Whats up Monte Carlo Family. i recently joined the site and believe i have found a new best friend. I have a Competition Yellow 2003 Monte Carlo SS (post pics tomorrow) with the 3.8 liter non supercharged (did they make a supercharged 3.8 for that year) engine that began running very strange. Monte Carlos have been in my family for years and i have never experienced a problem like this one. When i crank the car it starts fine and idles fine but if i rev the engine to at least 3000 rpm it begins to stutter and will not go past that point and is accompanied by a mettalic sound that is somewhat difficult to describe. As i begin to drive, " my buddy" is very slow to pick up speed and and as before it will not rev past 3000 rpm at which point it begins to sttutter again and right when it gets ready to shift it will begin to stutter again. But as it gets up to speed and hits fourth gearr and locks up it will pick a major gain in speed and literaly take off. but once again if i hit 3000 rpm it begins to stutter. I have purchased a new fuel pressure regulator thinking this may be the issue since i have read that these could be a major problem with this version of the 3.8 liter of that year. Does anyone have any suggestions the help will greatly apperciated

 

Welcome to the Monte Carlo Family.

Are you the first owner of your Monte ?
Please post how many miles are on your Monte & it will help our expert member's with their advice/solutions.

Do you have any modifications to your Monte's 3.8L ?

I hope a member can help..Good Luck

 

Welcome to the site. There was no supercharged Monte in 2003 Just 04 and 05. As for your Issue we have many knowledgeable members and I'm sure someone will post some suggestions before too long. I was thinking it could be an issue with the catalytic converter. I think a shop can test it for you.

 

x2 on the Cat.

 

I would check the cat and the fuel system. Perhaps change your fuel filter, check your injectors and fuel pump. At around 3,000 RPM the car would most likely shift under normal driving conditions, have you had a performance tune? Or maybe it's something with your PCM or transmission, but those are just shots in the dark. I'd lean more towards the fuel issue.

 

When my cat was going bad, on a hill my car would just seem to bog down. But if I took my foot off the gas, and then reapplied the gas it would finally shift.

 

Also, if all else fails check out the throttle body, perhaps it's having trouble opening past a certain amount

 

No im the second owner and it has only 108,560 miles on it. And i havent done any mods to it. I hope that it is not the catylyst. thats expensive> Thank you for your help

 

id say the cat mine clogged up & wouldnt go past 3000rpm & there not too bad less than 100$ for a cat & shouldnt cost much to have it put on

 

If you live somewhere without emissions do what I do, take out the cat.