no power

Z71EMS · September 21, 2004

I've got a 94 Z71, 5.7 w/120K, auto, came with a towing pkg., that runs fairly strong and well until I try to tow my boat to the coast(Texas).

Seems like it runs in third gear the whole time, runs at about a 215 temp, and forget going up a steep grade at speed. Shouldn't a 350 pull better than that???

tryn2lrn · September 22, 2004

Are you towing in overdrive? What gears are in the rear?

bob002500 · September 22, 2004

how big is the boat i dont think it should be running that hot

Yankee7985 · September 23, 2004

If it is lacking power, and bogging down, it could be a clogged catalytic converter.

Chev8.1 · September 23, 2004

yep thats a TBI fuel injection for you. Gutless wonder. These engines have always favor a manual trannys better, due having 5 gears. They like to be keep in the 2500 to 3000 rpm range for best pulling. I Had 2 of these style engines. both lost speed when going up a grade when empty!!!! One was an auto, one was a manual. The TBI engine likes a manual better, pulled decent in 4th gear, but ended cooking that gear.

Here the problem:

350 cubic inches trying to suck air though two small holes, plus having 2 injectors above throttle plates for uneven fuel disturbtion. EQuals NO power.

solution:

step up to a ram jet 350 crate engine . With multi-port fuel injection and one big throttle plate. PLus nice cam. Equals nice power. Or just get a new truck!

vhato · September 24, 2004

I dunno,

Your truck has 300lbft of Torque. That should be enough to do anything a 1/2 ton is rated to do. You may have 3.08 or 3.42 gears bogging it down. You should have no problem pulling a 22ft or less boat up a hill.

Staying in 3rd is good thing.

We need more info. How big is the boat? How fast are you driving?

Bluesman123 · September 24, 2004

If you're towing across the Golden Gulf Coast Plain to the coast of Texas...there ain't many real hills!! I know...I grew up north of Houston !

A 10 year old truck may have a bunch of hard miles...check the compression and see if you have a weak cylinder or two. You can't expect it to run in overdrive, or 4th gear on your 4L60, so in fact there may be nothing at all wrong.

Dave