My SSEI has lots of power. But it is strange, it comes on all of a sudden, not smooth like you would want. If I push down on the gas, I get moderate response, then a bit more and it seems like all of a sudden someone unleashed the devil himself and it roars to life. The aggravating part about this is that it rips the wheel from your hands unless you are going straight. I am used to a rear wheel drive car.

Does anyone else notice this? Is it normal? Or could there be a cause?

Thanks,
Steve

Possibly O2 sensor is bad?

sounds like it just takes a while for your transmission to downshift?

Are you talking about torque steer?

I think this has something to do with fuel mixture changes. O2 sensor is a possibility. When did you last change it?

Also Rat, you think him being EGRless would be a factor?

He won't be egrless since it is an L67, and I don't think it would be the O2. Mine does the same thing once it is good and hot, and I have tried new O2'*. I am thinking it is KR due to heat and/or incorrect fuel mixture.

Does this happen throughout acceleration, or just at the begining?

Yup: been there, done that, got the T-shirt...

I'll bet you dollars-to-donuts that your catalytic convertor is partially clogged. The excessive backpressure that develops is bogging down the acceleration, and finally it kicks down and unleashes the dogs of hell to try and catch up. I think you should also notice that your boost gauge is a lot higher than it should be in normal driving, and probably spends little or no time at full vacuum (counterclockwise) anymore.

To clarify:
I have never changed the O2 sensor.
It does have an egr valve.
No, I am not talking about a downshift.
It has plenty of power, it just doesn't come on all that smoothly.
I haven't noticed any strage boost conditions.
My cat converter does have loose pieces in it that I can hear rattling around. It'* all welded up, so how does one go about working on this exhaust system?

My Cat did the same thing, but wasn't clogged. I did feel a performance boost when I changed to a Hi-flow cat.

You'll have to have it cut out and a new one welded in. You should be able to do this for the 100 to 200 dollar range, depending on Cat and shop.

try unplugging the MAF sensor then going for a very short drive and see if it drives any better... (yes the SES light will turn on)