hustler

It revs fine in neutral and will bury the tach as expected...but you guys are right about it driving like the cat is clogged although this problem occurred suddenly. Can I just unbolt the cat at the downpipe, leave the 2nd o2 sensor outside the exhaust pipe, and not get a code/limp mode? That would be an easy way to rule-out the clogged cat problem.

the brakes do not drag. How should the wheels behave when I spin one, I'm not accustom to the AWD system in these cars.

no lights of any kind If I drop it in 3rd, it revs slowly, then stays in gear, but rpm changes independent of wheel speed. I'll have to put the mechanical boost gauge on the intake plenum and let you know what I get...but that may take a couple weeks because I'm out of town. Obviously this is something really weird and atypical. Thanks.

153k miles same size tires no idiot lights ATF was never low I need to take it somewhere to get the codes pulled.

I searched through the forum, and apparently this problem is unique. The trans can't seem to pick a gear. Half the time the engine turns more rpm than it should for the gear...imagine slipping the clutch as you go down the highway. Then if it goes to 4th, it will cut to roughly 50% of what rpm should be. I can go 80mph down the highway in 4th, and the engine will turn 2000rpm. The trans also can't decide if it wants to stay in 4th, or drop down to 3rd when cruising. Also, the car builds rpm slowly, like there is resistance somewhere, slowing acceleration. I have to cruise at roughly 3/4-throttle position to maintain highway speed I've replaced the ATF and filter (although this did not trigger the issue), attempted to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery and leaving the car to sit for a few weeks, but not hooked it up to an obd scanner. I did a brake job, all the way around, then this problem started. Where should I start to diagnose this problem? Thanks

I bought a 2kobw about 2-years ago and was happy with it until the trans started going crazy and changing gears / never really engaging. I bought another miata to drive until I had time to jack with it. If I can't find an easy fix for the outback, I'm most likely going to pick up a wrecked WRX or LGT and swap the power-train and harness (if not a megasquirt piggy-back) in the outback. I'm also entertaining the idea of getting a 3-axle aluminum trailer and pulling the miata with the outback. I have a really ugly daily miata, but I also recently finished this one: ...which spends most of its time at the track, but i still drive it on the street when its nice. It's a 1.9l with a 99 head, gt2860rs, 6-speed, 3.63 rear end, big brakes, megasquirt efi, 15x8's for the street, 15x9's for the track, robispec dampers with external tanks, and lots of safety equipment. The car is fun.