I have a 85 rx7 that I replaced the motor in last week because of a bad seal. Before I replaced the motor it ran as if something was clogged and very sluggish. I installed the new motor and I'm having the same problem. There are no vacuum leaks, it idles with no problem until i press the clutch and the idle decreases.

The primary side of the carburetor is providing a steady stream of gas at idle and the secondary kicks in great when I hit the throttle. The car sounds great in my garage, but when I attempt to drive it it is loud as if something is clogged. The cats were cleaned out several years ago and with the exhaust system disconnected it is still sluggish.

The one item that I find strange is that the outlet pipe from the air control valve has a lot of air at all times. It is the pipe that connects to the air cleaner housing.

 

cat is clogged

 

I can remove the cats and still have the same problem.

 

So you HAVE done it already to make sure? That is, you have, INDEED, pulled the cats and run the car on the street to definitively rule that factor out? If you haven't done that, then you can't rule out wwilliam54 that quickly.

 

Done. Cats are completely out!

 

if there is a problem with the air control valve then that could serioiusly effect drivability of your car. one way to check would be to pull it off and block it or try another one if you have access to one. all i can think of.

 

the car would be quieter if the cats were clogged, not louder i think

 

how do you know this? the secondaries will not open until they are under load i belive. Unless you have mechanical secondaries.

 

I'm forcing the secondary to open. I'm going to remove the carburetor and install a different one. The replacement is from a 82 rx7 and there is some noticable
differences. I'll let you know the end results.

 

Two thoughts...the AP is dead or clogged or the timing is off

 

Timing appears to be OK and I replaced the carburetor and I still have the same problem. What is the AP?

 

Accelerator pump.

~T.J.

 

Well I finally got it. First, I replaced the distributor and it ran OK, it no longer sounded as if it was clogged. Second, I replaced both ignition coils and it is running
great. Thanks