So I picked up a 1993 VE-Auto yesterday with 139,000 on the clock. It runs fine as far as dependability goes, but that thing is SLOW compared to my VG-Auto. And from what I've learned in this forum there should be no comparison. I got the car for pretty cheap and it's in excellent condition, but for some reason the thing is just a SLUG. Zero to sixty in about 10 seconds at best.

It won't chirp tires in any gear, and the down shifts are little to be desired. Top end isn't even very good at all. It has new Coils, New NGK Plugs, new air filter, fuel filter, and oil filter.

Anyone suggest anything? The transmission seems to do good.. but gosh, this was NOT what I was expecting, I'd rather drive my VG any day of the week.

Thanks in advance.

 

very tough to tell.

Did you check the ECU for codes?

bad injector(s), knock sensor, o2 sensor, clogged cat, exhaust leaks somewhere...really, I have no idea. Those are all guesses. Maybe you have poor compression and it wasn't well maintained.

 

Didn't you test drive it before purchasing?

 

yes, and it seemed to just need a tune-up

 

Is it missing? or smooth-n-sluggish?


Start with normal maintinance items like spark plugs/air filter/fuel filter/maybe o2 sensor<---yes they are a normal tune up item..

 

I'm gonna have to say...


I've read a lot about the knock sensor being a big problem on performance for the VE

 

it is smooth and sluggish, the guy said he just did a tune up 4 months ago, but i guess i can't take his word for it. I just hope it's now low compression.

 

why would pics help?

 

How new do the plugs and fuel filter look? If its none of the stuff Cliff brought up I'd pull the fuel pump and see if the filter before the pump is clogged. Just something odd to check.

I'd say its a knock sensor though since its smooth and down on a lot of power. Try the resistor trick and see if that helps.

Or what about switching MAFs between the cars?

~Alex

 

I never said it'd help, just saying thread is worlthless without em

C'mon man you got a new car and dont have pics of it!?

 

hah, oh. Well I JUST got it last night and I went over to my friends house afterwards. I wanted to give her a good wash and wax first before I went showing her off. I'm thinking knock sensor. But what is the resistor trick? I'll search in the meantime...

 

On mine, when the KS was bad (or at least it was going out -- it never threw a code), it drove strong until the car got pretty hot. I would say after 40+ minutes of driving. Even then, I only noticed it kind of had a lack of top end. It wasn't that bad. I don't know if there are other symptoms like you have with a malfunctioning KS.

 

when i bought my ve it had 2 dead injectors, 3 cracked coil packs and ~135-145 psi over all cylinders. only after replacing those bad parts did i notice the ks was bad. but even with minimum compression, it ran well until the ks would screw the timing, then it transformed into a slow pos. if your car never has any power, you could have a bad injector or 2. dead injectors aren't as evident on the ve. it'll still feel somewhat smooth compared to the vg.

 

Just a guess here, but check your timing. Perhaps the guy that owned it before you retarded it to use 89 octane. Or is the transmission slipping? Or perhaps a brake is dragging? Jack it up and see if the wheels all spin easily. Or a restricted exhaust. Is it the correct diameter or is it dented somewhere? Or the cat is clogged. But first look for codes in the ECU. Without more info, these are all just bald*ss guesses.

 

the KS only affected the lower RPMs, once it got above 3k the motor sung.
I have a feeling you've got a bad injector or 2 and just don't know it yet.

 

Yeah, It's pretty slow regardless but once it hits around 3500 RPM's it does jump a little... I just figured that it was the VTC's compensating for whatever was wrong. Either way, I'll check injectors and the KS.

 

That is weird, I'd go with a compression check before anything.

 

Well since the VE is still semi smooth with a bad injector Id say thats your problem along with the knock sensor. Get a multimeter and check the injectors. Or pull the coilpacks out one at a time and see if the idle changes at all.

~Alex

 

So I put on my Cold Air Intake (minus the S pipe) and old MAF from the VG and BOY did that make a difference. Engine is strong all through the gears, chirps the tires, and I'm running to 60 in a tad over 7 seconds (good ol' finger counting). But after ******* it I did hear the VTC's clack slightly since the first time I bought it (been over 300 miles and a 2 hour trip; so it's gotten hot before... just haven't heard them yet)

Anyway, I'm pretty stoked so I thought I'd share, how lucky was that!? Anyway, thanks for the help guys.

Hello VE and goodbye VG

 

You make me sick, you better still take good care of that VG

As well as the new VE

 

Haha, Oh the VG was/is a great car, on it's 3rd transmission...... but the engine pulls strong. But It's time to sell, insuring two cars for a 17 year old is eh... tricky to say at the least.

 

Let me "swap" some body parts before you get rid of the vg...

 

just swap the policy over to whichever one you're currently driving if you want to keep both and don't mind letting one sit. but yeah, i'd dump that gxe.

 

Yeah, We only have a one car driveway and have a nice 1985 Brown and Orange tow behind camper in the yard. We're well on our way to white-trashville and I think another car would just knock us up on the list. Hah, not that I'd care. But Having the large lump Sum to pay off the VE would be nice...

 

My VTCs click a lot and i tried to ground them using http://www.geocities.com/craigbrace/ page. After i grounded them i noticed that the engine was no were near as strong and decided i could deal with the clacking as long as i could fly by the Hondas and there oversize exhausts. Just an idea.

 

Haha, yeah... I definitely already have Craigs page bookmarked, hah. I can deal with the VTC's right now, from what I've read they barely clack compared to other people's cars... I mean once in 4 days is pretty good

 

what color in and out you got? and what year?

 

Hah, I was holding off until I got her the way I wanted her looking. But she's ready, and purdy now so I'll start another thread after I take a few pics.