Firebird_Outlaw

I recently purchased my '99 TA with a 6 speed. This is basically the first car I've ever driven with power so I don't really have any experience to compare it against.

Basically, I don't think its as powerful as it should be. When I floor it it seems to take a few moments to react and it doesn't seem to launch like a 305hp would. Its got 77K on it. How can I test to see if its up to par or if I need to get something fixed (plugs, wires, etc). It starts up like a dream and its idle is about 600-700 (is that normal or too low?).

Also, when your at a dead stop, and get the car going in first gear, how low do you get the RPMs? I keep thinking I get them too low because I here that chugging sound. So whats the lowest you hold the RPMs at when starting from a dead stop.

Sorry for the stupidity, but I would like some answers from you pros.

Thanks.

steelerfan

Could be time for plugs & wires if they were never changed before,but be prepared,back plug on passenger side is a real bear to get.As far as rpm launch from alight,(not racing),I never really looked,just kinda went by the sound of the motor,but I would say between 1000-1500 rpm's.Good luck with your car,I love mine.

SSinfull

Well IMO the LS1 in general feels kinda slugish until mid-upper RPM's...

If your car still feels slow in the mid-upper range then there might be a problem or your expectations might be too high

Unless your car is stalling out, sputtering, or falling on its face when you give it gas, then what your feeling is probably normal.

4.10's can cure this for you!

teke184

it is probably just the way you are driving it. letting the revs get too low for the gear you are in.

starting in 1st you should try to keep the rpms at about 1000. otherwise you'll start bogging the engine. try slipping the clutch a bit more. not really reving up and then letting the clutch out like alot of low hp cars need. honestly, the fbody has enough low end torque that you can just slowly let the clutch out without touching the gas and it should start rolling without much bogging.

6-700 rpms seems a bit low for an m6. i think stock is 850 on the manuals. could just be the tach off.

and with those miles, it can't hurt to do the plugs. wires only if you want, but for a nearly stock car that isn't really raced, and the stock wires are not burned...they should be fine. i know when i pulled my plugs at 52k 4 of the 8 plugs were missing the platnum puck...making the gap something like 0.90 instead of the 0.60 that is stock

and i agree, the ls1 doesn't have the low end thrill that the lt1 had (i owned one), but once you hit 3k...it starts to really shine!!!

just get use to driving the car...play around with rpms. you'll learn.

Meccadeth

Mine idles at 600-700 too...and stays at about 900-1000 when I'm coasting without it in gear.
I pretty much have the same take off style too, I don't give it much gas, just mostly slowly let the clutch out and give it a little throttle.
Most of the time I drive with the RPMs between 900-1500. It gets kind of retarded when you cruise in a lower gear at 2000 + RPMs. I want my engine to last a while and not get 15 MPG, so I keep it at low RPMs under more load for better care and gas milage. A lot of people will say your "bogging" in 6th gear at 900 RPM Most of these guys have probably never driven an M6 LS1. It only bogs if your trying to go full throttle in 6th gear at something like 45 MPH, in which case your probably a moron or an asian lady anyway. There is absolutely nothing wrong with cruising in 6th gear at 45 MPH. (Z06 Corvettes can cruise in 6th gear at 35 MPH )

JimMueller

I don't think I've ever read about LS1 ignition wires failing and/or a definitive improvement by switching to Taylors, Magnecors, etc. I'd put in some NGK TR55's gapped to .055 and skip the wires.

I learned to drive stick with my Z28. Before that my experience came down to three times:

1) Driving a friends manual Civic on a single Saturday to prepare for #2
2) Driving a friends 94 Viper around some back streets
3) Test driving the Z28 once

My car bogs at cruise below ~1700RPM in about any gear. It could just be tuning, though. My idle is set to 850 with A/C off, and I know I raised it from stock. I think the M6's are set to idle around 650 stock. I don't have my laptop with me else I'd check my stock file.

That being said, I listen to the engine and the feel of the clutch. For mine I try to smoothly release the clutch and apply gas while keeping the RPM's right around 1000. A bit less and it hesitates. I also rev-match downshifting to ease transitions.

Z28Venom

Hmmm..

New plugs (NGK TR55s)
New Wires (Taylors or MSD)

* New fuel filter......

mebanditws6

I just changed my plugs and wires, and my original ones were gapped at .066 (NKG's are gapped at .056). After the tuneup, it did seem to spin through 1st more easily than before. Mine also idles at 800 when warm.

Jason

SSCamaro99_3

When the car was stock I would cruise at between 1500-1800, now with the cam and gears it prefers 1700-2000. I have read some things that putting load on the motor in high gears can set up some weird harmonics. On level ground I would occassionally grab 6th at about 48-50 mph, and be turning some low rpms.

steelerfan

Yes,I forgot,replace the fuel filter as suggested by Z28Venom.I went with NGK Iridiums & MSD 8.5 Super Conductors at around 41,000 mi. If you are going through the trouble of replacing your plugs it's wise to do the wires while you're in there,but start off with the fuel filter,it's easy,takes little time,& at 77,000 you're way overdue