A little after I shift to 5th (96 t/a 3.42s) like right at 120 my car jerks violently. I have no clue what it is...or how exactly to explain it, but it can't be normal

 

Does it jerk left/right or is it bucking?? Front end or trans???

 

speed governer?

 

Only at 120 or just in 5th gear?

 

If you can't go beyond this speed my guess would be your speed governor. My Trans Am has one and when you're going full throttle when that engages, its like hitting a brick wall.

Now if you were casually cruising up to that speed, it would give the jerking motion you describe.

The reason why my trans am has a governor is because, well the ONLY reason i can find is because when the person first bought back in her 000012 odometer days they never got the z rated tire package and such...therefore a governor was slapped on from the factory.

i could be talking out of my @ss as well i'm certain thats what it is though

 

Maybe the driveshaft?

 

It happened while I was racing, and the other time giving a friend a ride so I was full throttle both times. I don't know what happens right after the jerk, because your instinct to just get off the gas as quickly as possible. And I don't wanna try it again. I don't know if it would do it at 120 is 6th or not...not very safe testing this stuff out...haha.

 

I'd put money on it that its a governor.

 

I don't have that problem...No governor here!

 

I'd say governor as well. time to get an HPP3 and raise the limiter to 255.
BTW, have yoiu ever gone past 120mph? And do you know if the car was origninally sold at a dealer in the northern VA/DC area? I've heard that cars sold up there had low speed limiters (120 pops into mind) set on them regardless of what tires came on the car.

 

Honestly couldn't tell you where it originally came from. Could be very possible it's from that area though. I haven't and honestly don't want to see what happens if I keep going. Like I said my first reaction when it jerks or whatever is to let off. Although if it was a governor doesn't the car shut off??? Could it possibly be tires...is that a possibility. I have Comp t/a and I hate them.

 

its the speed governor.... my formula did it right at 115... at first i was like HOLY **** WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT???!?!?! then i figured it out.... yep its the governor.... i would put the slip on my car down on that...

 

Scarey as hell for me the 1st time it happened. Its the Gov. Just another example of trying to keep the .,.,

 

Absolutely false[IN the USA at least... maybe you are talking about a 'canada' thing?]
Any car that was ordered with Z[speed] rated tires did not have a speed limiter at 110... [I might agree that they had one at MUCH higer[255?] that's arguable..]
Many Fbody's came without any limiter at 110..
Charlie

 

My car is from Virginia/D.C. area, Dulles to be exact. No speed goverenor, and it definitely wasn't removed by the previous owner, because he did NOTHING at all to the car.