Engine trouble at the track
 

I'm a new member & have an 05, MT, w/66K on it. The car is "Bone Stock". I took it to a Track Event recently and after the third session of the day, it started loosing power and wouldn't go beyond 6-7k RPM. Prior to that it was a rocket by my standards. (inexperienced driver) The car was all and more than I'd expected it to be. It made no noises, no check engine lights, just the humiliation of getting slapped around by cars and drivers I had previously easily handled. I was shifting it at about 9,000. I had put in a set on new NGK plugs observing the Leading and trailing locations. So a couple of questions!
1. In reading through the threads I noted references to S1 & S2, 1. What is an "S1 and an S2? 2. Can I use a GM plug w/ the neg. electrode removed to check the Coils like we used to do w/ GM HEI? I assume I should remove the other plug wires prior to the test so it won't start, correct?
3. What should proper compression pressure be? (spinning the engine w/ all plugs out, I assume)

I'm going to check for codes. Although, I've worked on a lot of cars, this is my first rotary experience. I've had an infatuation w/ them since I saw one ice racing about 1970.

Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Could be a number of things.....it's possible the CAT is clogged up, could be ignition related...ie coils, plugs, wires, could be the very common fuel starvation issue with low fuel level....can you give us a few more symptoms

A lot of ppl that tracked their 8 has burned their cat....the pieces would fly out of exhaust if you are lucky. If not, the pieces would clogged the catback.

Thx, for getting back to me w/ your suggestion. I haven't noticed anything coming out of the tailpipes. My first thought was fuel starvation when it started. The gauge read 3/8 of a tank but i hoped the hard cornering was starving the pick-up,but i filled up & no change. Previous experiences w/ cats being plugged sometimes provided wheezing sounds and low vacuum. Are there any more definitive methods to analyze a cat? I'm pretty certain that eliminating it is no longer an option, right?
There really weren't any other symptoms!
I did figure out the s1 & s2, thing, w/ mine being an 05, s1.

Is there another way to check out the coils?

can't believe people who does not know their car just take it to the track ...

get to know your car first.

Did you keep your oil topped off?


If you haven't, you should make it a practice to top off the oil after every session. I go through a quart in about 80 miles. I wouldn't want to let the oil level get below the first hash mark.

First thing I would check is the cat. As in, physically remove it and look inside to see if it is intact.