So recently I completed my engine swap (stock for stock) of the 2.8's and I did a test drive today and it seems to not have power when I put my foot to the floor (literally while in 1_st gear. I wasn't even able to spin the tires and the asphalt was soaked!). I mean my old iron duke had more guts than this. I'm thinking it's a vacuum leak but I can't hear a hiss or whistle and at rest the engine idles fine and revs fine. I'll be fetching the codes before I proceed with anything.
I'm worried it might be the transmission but it shifts fine with no grinding. The shifter could use a rebuild though (already have the kit). It doesn't feel stiff enough.
I changed the oil, filter and next week I will be doing the transmission oil (to syncromesh) and axle seals (haven't done this before but after all the threads I've read and the how-to in the cave I'm fairly confident I can have the job done in 4 hours). Am I able to get something to completely flush out the old tranny oil? I'll ask at Lordco as well before I buy what I need.

[This message has been edited by G_Reaper (edited 05-28-2011).]

Plugged cat?

Check your timing





If the SES light wasn't flashing during the entire time you were setting the timing, your power will be off.

My first thought was similar to Patrick's ... one easy way to tell is to remove the O2 sensor and take a test drive. That's how I diagnosed my plugged cat -- that allows enough exhaust to vent. If you have your power back, your cat is plugged.

Be sure clutch isn't slipping. Is it new w/ the swap?

-Michael

Check your timing - be sure to split between #1 and #4. 2.8 is very sensitive to timing being off.

wasnt the spliting of the the #1 and #4 just for the duke?

unplug the o2 sensor from the exhaust pipe

I have no cat so that can be scratched. I thought it might be the timing but I didn't mess with it before the swap and in the other car it accelerated just fine. The old clutch was brand new so I just buffed the surfaces and machined the flywheel.

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how are the spark plugs? do you have one of the wires crossed?
a vac leak normaly causes a higher idle. where are you sitting when the engine is up to temp. it should idle around 1000rpm. mine idles beteen 950-1000rpm once the engine is heated up.
when you do the timing make sure you ground the ALDL port.

Sparkplugs haven't been checked but I was going to replace them and the wires and cap as a preventative maintenance measure. Wires crossed? Of what crossed wires do you speak of Josh? When it's up to temperature it sits around 900 rpm.

the spark plug wires. make sure the spark plugs are gapped to spec.
you could have a leaky spark plug wires also. not getting the full spark the plug needs.

also is the throttle cable binding somewhere? the buttlefly valve on the throttle body might not be opening to full when you have the pedal to the floor.
your fuel filter could be clogging up and needs changing. and or the air filter. might as well do both. just bought a new air and fuel filter. $20 total for both thos items.

what is your fuel pressure?