1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Falls flat at full throttle

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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 08:30 AM
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Falls flat at full throttle

I took the car out for a decent drive yesterday and in 1st 2nd and 3rd if I put my foot to the floor it would just stay at the same speed and rpms didn't sound like they changed. Anything besides my foot to the floor feels great.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:23 AM
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Sounds like it could be a fuel related issue. Has the carb been gone through?
Also check to make sure when you mash the pedal that the throttle is opening fully on the carb, you may need a second person to verify this.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:48 AM
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I did mess with the idle screw some and the air/fuel screw but not sure if they were done properly and I did a rats nest delete but haven't taken the carb of or apart
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:57 AM
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Like GtiKyle posted, first verify the throttles can open fully with pedal pressed.
Will it still accelerate if you go to full throttle gradually? If it doesn't then there's a fuel delivery problem.

Mashing the pedal activates the accelerator pump, might be an issue there, but make sure to do the above before you start tearing the carb apart.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 11:11 AM
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When was the last time you changed the Fuel Filter? They're clear for a reason (non-EFI). Get under there with a flashlight and take a look. You're looking for sediment in the bottom of the filter after its had a chance to sit for awhile ~a few hours.

Any time a rotary won't rev like he'll, it's 99% fuel related. If it starts and runs, it already has air and spark...
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by LongDuck
When was the last time you changed the Fuel Filter? They're clear for a reason (non-EFI). Get under there with a flashlight and take a look. You're looking for sediment in the bottom of the filter after its had a chance to sit for awhile ~a few hours.

Any time a rotary won't rev like he'll, it's 99% fuel related. If it starts and runs, it already has air and spark...
I changed it within the last three months. It will rev just fine as long as I dont floor it driving. I neutral I can go to the floor and its fine
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Shanerx7
I changed it within the last three months. It will rev just fine as long as I dont floor it driving. I neutral I can go to the floor and its fine
Still sounds fuel related.

If you can free rev it in neutral, but flooring it under load does not provide power, somehow you're not getting enough fuel for the demand.
Check the fuel filter again.
Check your accelerator pump is functioning too.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 11:26 AM
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What he said. You can free rev it because there's no load on the engine, like when its working to push your car through air, against rubber friction, up hill, and fighting the whole way!

What was the original Fuel Filter looking like? Why did you change it a month ago? Filters clog because of what's in the tank - sometimes it takes several filter changes to get all the crap collected and out of the system.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by LongDuck
What he said. You can free rev it because there's no load on the engine, like when its working to push your car through air, against rubber friction, up hill, and fighting the whole way!

What was the original Fuel Filter looking like? Why did you change it a month ago? Filters clog because of what's in the tank - sometimes it takes several filter changes to get all the crap collected and out of the system.
I changed it because I bought it as a non running car and when getting towed here the po didn't secure the pump properly and destroyed the one on it. Ive had the car less than a year and just got it up and running a month or so ago.
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 02:06 PM
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Sounds like the secondaries are not opening. They are vaccum actuated unless you tied them up for manual secondaries. Since you did a rast nest delete make sure vaccum is getting to the secondary actuator. If they don't open them it will act just like you describe. Also you can't check this by blipping the throttle in neutral while standing by the car. The vacuum only works under a true load.
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Old Aug 24, 2025 | 11:56 AM
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If fuel supply is the issue, it will manifest as low fuel pressure at WOT. I had a similar problem many years ago, and my diagnostic tool was to put a tee in the fuel line and tape a cheap fuel pressure gauge to the windshield. Pressure should remain steady throughout the operating range.
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