Pontiac Repair: Grand Am lack of power in gear, vacuum leaks, cat converter

Question
I have a 92 Grand Am it has 242,000 miles on it and 60 on rebuilt engine and 30 on trans. i have just started having issues with car being very sluggish like it is not getting enough fuel. i just replaced fuel filter and pump. i cant find any vacuum leaks. (i used intake cleaner to locate any leaks. i did not hear any increase in rpm.) i have checked  plugs and the nipples from coils to plugs. the engine idles ok but when in gear it hesitates to get up to speed  if i am very light on throttle it will pick up and go but i can not get hard on the pedal or it bogs down again. and is always sluggish from a stop.

Answer
Hi Martin:

It sounds to me like the engine is not breathing right possibly a restricted exahaust. Possibly a partially plugged cat converter. disconnect the down pipe off the exhaust manifold to the cat converter. Give that a try. If not it could still be fuel issue when you do not have enough pressure or volume. I assume you have no service engine light on? I have ssen these cars with ground wire issues that cause all kins of goofy problems. the grouns on the front lower transmission bolt/stud corrode or even break off and cause O2 sensor problems but they usually sets codes. Just a few things to try. Good luck :)