The Symptoms is when driving, the car lacks power dramatically.
During WOT, the rev (RPM) would jump to redline very quickly. Then settles down to match current speed & rpm if I give it only partial throttle. I've notices this for quit sometimes now, but yesterday it has escalated where I can't even drive the car anymore.
As I was on my way home from work, I step on the gas pedal in 1st gear (or any gears) the car just won't go. It feels like its only running on 1 cylinder (lack of HP's.) It idles fine, no oil leak, haven't check spark plugs yet.
Could it be lost of compression in the cylinders?
Any help is appreciated and I'll pull the motor apart this weekend to find out the issue.

TIA!

 

When you say the revs jump to redline then come back down when you back off the gas; that sounds like a slipping clutch. If you've got an automatic, then I dunno; I'm not much of an auto guru.

The rest of your story is kind of confusing. If it runs on 1 cylinder, it'll be real rough; it loses smoothness along with losing power. If the clutch is slipping (or auto trans slipping?) you should hear the engine racing. Just like if you revved it in neutral. Better description of what's happening?

 

Sounds like the clutch to me as well. At any rate use a compression tester before you go tearing the engine all apart. How old is your current clutch?

 

It's a 5sp manual. Sorry to confuse anyone, but basically I've to bring the rpm's to 6K rpm for the car to even start crawling. It's definitely sounds like a worn clutch now that you explain it. The gears engage fine without any grinding.

This will be a great excuse to do a b18 swap.

Thanks for the Help!

 

Does Autozone have a Compression tester to use as loaner?
The clutch is as old as the milage on the car & motor (177K miles.)

 

It's a great excuse to go with an aftermarket flywheel & clutch, I dunno about an excuse for an engine swap.

I dunno what your local Autozone has, the testers are not that much and are very usefull. Really I'd just spring for one.

 

HELLO 177,000 miles on a clutch...If it feels like your putting gas into it and it's just free spinning, your clutch is dying. If you don't see purple or blue smoke coming out the back of your exhaust than your compression is probably ok. If you do see smoke do the compression test because guess what...YOU BLEW THE PISTON RINGS!!!! Welcome to the club. I'm almost 90% sure all you have is a badf clutch.