A/C on and a noticable loss of power SS, auto guys

[ericem]

Hey guys, this really pisses me off especially because I love ac on warm days, but I also like power..... With a/c on literally it is extremely slow like it's almost like there is no more turbo. 1/4-3/4 throttle doesn't go any faster.

Things to clarify. Has been fully tuned up (wires, plugs, filters, oil), even cleaned the MAF today. I noticed my exhaust is like extremely carboned up when I took it apart so I am assuming the car is running really really rich, since I get like 300km to 50L.

Does the o2 sensor play a major role in this loss of power maybe. I am thinking maybe the engine just isn't producing the power it should resulting in why the car is so much slower with a/c on.

I am also considering a td04 clocked on stock intake incase the stock turbo is not producing the cfm it should.

Otherwise car runs smooth, just very slow. Also replaced the BPV...

[Legacy777]

I can tell you that from running a turbo vs. non-turbo legacy. The turbo actually isn't that bad compared to the non-turbo. If you are experiencing worse power loss when the AC is on, I'd say you either are not making the power you should, or the AC system is consuming more power.

What I mean by that is, if the AC system is low on refrigerant, the compressor will have to work hard, (essentually stealling more power from the engine to run). So you may want to have your AC system checked out to see if the operating pressures are within tolerance.

[ericem]

That makes sense. I still need to get my dad to check the pressures again.

Also how significant does a exhaust leak before the turbo affect performance? Car seems to boost up to 8psi all the time, just other times it actually pulls and you feel the car accelerate.

[kimokalihi]

Probably quite significant. Spencer said he had a crack in his up pipe I believe and once he found it and replaced it he noticed a significant difference in power. May affect your O2 sensor as well.

[ericem]

Hmm, it feels like something else is wrong. I am debating replacing the whole intake manifold, since I have a better condition one from my other engine + I can replace all the gaskets while im at it. It hits 8psi right away just no pull. Sometimes feels very responsive, other times it very sluggish. Think about it this way every tank I get 300km to 50+L. Doesn't seem to matter how I drive either :S