My engine has no low end power/grunt ..help

[Dunebilly]

Hello i have an 87 gn engine with stock meat and potatoes . the engine picks up nicely when moving but for instance if i park with my wheels in like a small pothole i have to gass the hell out of it to get over the tiny bump froma dead stand still. then it moves seemingly fine its like if i brake and give it throttle the brakes overpower the torque of the engine and i have no push to spin the tires at all! does anyone have any ideas what could cause this? thanks, George

 

[QUIP'6']

Sounds normal for a stock setup. Unless you have a roller cam and a good Converter

 

[Dunebilly]

any recommendations for a converter to upgrade to ?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

B4 U start throwing parts at it, maybe take a look at the tune, etc??
U have any data logs, Scanmaster info??

 

[Amelio]

+2 whit what Chuck said......

Also is this the first time you have driven a TR? If so it also may be a good idea to find another TR owner in your area to go for a drive and determine if it is just a "stock car" feel or if there is an issue.

You say "you have to gas the hell out of it" that could possibly be a converter issue best thing is to get some readings if possible and find some one close to you to go for a drive.

 

[Dunebilly]

thanks for the input
This is my first turbo buick so i am glad this forum is here and you guys can share some knowledge. Well its that i put an 87 engine in it and since then i can't for the life of me to get the wheels to break free if i foot brake it even it just has no umph but the 85 engine wouldwith out really too much effort. the mid and higher end has much more response. I do have a scanmaster and am learning what to aim for for readings

 

[GNDriven]

Making power is the easy part for these motors, but no one (that cares) is going to start throwing power mods at you, when your in first statements you seem a little green to the Buicks. If you don't already know these motors are very sensitive the tune and boost. The senior Buick guys are going to tell you to SLOW UP and figure out what you have first. You need to get your current setup in a state that is not harming the engine. This includes obtaining diagnostic capability, adequate fuel delivery, boost control (less than 17 psi for 93),turbo knowledge, etc. Then when you feel comfortable, you can start adding power mods under a developed understanding of how it all relates.

 

[Blazer406]

These motors stock are pretty lame when not on boost. They are just old school (at least the longblock is) low compression anemic 3.8 motors. The combination GM put together when they combined electronic port fuel injection, distributorless ignition, turbocharged and intercooled, etc.... turned these once anemic motors into very strong torque monsters. Think of it like this..... when not under boost... these are just 231 cu in of low compression low tech.... low torque motors..... at 15 psi boost.... they "think" they are 462 cubic inches....... because of the packed air from the turbo. They wake up fairly quick.

IMHO, it isn't a far fetch if you are used to V8 low end grunt that you think these cars are a dog when not in boost.

With that said, I echo what others have said and find someone that knows these cars to check yours out and see if it is performing as it should.