loss of power

Dooz · 04-12-2009, 11:17 PM

i have a 03 spyder and some how i have lost a little bit of power i put a new muffler on it could that be it?? can anyone tell me what they think

Gairloch · 04-12-2009, 11:28 PM

Did the change in power coincide with the installation of the muffler and have you done anything else to it?

ebouwman · 04-13-2009, 12:32 AM

Even a dirty air filter can sap a *bit* of power.

New exhausts can eat a bit of power if they're more restrictive. What's the new exhaust like?

Or maybe you're extra power went here Power from no ware...?!

Just kidding

Mateo Largo · 04-13-2009, 12:44 AM

Check Engine Light? If so, go to Auto Zone and have them read the code--that will be helpful. Where is power falling off? Any other symptoms associated?

I'm not sure how familiar you are with your car's emissions equipment... and I don't want to scare you... HOWEVER, you should make yourself very well aquainted with the pre-cats which Toyota found necessary to include in your exhaust manifold. In an alarmingly large number of these cars the pre-cats have broken down, clogged the main cat, and thus sucked back into the engine...

So the story usually goes: The car started to use oil, may or may not have developed a sulfur odor, car begins to lose power (especially above 4,000 rpms), oil use gets really bad in a short period... discussions of engine replacement begin... Sometimes there are stories of engines locking due to oil loss.

Take this thing to have it checked out soon--this probably is jumping the gun (most issues were 2000-2002 models)--but if this is your issue you may be covered under the 8 year/80k emissions equipment warranty (it will cover any damage done by emissions). They will be able to check your precats in about 5 minutes by simply pulling the O 2 sensors.

Hopefully you will not be joining the precat victim club. At any rate, GUT YOUR CATS! Go to Spyderchat.com: The Online Community for Toyota MR2 Spyder Enthusiasts! , there is a lot of great MkIII info there and if you search you'll find instructions for precat removal.

Good luck, Matt

ebouwman · 04-13-2009, 01:24 AM

^ thats really interesting i have to say! Now why would they put a "pre-cat" in the exhaust manifold? I mean other than the obvious reduced emissions... I'm assuming it's nearly impossible to change them once they wear out.

Mateo Largo · 04-13-2009, 09:49 AM

To obtain ULEV status. Apparently the pre-cats clean up the emissions before reaching the main cat (especially before it's warmed up). The only way to replace them is to replace the manifold--but you really don't want to replace them--you want to get rid of them--gut the stock manifold or put in an aftermarket header. You still have the main cat, the car should still pass emissions as long as you get it warmed up first.

If you still have em' in your car, check around on the Spyderchat site--it's a little scary.

Dooz · 04-13-2009, 02:30 PM

the muffler i put on it made the top end better and just here recntly i have lost some power around 4 grand i hope i dont join the people with the pre cat problem

ebouwman · 04-14-2009, 03:51 AM

I don't know what other people think but i think i had a small drop in lower rpm power when i did the exhaust on my mk1.

If you're worried about the pre-cat problem then i'd take Mateo Largo's advice and remove them. It's always better to get stuff fixed as soon as or before it presents itself as a problem.

04-12-2009, 11:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dooz Some Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: wagoner, OK Posts: 67 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	loss of power i have a 03 spyder and some how i have lost a little bit of power i put a new muffler on it could that be it?? can anyone tell me what they think

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04-12-2009, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Did the change in power coincide with the installation of the muffler and have you done anything else to it?

04-13-2009, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Even a dirty air filter can sap a bit of power. New exhausts can eat a bit of power if they're more restrictive. What's the new exhaust like? Or maybe you're extra power went here Power from no ware...?! Just kidding

04-13-2009, 12:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mateo Largo No Skills Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dania Beach, FL Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Check Engine Light? If so, go to Auto Zone and have them read the code--that will be helpful. Where is power falling off? Any other symptoms associated? I'm not sure how familiar you are with your car's emissions equipment... and I don't want to scare you... HOWEVER, you should make yourself very well aquainted with the pre-cats which Toyota found necessary to include in your exhaust manifold. In an alarmingly large number of these cars the pre-cats have broken down, clogged the main cat, and thus sucked back into the engine... So the story usually goes: The car started to use oil, may or may not have developed a sulfur odor, car begins to lose power (especially above 4,000 rpms), oil use gets really bad in a short period... discussions of engine replacement begin... Sometimes there are stories of engines locking due to oil loss. Take this thing to have it checked out soon--this probably is jumping the gun (most issues were 2000-2002 models)--but if this is your issue you may be covered under the 8 year/80k emissions equipment warranty (it will cover any damage done by emissions). They will be able to check your precats in about 5 minutes by simply pulling the O 2 sensors. Hopefully you will not be joining the precat victim club. At any rate, GUT YOUR CATS! Go to Spyderchat.com: The Online Community for Toyota MR2 Spyder Enthusiasts! , there is a lot of great MkIII info there and if you search you'll find instructions for precat removal. Good luck, Matt

04-13-2009, 01:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	^ thats really interesting i have to say! Now why would they put a "pre-cat" in the exhaust manifold? I mean other than the obvious reduced emissions... I'm assuming it's nearly impossible to change them once they wear out.

04-13-2009, 09:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mateo Largo No Skills Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dania Beach, FL Posts: 9 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	To obtain ULEV status. Apparently the pre-cats clean up the emissions before reaching the main cat (especially before it's warmed up). The only way to replace them is to replace the manifold--but you really don't want to replace them--you want to get rid of them--gut the stock manifold or put in an aftermarket header. You still have the main cat, the car should still pass emissions as long as you get it warmed up first. If you still have em' in your car, check around on the Spyderchat site--it's a little scary.

04-13-2009, 02:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dooz Some Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: wagoner, OK Posts: 67 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	the muffler i put on it made the top end better and just here recntly i have lost some power around 4 grand i hope i dont join the people with the pre cat problem

04-14-2009, 03:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC Posts: 1,600 Thanks: 19 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I don't know what other people think but i think i had a small drop in lower rpm power when i did the exhaust on my mk1. If you're worried about the pre-cat problem then i'd take Mateo Largo's advice and remove them. It's always better to get stuff fixed as soon as or before it presents itself as a problem.