Problem: Won't past 3K RPM. Help please!

[TTPrince]

I have an '87 turbo automatic. Ever since I got the car I have never been able to enjoy it's full potential because of this annoying mechanical problem because I do not have the experience to remedy it:

When I full gas the car will not push itself with noticable torque, at all. Rather, it will rattle, discharge bad odour and black smoke in the exhaust, and continue so, if kept pushing. (this happens less now, maybe 'cuz I know to avoid it). If I let off the gas and gas much less then the car will move but slowly and gradually, this was the only way to drive it, there was no way going fast with this one. On highways it was slow to reach appropriate speeds - very annoying!

I think these are worth mentioning:
-I have an aftermarket cat converter, not Toyota's.
-The head gaskets came with the replacement engine with 170KM on it. Now:230KM.
-One of my RX7 fanatic friend told me my turbo was leaking.

I'm thinking of making a monster out of this ride with a 5-speed (maybe getrag?) 1jz, after I got this problem solved.

Thanks
TT

[TcmaBoy]

A simple compression check will tell you if the rings, valves, and head gasket are intact. Are you consuming a lot of oil? Could be a bad turbo.

[Jeeves]

Will it physically not rev over 3,000 or it has a limiter there?

[TTPrince]

Good question. That reminds me, the car will not rev past 3,000 rpm while on drive but it will rev normally when in neutral.

[TTPrince]

as fo the limiter, I have no idea what that is and highly doubt there is one