my chevy has no power?

Question

i just installed a newly rebuilt 350 chevy in my 81 buick regal it has all the mode 375 hp motor and i have a 350 trans with a 3200 stall my question is with all that why doesnt my car have any pull it drives but when i try to stabb off from a light it gets realy loud and winds up but doesnt even burn rubber and i cant figure out why is it the stall the carb or the timings not right does any one have an answer also the trans is rebuilt to so thats not it

Answer 1

Could be you have too high of a stall speed converter for the torque range of the motor and axle ratio is important too. If your axle ratio is too low like 3.08 or 2.73, the torque is not enough to overcome it at a stop to burnout...the converter will just flare up and not transfer the power well. Try to find out what gear ratio your axle is and go with at least a 3.42 or higher for a midsize car like yours. Paul

Answer 2

If you're trying to run a hi-po Chevy engine in an 81 Buick's computer system, no doubt it don't run good. Buick & Chevy's have different timing and computer settings and probably won't combine to work right. Rear gear ratios could be a major drawback, too. A 3:42 ratio (what the new Vettes run) should help some, a 3:70 will do better. A 375 hp engine must breathe and should have good carb & intake manifold, headers, big dia exhaust pipes (2-1/4--2-1/2") and free flow mufflers. Your 3200 stall converter is good enough. A 375 engine is doggy on low rpm and makes power at near 300-3500rpm on up to near 6000rpm. Proper timing setting at distributor and timing marks on pully combine to increase power. a 'supertune' might be in order.

Answer 3

Yes, I'd have to agree w/ the 3200 stall converter being way to hi for the engine/tranny combination, for a daily driver. But, you could try playin around w/ the timing and see if, that might help you out. Try settin the timing up around 10* advance. Also, what kind of spark plugs are you runnin and @ what gap??? Personally, I perfer AC Delco gapped @ .035.

Then, there is the rear-end radio. That maybe geared too lo for the perpus of pill outs. I'd bet it's running the same gear as my x 88 Monte Carlo was w/ the 3.08 rear-end gear. The Monte would NOT do burn outs very easily. But, the top end was in the catagory of Hual A**.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Could it be a tuning issue? Cause with what youre running on the driveline you should at the very least be able to burn rubber off the mark when stabbing the accelarator off the mark.
Is it a carb engine or fuel injected?? Could be the wrong engine/carb combo... i had that problem with my '70 fairmont and a differentcarb and performance tuning made SO much difference.

Answer 5

We need to know what size and type of carb your running. You should have around 700 cfm, any bigger and you could bog down. Also are you running headers, performance intake, and what ignition? My first guess is you have way to much torque converter, who ever told you to run a 3200 rpm is way off for a motor of your hp. Also what rear end ratio are you running, if it is geared to high (and if it is stock it is) you could see problems off the line. Good luck.

Answer 6

Two things to check from experience doing the same thing. 1st, did you update the torque converter to match your engine? If not it is not going to transfer that extra power. 2nd, computer (ECM) is going to need a new chip (PROM) because it is still delivering spark / timing / fuel for old engine so nothing extra is available.

Also don't forget your basics like plugged catalytic converter.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 7

Like he said....you have to kick it in first gear otherwise the engine rpm will electronically shift it to drive.

Answer 8

Your stall speed is waaaaayyyy too high for the street!

Answer 9

if it revs but don't go its the trans .check fluid you have to check when hot. it they put in a manual valve body you have to start in first and shift yourself .starting in 3rd will cook the trans.

Answer 10

the problem is that its a chevy engine , get a ford moron