I have a '98 SSEi, and lately it seems that I have been losing torque. I need to do an oil change, and the ac compressor is loud as hell so that probably needs replacing too, and maybe the alternator, which is also a bit noisy. I recently had a mechanic snug up the bolts on the valve cover becuase the gasket is leaking a little bit of oil on the exhaust manifold. It seems that I am losing some low end torque... anybody think of why that may be..? sometimes I think that I am losing my mind, or that I'm just used to having more torque since I got the car in October, but it does seem less peppy. The air filter is also new, so that'* not old and clogged or anything. I appreciate any help.

Side-note: Anybody know offhand the stock diameter of my exhaust pipe into the muffler, I'm thinking about getting flowmaster, but I don't know the diameter, and also, if it is 2.25 after the muffler, should I go 2.5? Thanks for the help.

You will lose quite a bit of power from the accessories (a/c and alt etc) when they are going bad. It'* very possible those are your issue.

Good luck on the valve cover snug down...I wish it worked for me. If you need pointers on doing the valve covers let me know. I found the gaskets merely mash flat over time and need to be replaced.

On an SSEi your muffler should be 2.5 piping.

it'* also possible your catalytic is getting clogged and restricting your exhaust. I would start with the accessories first and see if that is the issue.

yep, that could definetely be it, parasitic losses are a beeatch. im sure youve felt the difference between driving with the AC on as compared to it off, so if all of those are having troubles i can only imagine..

speaking of parasitic loss, i was watching "Trucks" the other day and they picked up around 25hp/ ft. lbs. of torque on a Dodge 4wd pickup just by switching out the tranny fluid, and differential fluid both front and rear....they put in Royal Purple i believe it was Can anything like this be done to our cars? or YOUR cars i should say im just curious. because thats a heck of a gain for a couple bottles of gear fluid.

Ah, thanks for the information. I recently had my head fixed (the actuator doors were stuck closed), but the digital temp still blinks like there is still a problem... Could the ac compressor going bad trigger this? I should probably also change out the fluids and I will likely have to change the valve cover gaskets, becuase I can still smell oil burning, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. I just wish supercharged gaskets were as cheap as n/a... =/

Is it 2.5 inches after the muffler? If not should I go with 2.5"?

Thanks a lot for all your speedy help. =)

A slipping torque converter can rob you of some serious power. Check your trans fluid.