Well first off, this is a stock 22-re. The problem only started a couple weeks ago.. It doesn't seem to be misfiring, it seems to run smoothly - its just it will have no power. Once it hits 3500rpms it instantly picks up and throws you in your seat and winds right out. Something is definently not working correctly below 3500.
Kinda seems to me like maybe a timing advance problem?? Like the timing is being constantly advanced making it way off in the low rpms?
>>>*It could be something like that. For example, inadequate advance early that comes on suddenly would give that feel.
I know on our circle track cars we had the advance curve set at zero until the engine hit race speed due to very high compression ratios. The feeling was similar to what you describe, the response when the advance activated was sudden. We used to watch a skinny 16 year old kid named Biffle bounce his back fender off the fence when his car hooked, then blew the rear tires loose.
Adding more gear fixed that.
Of course in that situation we seldom got off what we call the "pipe" which is the point where everything is wide open and RPM up, advance full.
Since our 268C profile is typically from off-idle through the midrange with RPM running out around 4500 to 4800, my thought would be the cam is timed late.
That would be my best guess. I doubt the timing chain is off a link, that just makes them run like cr*p. Especially since you say this just started??
One way to check the advance would be to run the engine with a timing light, see what it does and when.
I also bet a CO2 reading at lower rpm would be way high, too. That will cause a similar reaction, as will an over-scavenged exhaust system....Let me know when you figure it out. I only have one other case of similar in my files and that one just needed the TPS reset....*EB
