Having quite the dilemma

[spikester7878]

About a year ago I was medically retired from the army and reunited with my bird after almost 3 years. Long story short, I got it working pretty well again, all polished up, new brakes, and lowered. Problem is it seems like every time I drive it I feel ill afterwards. I start feeling week,shaky and lightheaded, almost like I've had another concussion. Am I just not use to driving the car anymore? Or are my more recent medical issues coming into play (I've had numerous concussions, my lungs look like I've been smoking all my life, along with a few other issues)? I am just torn because I absolutely love this car,but physically I feel like I cant drive it anymore. I put a carbon monoxide detector in the car just in case and it has never gone off, even with the windows up. I am not sure I will get many responses on this one it just really kills me because before I left the car I would never feel like this, driving the car was 100% pleasure, and now it takes me about an hour or two to recover after driving.

[Blackbird96WS6]

Kinda sounds like you should go to your doctor with this and get checked out, there may be something going on there.

[spikester7878]

Yea I intend to speak with him about it the next time I see him........Im just afraid I am going to end up selling it if it is because of medical issues.

[Blackbird96WS6]

Hopefully it doesn't come to that, man. I hope it's something they can easily fix you up with and get you back to enjoying the drive. Keep us posted on what you find out.

[spikester7878]

will do. Ive been around exhaust leaks before(deployment) and it doesnt make me feel like that. I am thinking maybe the vibrations may be to harsh and are messing with my head, but I am not an expert haha.

[spikester7878]

I will do what ever I can to keep the car(even if that means a milder cam), it has been my pride an joy since I bought it with my enlistment bonus. I literally have lost relationships with girls because of this car haha. So unless its something I cant fix I am determined to keep it

[Blackbird96WS6]

That's the spirit! Haha

[popo8]

About a year ago I was medically retired from the army and reunited with my bird after almost 3 years. Long story short, I got it working pretty well again, all polished up, new brakes, and lowered. Problem is it seems like every time I drive it I feel ill afterwards. I start feeling week,shaky and lightheaded, almost like I've had another concussion. Am I just not use to driving the car anymore? Or are my more recent medical issues coming into play (I've had numerous concussions, my lungs look like I've been smoking all my life, along with a few other issues)? I am just torn because I absolutely love this car,but physically I feel like I cant drive it anymore. I put a carbon monoxide detector in the car just in case and it has never gone off, even with the windows up. I am not sure I will get many responses on this one it just really kills me because before I left the car I would never feel like this, driving the car was 100% pleasure, and now it takes me about an hour or two to recover after driving.


I def agree that you need to see a Dr. The CO2 detectors are not going off, however the car is clearly your point of feeling "weird/unhealthy?"

Something in that car, or being emitted from that car (as long as my assumption that this does not occur when you drive any other car) is something to be very concerned over man.


Also are you a smoker? Im trying to understand why it is that your lungs appear that way.


Finally, do you have a local Fire Department you can go visit? Take the car there, and ask them if they can use one of their "sniffers" (@sahara54 may be able to say the proper term) to check your car while it is ideling. Our fire guys bring one to all of our fires, and they have different settings on them, and can pick up anything from accelerants, to CO2...etc...and Im sure that they are much more sensitive (better) than home detectors.

[spikester7878]

Ive never smoked in my life, apparently all the crap from Iraq/Kuwait did it. I didnt think about bringing it to a local fire department, thats a good idea

[Sahara54]

Ask if they can use the 4 gas meter to check it out?
Honestly, how long did your car sit? Is there anyway way the carpet got wet or anything in the vents? I've seen the foam under the carpet be soaked and the carpet be dry as a bone. That could be a source of mold.

[spikester7878]

I replaced 90% of the interior about a year and a half ago. the vents on the other hand may be an issue

[popo8]

Remember...car hvac have filters.

LTXtech.com is my Drug...

[firebird_1995]

^ this. Try to find a mold/mildew test and check the vents and carpet. I've seen some ac evaporators get flat out nasty

[spikester7878]

I was literally just thinking about the HVAC filter this morning haha. I really havnt been running the HVAC while I drive it, just been going with the windows down.....but it is something I know I need to do.

[SWells]

We replaced the 20" custom wheels on my wife's Caddy SRX with the stock 17" (the chrome was flaking and causing air leaks). Adding the extra rubber back to the side wall made a big difference in the ride quality...she doesn't even want the 20's back on. I'm assuming you don't have any issues in other cars. Gotta be something specific to yours. I suspected noise & vibration too, but the mold and co2 tests are a great idea..

[spikester7878]

Im kinda stuck with the 18s i have now due to my big brakes. The 19s in my sig pic are long gone. And unless i swap the springs there wont be any more rubber haha

[blkchevyz]

might sounds dumb but didnt you try adjusting your seat so your sitting differently? you might be pinching a nerve, cutting off circulation or just getting something out of wack.

[popo8]

Thats an idea.. im really concerned about previous concussions.

LTXtech.com is my Drug...

[jay97lt1]

Just a thought try taking some motion sickness meds next time you drive. I know if im riding and not watching where we are gonna I get light headed sometimes. Good Luck hope it works for you.

Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

[New2LT]

Is it ONLY with your Firebird?

[popo8]

Just a thought try taking some motion sickness meds next time you drive. I know if im riding and not watching where we are gonna I get light headed sometimes. Good Luck hope it works for you.

Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

Just be careful its not something that causes drowsiness.

LTXtech.com is my Drug...

[spikester7878]

Yea its only in my firebird, then again I havnt hopped into anyone else's modified car in a long time, but I have no issues with the cars I have been detailing, my DD and my gfs car.

[donfrye]

It's the shear euphoria and awesomeness of the LT1 penetrating your cerebral cortex. Relax and enjoy the "buzzed" feeling!!!!

I keed, I keed.

I would definitely entertain the seating position, mold, and emissions. After that, I would look make sure the windshield is completely clean and it isn't an eyesight issue causing a blur and accompanying dizziness/sickness. If it's not that, you can donate the car to me for evaluation.....

[spikester7878]

Ive come to the conclusion that it is something with the exhaust/emissions. I was just showing it off for a bit and just standing next to the car while it was idling. I know i need new headers and I am thinking about putting the cats back on. What else should I be thinking about that will help the exhaust not be so harsh

[blkchevyz]

cats will make a big difference.

[spikester7878]

any recommended cats? are the high-flows really worth it , or just a gimmick? Do they work as well as factory?

[blkchevyz]

i put a flowmaster cat on my gxp and performance wise i couldnt feel a difference with it on or off( i had an off road pipe in). granted that the butt dyno and no real evidence.

this is and the price is why i went with theirs.


http://youtu.be/OSMcHg_7eo4

[spikester7878]

Those look perfect, guess I will have to pick up two