unknown powerloss problem

[00firebird]

car drives like a four banger with the a/c on, it doesn't pull hard, rpm range feels like its at a stand still sometimes when floored. heres a video of the car 80-115 in third
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/?action=view&current=100_5147.flv

took it to an autolab they said the problem was the MAF clogged, so got it fixed, it got rid of the error codes as well. also had the injectors cleaned and new fuel filter added. for two days it ran awesome again and pulled hard. welp that only lasted two days, then it was back to sluggish again. so i took it back again today, they spent two hours doing computer testing etc.. couldnt find anything wrong with it. still no codes thrown but it still drives like crap. ive no idea anymore its just a pain. any ideas? i just feel like selling it

[97rs4life]

does your exhaust have a weird odor to it? I ask this because I was thinking of it being a clogged cat maybe.

[01SunsetWS6]

My buddies 98 firebird 3.8 was doing the same thing your talking about and it was his ignition modual i would remove this (is under the coil packs) and take it to maurrys or auto zone and they will test it for free. hope this helps

[Derek]

my moneys on clogged cat.

[01SunsetWS6]

the cats pretty easy to check to, go to murays or where ever, and rent a back pressure guage. it screws in where your pre cat o2's go. will save time

[00firebird]

the car doesnt smell wierd... theres a rattle at 3k but i believe it is the washers on the catback hangers.. any more info on the ignition modual? what was it doing to his car.. hmm. thanks guys

[01SunsetWS6]

it was ating exactly like yours except it would go in and out until it left him stranded. its real easy to take out just remove your coils then your ignition modual take it to murays they will test it for free and know right then and there if you need i can prbally send you directions on how to remove it.

[Keego Ridah]

it didn't look to sluggish to me, i can't put my finger on what it could be? i dont know much about the 3.8's

[01SunsetWS6]

You could have a circuit in the ignitiong modual with highresistance or an open starting. ill try to get on GM service info tomarrow if you havent figured out the prob

[JoeliusZ28]

when one of my cats went bad it rattled. it was only two months old at the time... needless to say i didnt spend any more money on cats

[sping012]

needless to say i didnt spend any more money on cats

Thats the spirit! lol But i'm unsure of a 3.8, might not sound so good...

[97rs4life]

if there is a rattle, yes it could be the cat then. They usually rattle and most of the time smell of rotten eggs when they are clogged.

could be that ignition module thing they are talking about too though.

[PACE]

sluggish problem

the ignition mod could very well be. have you taken it off and had it tested yet they are known to go bad on the 3800, now a nother thing is how many miles do you have, you should check the fuel pressure also. Ive also had a injector go bad just one and it makes it run rough too it was very slugish. and if i was you just take those cats off.. i hate those things.

[Keego Ridah]

3.8's sound preety weird with not CAT

[PACE]

no cats

not if you do it right