you just have to replace.

 

no emissions here. i want to replace it because members here said no cat makes the exhaust sound really raspy. But the more i think about it the less likely it seem it would be a cat. It just doesnt make sense. Its all most like its not buring enough fuel or something. im going to bring it to a tomorrow to see if they can figure anything out. if anyone else has any other ideas that would be great.