I have a 96 ex auto and have a performance problem.144k miles D16Y7 I think......
The engine has no power below about 25 mph and will not even spin the tires in the rain!!!!
It is a 1.6sohc VTEC automatic.I have put in new NGKs,new wires,new cap,rotor,cleaned the TB and it made no difference except fix an intermittent miss.
NO CEL(yes it works),no problems with the cat converter,the temps are good in and out and it did this before and after the CAI wis installed.
The VTEC comes in around 5500 and it will pull to 7000.The car has no other issues,
I even tried putting back on the oem 14"wheels and tires.It is STILL a slug.My friends DelSol will whip me by 8-9 length from 0-30!!!!
My timing is at 15 at idle.
Thanks for any help.

 

If you have VTEC, then the engine is likely a D16Y8.

Set the ignition timing to 12 BTDC (align pointer to red mark = middle mark in clustered group of three marks). Also, you must put a jumper wire across the service connector to set the timing (see diagram below).

You may also consider checking whether the throttle position sensor (TPS) is properly calibrated (0.5V throttle closed, 4.5V throttle fully open).

 

I did the test according to ALLDATA procedure...very similar to what you outlined.According to the timing light,a digital dial back style,I have a max of 6 degrees at idle with the dizzy all the way advanced.The shop scanner shows 15 degrees with the wire hooked up at idle.
That leads me to believe that the cam is off time from the crank,is that possible and still run?
I will pull the cover off and look and get the crank set to ZERO.
Could the cam be a tooth retarded?

 

I am not sure why the digital and shop timing guns are yielding different timing settings (maybe you can explain for my education) but, yeah, the timing belt could be off by one tooth from TDC synchrony of the crank and cam. Here is how the perfect timing belt alignment should look:

 

Thats my next step....I'm not used to 1 cam engines....I do 4 cam NORTHSTARS all day at Cadillac.They're run with 3 chains!!!
Thanks,Craig

 

Yes the belt can slip, you just need to take the upper cover off to check. That will require taking the valve cover loose and lifting it some because the timing cover hooks underneath.

If you find the belt has slipped, put a new timing belt on immediately because if it strips there's a good chance of major valve damage.

Also if someone put the crank pulley on without the key, the timing marks on it will be meaningless. Take the #1 spark plug out and probe in the cylinder with a suitable rod to find when the piston reaches true TDC.

 

well if your friends delsol is a manual than thats why. LOL

i know automatics are slow! i got one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT4_mBldTUE